TL;DR: The Đồ Sơn buffalo fighting festival takes place on the 9th day of the 8th lunar month annually, tied to the legend of a fairy watching buffaloes fight on the sea and the prosperity beliefs of coastal residents. The festival was restored in 1990 and recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, but it faces controversies over commercialization, betting and fatal accidents.
What is the Đồ Sơn buffalo fighting festival and when did it begin?
The Đồ Sơn buffalo fighting festival is a distinctive traditional festival of the coastal residents of Đồ Sơn (Hải Phòng), held on the 9th day of the 8th lunar month annually. It is not merely a contest between two buffaloes, but a cultural, religious and artistic activity reflecting the material and spiritual life of a coastal community. According to legend and hagiography, the festival dates back to around the 18th century, tied to beliefs in praying for prosperity and happiness for local people[1].
People of Đồ Sơn recount that on a full moon night in the 8th month, coastal residents saw a fairy intently watching two buffaloes fighting on silver waves[1]. Since then, the buffalo fighting festival became a spiritual cornerstone of Đồ Sơn life. The main festival time falls during the transition from the southward to the northward fishing season, when fishermen are idle and less likely to encounter storms. This shows the festival is closely tied to the rhythms of fishing communities.
A summary table of information about the Đồ Sơn buffalo fighting festival by time, rituals, and controversies.
| Timeline | Event | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Around the 18th century | The festival dates back to around the 18th century | Associated with the belief in praying for prosperity and happiness |
| The 9th day of the 8th lunar month every year | The festival is held | The festival portion takes place on this day |
| 1990 | The festival was restored | Recognized by the State as one of 15 national festivals |
| 2024 | Inscribed in the List of National Intangible Cultural Heritage | Inscribed by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism |
| Over the past 35 years | The festival has been continuously improved, expanded in scale, and elevated in quality | Preserving folk elements and traditional cultural values |
| July 1, 2017 | Buffalo No. 18 gored its owner to death in Vạn Hương ward | The buffalo showed unusual, aggressive behavior but was still allowed onto the competition field |
What is the origin and spiritual meaning of the Đồ Sơn buffalo fighting festival?
According to researchers, the Đồ Sơn buffalo fighting festival blends agricultural lowland culture with coastal culture. It links water deity worship with buffalo fighting and buffalo sacrifice rituals. The martial spirit shown from the ritual to the festive part is also the traditional cultural spirit of Vietnamese people through generations.
The festival carries the meaning of praying for "people in health, things in prosperity", commemorating the merits of deities, and maintaining village order[1]. In ancient belief, if a village's buffalo won, that village would have good luck, favorable weather, and safety at sea throughout the year. Notably, whether winning or losing, after the festival, all buffaloes are slaughtered to offer to heaven and earth, praying for good harvests. People believe that eating fighting buffalo meat during the festival brings good luck.
A unique point of the festival is the community spirit expressed in the proverb "Drums of all villages are beaten together, the saint of all villages is worshipped together". The saint worshipped by all villages is the superior deity "Điểm Tước Than Vuong", the tutelary god of the entire Đồ Sơn canton. When the festival begins, all localities participate.
What are the parts of the Đồ Sơn buffalo fighting festival?
The Đồ Sơn buffalo fighting festival consists of two main parts: the ritual and the festive part, interwoven.
Ritual part
The ritual part preserves traditional ceremonies with solemn rites[1]. It begins with the ceremony to worship Điểm Tước, followed by a procession of the bat cong palanquin, long dinh with fluttering divine flags, lively with bat am music leading the buffalo to pay respects to the village tutelary god. The ritual mainly takes place several days before the festive part, in a wondrous spiritual world.
Previously, the deity worship ceremony took place in all giap of Đồ Sơn canton with elaborate offerings and procedures[1]. Today, worship is organized in each ward and commune, mostly led by village elders, to pray for the sacred energy of rivers, mountains, heaven, earth and sea for victory in the buffalo fight the next day.
Festive part
The festive part takes place on the 9th day of the 8th lunar month with many activities rich in national identity[1]. The opening dance is performed by 24 young men of the village in two rows, both graceful and powerful, with flexible and mystical colors amid the sounds of drums and gongs.
The buffalo fighting day not only brings joy but is also an elaborate pursuit, from selecting, buying, raising to training buffaloes, all requiring perseverance and skill. The bravery and tenacity of the fighting buffalo symbolize the aspirations and spirit of the martial-spirited people of Đồ Sơn.
How was the Đồ Sơn buffalo fighting festival restored and recognized?
In 1990, the Đồ Sơn buffalo fighting festival was restored and recognized by the State as one of 15 national festivals[1]. The festival has unique cultural and belief values and is an attractive tourist destination. By 2024, the traditional Đồ Sơn buffalo fighting festival was inscribed by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List. This is an honor and a great responsibility for the authorities and people of Đồ Sơn district in preserving, conserving and developing the festival.
Over 35 years, the Đồ Sơn buffalo fighting festival has been continuously improved in scale and quality, while retaining folk elements and traditional cultural values left by ancestors. According to Professor Đặng Cảnh Khanh, Chairman of the Scientific Council of the Vietnam Heritage Foundation, overcoming difficulties and debates in scientific forums and practice, the Đồ Sơn buffalo fighting festival has survived and affirmed its spiritual cultural values. The festival not only expresses cultural values as part of the material and spiritual heritage of Đồ Sơn but also demonstrates community cohesion.
What are the modern controversies of the Đồ Sơn buffalo fighting festival?
Besides positive values, the Đồ Sơn buffalo fighting festival faces controversies and distortions in modern times.
Commercialization and fees
According to residents, over time, the festival organization has deviated from its original meaning, becoming commercialized. Many believe the organizers collect too many fees. Some buffalo owners say they had to pay many unreasonable fees to buy slots for their buffaloes. This erodes the community and spiritual meaning of the festival.
Betting and violence
The festival is also a place for disguised distortions, such as encouraging violence and betting[1]. Many buffalo fights are organized for gambling purposes. People without experience in training buffaloes can participate. Even buffaloes not meeting standards are still fought. A typical case occurred on July 1, 2017, when buffalo number 18 gored its owner to death in Vạn Hương ward. This buffalo showed abnormal, aggressive behavior but was still allowed into the arena. If the organizers had known, the accident would not have happened.
Slaughtering fighting buffaloes
The act of slaughtering fighting buffaloes and selling meat at exorbitant prices has stripped the festival of its good meaning. Today, many confuse "stadium buffalo fighting" with the buffalo fighting festival. The festival is held to understand the cultural traditions and martial spirit of ancestors. However, spectators at the stadium only care about winning and losing and buying buffalo meat at high prices without truly understanding these spiritual meanings.
Why is it hard to preserve the Đồ Sơn buffalo fighting festival?
Vice Chairman of the Đồ Sơn District People's Committee Pham Hoang Tuan, Head of the Festival Organizing Committee, said that despite positive support from ministries, sectors, city leaders, efforts of local party committees and authorities, and the dedication of many Đồ Sơn people, preserving and promoting the festival's values faces many obstacles. The organizers have implemented plans to mobilize funds from buffalo owners, individual and organizational donations, and cooperation with travel businesses. However, these revenue sources are unstable and increasingly scarce.
How should the Đồ Sơn buffalo fighting festival be preserved?
To preserve the cultural, spiritual and community values, organizers need to ban acts that encourage violence and illegitimate profiteering from the festival, while ensuring safe organization for spectators. According to Dr. Nguyễn Thị Hoài Phương (University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi), the Đồ Sơn buffalo fighting festival not only has cultural and spiritual significance but also contributes importantly to socio-economic development. Preserving and promoting the traditional cultural values of the festival is not only protecting a precious heritage but also investing in the cultural and economic future of the region.
Thus, the Đồ Sơn buffalo fighting festival is a unique cultural heritage, crystallizing the martial spirit and spiritual life of coastal residents. However, for the festival to retain its good meaning, strict management and cultural behavior from the whole community are needed, avoiding distortions that tarnish traditional values.
