On July 19, the Phong Coc Ward People's Committee had the festival with a rice planting competition.

The festival comes from old ceremonies to start and thank for farming.

This year's festival was on July 18 and 19.

Villagers met early in the rice fields for the planting ritual and contest.

They prayed to the God of Agriculture for good weather and harvests, then planted the first seeds.

The farming season starts after this ritual.

The person doing the ritual must meet traditional rules.

Ten women farmers competed in the planting contest.

They wore traditional clothes and planted seeds in rows with music and cheers.

Before the contest, farmers got their seed bundles.

One contestant, Le Thi Sau, practiced to show her farming skills.

The rice used was strong and good for the weather.

Ha Nam Island is protected by sea dikes and has many residents.

The contestants were the best rice planters on the island.

The island has many traditional festivals, including the rice planting one.

The festival shows Vietnam's farming heritage and community solidarity.

In 2024, the festival was recognized as Vietnam's cultural heritage.

Farmers still have the competition to honor earlier generations.

The festival is one of the island's best traditions.

Pham Cong