The 2025 Do Son Traditional Buffalo Fighting Festival will take place from 22/9 to 7/10. The ceremonial portion includes traditional rituals such as the water procession, deity worship, sacrifice, and farewell to the deities.

The main event, the buffalo fighting competition, will begin at 7:30 AM on 30/9, featuring 16 buffaloes from various communal houses and temples in Do Son ward and Nam Do Son ward. The participating buffaloes have been carefully selected and undergone rigorous checks for health, temperament, and fighting ability.

This year's first-place prize has been increased to 100 million VND (an increase of 30 million VND compared to previous years), the second-place prize is 70 million VND, and two third-place prizes are worth 30 million VND each.

Two buffaloes compete at the 2023 Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival. Photo: Le Tan

As tickets to the main event are not for sale, the organizing committee will distribute 17,000 invitations. These invitations will primarily fulfill obligations to sponsors, with the remainder distributed to residents of Do Son and Nam Do Son wards through local neighborhood groups.

"These invitations are not for sale, and we will strictly monitor and reclaim them if any such activity occurs. Residents outside the two wards who wish to sponsor or support the festival can receive invitations," said Pham Hoang Tuan, Vice Chairman of the Do Son Ward People's Committee (UBND) and Head of the festival's organizing committee.

The budget for the 2025 Do Son Traditional Buffalo Fighting Festival is approximately 20 billion VND. This year, for the first time, the festival received 1.3 billion VND in support from the Hai Phong City People's Committee, with the remaining funds to be raised through sponsorships.

The organizing committee, with support from the Hai Phong City Police, will deploy nearly 500 officers and soldiers to ensure security and safety for the festival. A large LED screen will be set up for those unable to enter the arena to watch the event.

Furthermore, the slaughtering and sale of buffalo meat will be strictly controlled in a designated area to ensure no outside meat is mixed in. "Buffalo meat is a trademark of the festival, and the buffalo owners understand this and must comply," Tuan said.

The Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival originates from the worship of Diem Tuoc Dai Vuong, the deity of Do Son's mountains and waters. It has evolved over centuries, passed down through generations, and is deeply intertwined with the development of the Do Son region and its people.

After a period of suspension, the festival was revived in 1990 and has been held annually since. In 2012, the festival was recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.

Le Tan