Elephant racing festival in the Central Highlands is a traditional festival of ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands, Vietnam. This festival is usually held in March every year, after the harvest season and before the planting season. The elephant racing festival is an opportunity for villages to show off the strength, agility and courage of their domestic elephants.
1. The meaning of this festival
Elephant racing festival has many meanings for people of Central Highlands, including
– Shows the strength of the villages: Elephants are considered a symbol of the strength of the villages. The elephant race is an opportunity for villages to show their strength and solidarity.
– Pray for a good harvest: People in the Central Highlands believe that the shouting of elephants will bring luck and a good harvest.
– Honoring traditional culture: Elephant racing festival is part of the traditional culture of the Central Highlands people. Through festivals, people can preserve and pass on their cultural values to the next generation.
2. When does it start?
The Elephant Racing Festival typically takes place over several days in March or April, coinciding with the Lunar New Year celebrations. It features a series of thrilling races held in vast rice fields or open meadows.
3. How does this festival take place?
Elephant racing festival usually takes place for 2 days.
– Day 1: The elephants are lavishly decorated with colorful robes and silver necklaces.
The village elders will hold a ceremony to worship the elephant god and pray for the race to go smoothly.
– Day 2: The elephant race officially takes place. The elephants will run along a track about 1 km long. The elephant rider must both control the elephant to run fast and shout to cheer the elephant. The elephant that reaches the finish line first will be awarded a prize.
4. Special features of this festival
Elephant racing festival in the Central Highlands attracts tourists with the following unique features, including
– Mighty elephants: The elephants participating in the festival are well-trained elephants with incredible strength and agility.
– Traditional costumes: Elephant riders and village elders.
Apply for Vietnam visa
If you are a foreigner who wants to come to Vietnam to Discover Elephant Racing Festival here, you need to apply for a Vietnam visa. Check this list to see if your nationality is eligible for a Vietnam visa
Currently, there are 3 common ways to apply for a Vietnam visa
– Vietnam Embassy/ Consulate.
– Vietnam visa on arrival (VOA).
To find out more details about how to apply for Vietnam tourist visa, please follow this article: How to Apply for Vietnam Tourist Visa