Cheap flights to America

The Americas or America is a large continent, including North America and South America. The mainland of Americas lies in the Western Hemisphere, stretching from the North Pole to Sub-Antarctic. Being the most colorful continental landmasses in the world, America is always a wishing destination of tourists from Asia and other continents. Currently, there are many airlines operating routes from/to Americas. In traveling seasons, it is easy to book cheap flights to America of both main airlines and low-cost ones.

flights to America - sunset

Tourist attractions in America

Book cheap flights to America, you will have chances to explore new colorful and exciting horizons. Not just possessing natural wildlife beauty, vibrant and attractive Latin dances, Americas is also the convergence of skyscrapers in North America, colorful painted houses in South America, and diverse cultures from everywhere in the world. Let's take a look at some famous attractions in the Americas and note them for your next trip:

cheap flight to america - toronto skyline

Canada: Niagara Waterfall, Toronto City, Montreal City, Toronto's CN Tower, Canadian Rockies, Confederation Bridge, West Edmonton Mall, Long Beach, Hopewell Rocks, Banff National Park, Louise Lake...

Costa Rica: Arenal Volcano, La Paz Waterfall, Toruguero National Park, Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Manuel Antonio National Park, Teatro Nacional, Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph, Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, Savegre River, Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, Cocos Island...

Haiti: Barbancourt Rum Distillery, Citadelle Laferriere - World Heritage, Labadie Island, Musee de Guahaba, National Museum of Art, Acul Bay...

Mexico: Puerto Vallarta, Yucatán Peninsula, Oaxaca City, Copper Canyon, Palenque, La Bufadora, Lagunas de Montebello National Park, Chichen Itza - World Wonder, Isla Mujeres, Cabo San Lucas…

Cheap flight to New York - Statue of Liberty

United States: New York City, Wall Street, Broadway Theatre, Times Square, Statue of Liberty, Union Square Park, Empire State Building, Hollywood, Oceanfront Walk, Grauman’s Chinese Theater, Golden Gate Park, Golden Gate Bridge, Miami Beach, Lake Eola Park, Greater Orlando, Walt Disney World, Fremont Street, Las Vegas City, White House, Washington, D.C...

Argentina: Ibera Plain, Ushuaia City, Mendoza, Monte Fitz Roy, Tierra del Fuego, Valdes Peninsula, La Ribera, San Carlos de Bariloche, Tango Club in La Bora, Los Glaciares National Park, Perito Moreno Glacier, Iguazu Waterfall...

Bolivia: Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni Salt Flat), La Paz City, Titicaca Lake, Real Cordillera Mountain, Sorata Town, Copacabana, Yungas Road, Madidi Park, Cerro Rico, La Casa de la Libertad, Bolivia National Museum, Tiwanaku City...

Chile: Lago Puelo National Park, Patagonia, Ushuaia Road, Perito Moreno Glacier, Glacier National Park, Los Glaciares National Park, Nahuel Huapi National Park, Nahuel Huapi Lake, Tronador Mountain, Lauca Lake, Santiago - Capital of Chile, Patagonia Trade and Cultural Center, Government Building, San Francisco Church...

Colombia: Medellin City, Valparaíso City, Tierradentro National Park, Popayan Town, Villa Baviera, Bogotá - Capital of Colombia, Caño Cristales River, Chicamocha Canyon National Park, National Coffee Park, Gold Museum in Bogotá...

Cheap flights to America - Rio de Janeiro

Brazil: Ouro Preto, Amazon Theater, Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Olinda City, Salvador Beach, Pantanal, Rio de Janeiro, Amazon River, Amazon River, Iguazu Waterfall, Praia do Toque Beach, Jericoacoara Beach...

Cuba: Malecón Coastal area, Havana City, Teatro Nacional de Cuba (Cuban National Theater), Casa de la Musica, Cayo Coco Beach, Varadero Beach, Museum of the Revolution, Santo Thomas Caves, Las Terrazas Biosphere Reserve, Bellamar Cave, Isle of Youth...

Ecuador: Galapagos National Park, Andes Mountains, Galapagos Archipelago, Galápagos Marine Reserve, Quito Capital, San Francisco Church, Banco Central National Museum, Amazons Boulevard, Ciudad Museum, Tortuga Bay, Iglesia de la Compañia de Jesus, Playa Espumilla Beach, Jardon Botanical Gardens, Charles Darwin Research Center...

Jamaica: Nine Mile Village, Oracabessa Town,  Golden Eyes Beach, Ian Fleming's House, Dunn River Waterfall, Black River, Martha Brae River, Seven Mile Beach, Fonthill beach, Elizabeth St Natural Reserve, Treasure Beach, Jake resort, Montego Bay, Bob Marley Museum, Kingston Capital...

Cheap flights to America - Beach Florida

Panama: Panama City, Casco Viejo Old Street, Aquarium Museum, Pozos de los Caldera Waterfall, David City, Santiago City, Panama Cannal, Amazon Scenic Area...

Peru: Machu Picchu City, Cusco Cit, Sacred Valley, Titicaca Lake, beaches in Piura, Mancora Beach, Punta Sal Beach, Andes Mountains, Tumbes Beach, Chachapoyas City, Colca Canyon, Arequipa City...

Paraguay: Asuncion Capital, Asuncion Museum, José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia Museum, Museum of Art, Yaguarón Old Town, Parliament House, Gran Chaco Ecological area, Ciudad del Este Town, Encarnacion City, Iguaçu Waterfall...

Uruguay: Colonia del Sacramento, Montevideo Capital, Rambla Beach, Sugar Loaf Mountain, Puerta de la Ciudadela Square, Rocha Beach, Piriapolis, Cabo Pilonio Fishing Village.

Popular airports in America

Click here to view airports in America

Cheap flight to San Francisco International Airport

Popular airlines in America and fly to America

Flight to San Francisco International Airport

Major airlines are operating flights within America including Aeroméxico, Air Canada, Air Canada Express, American Airlines, American Eagle, Cubana, Delta Air Lines, United Express, Sunwing Airlines, Air Panama, Avianca Costa Rica, Copa Airlines Colombia, Copa Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, Sunrise Airways, SALSA d'Haïti, Aeroméxico Connect, Interjet, Aerolíneas Argentinas, Gol Transportes Aéreos, TAM Airlines, TAM Airlines Paraguay, LAN Argentina, Línea Aérea Amaszonas, Boliviana de Aviación, Avianca Brazil, LAN Colombia, LAN Ecuador, LAN Perú, Sky Airline, Avianca, Aerogaviota, Cubana de Aviación, Aerogal, Fly Jamaica Airways, and Avianca Peru. Passengers can choose one of these airlines which will provide the best price for your journey. Air Canada, American Airlines, American Eagle, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, TAM Airlines, American Eagle are airlines having the most flights in Americas.

Famous international airlines having cheap flights to North East Asia are Air China, British Airways, Lufthansa, KLM, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines, SkyGreece Airlines, Air France, Air Berlin, Air Europa, Air India, All Nippon Airways, Alitalia, Asiana Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Cathay Pacific, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, China Airlines, EgyptAir, Etihad Airways, Finnair, Icelandair, Japan Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Qatar Airways, Ukraine International Airlines, XL Airways France, Transaero Airlines Thomas Cook Airlines, South African Airways.

Popular flights to America

cheap flights to america - China Southern Airlines Boeing 777

Presently, there are many cheap direct flights to America, mostly to United States, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Cuba, and Uruguay. Flights from Vietnam to America departing from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City will have a transit at one of airports in Asia or Europe. Popular direct flights to Chicago, New York, Havana, Rio de Janeiro, San Francisco, Washington, Montréal, Québec, Mexico are from India, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, United Emirates, Arabia Saudi, Qatar, Australia, UK, France, Germany, Russia, Italy, Austria, Czech, Switzerland, and Turkey... There are many connecting flights from Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh to Chicago, New York, Havana, Rio de Janeiro, San Francisco, Washington, Montréal, Québec, Mexico, and Havana… And, flights from America to Vietnam are also connecting flights with one stop or multiple stops operated by these above mentioned airlines.

Other useful information

- Climate in Americas is suitable to travel at any time during a year.

- Tourists should change the destination's currency before the journey, to use services more easily.

- Tourists should pay attention to giving tip culture. In US and Canada, you may spend about 15 - 20% per bill for tips. Some countries in South America such as Argentina and Brazil, the tip (about 10%) will be added in your bills.

- Popular means of transportation in America are plane, taxi, metro, subway, and bus...

- When shopping in big malls, prices are listed, so tourists should not try to bargain. You can seek stores having sales or promotion to buy cheap items.

Vietnam Airlines Business class plays golf for free

Not just improving the quality of flights, Vietnam Airlines also proves its profession of a reputable national airline when launching a special promotion towards the ultimate benefit of customers. Recently, the airline brings many surprises to Business class when giving them meaningful presents.

vietnam airlines

Vietnam Airlines preferential policies

According to the official announcement of Vietnam Airline, passengers of Business class on VietnamAirlines flights to Nha Trang, Phu Quoc will receive special incentives:

- Free of charge for using a golf course of 18 holes during September 2015

- 50% discount charge (on public rate) of using a golf course from October to December 2015

Conditions:

- Boarding pass has the validity of 05 days to play golf since the date of departure.

- Customers have to show their valid boarding passes and personal documents at the resception desk of Vinpearl Golf Course.

- Boarding passes of VietnamAirlines flights to Nha Trang are only used at Vinpearl Golf Nha Trang. Those in flights to Phu Quoc are used at Vipearl Golf Phu Quoc.

- The promtion of Vietnam Airways is not combined with other programs or promotional packages of VinGroup.

This is a great chances for Vietnam Air customers to experience ralaxing moments at international golf courses in Vietnam. Besides, Vietnam Airlines Business class will have chance to take rest after a busy meeting day in Nha Trang or Phu Quoc.

Vinpearl Golf Phu Quoc

vietnam airlines to Phu Quoc

Vinpearl Golf Phu Quoc has an area of over 100ha. The golf course is designed in the model of famous sea – island golf courses in the world with beautiful natural landscapes. Being designed uniquely, taking the maximum advantages of natural landscapes and seascapes, Vinpearl Golf Phu Quoc is an attractive course for golfers to challenge themselves and mark scores over their competitors. In addition, Vinpearl Golf Phu Quoc is the convergence of full equipment to meet all demand of a holiday with luxur 5-star hotels, opulent villas, large swimming pool, elegant Vincharm Spa system, and an amusement park seen as “Phu Quoc Disneyland”.

Vinpearl Golf Nha Trang

vietnam airlines to Nha Trang

With an advantage of being located in Hon Tre Island in Nha Trang, one of the most beautiful bays in the world, international 18-hole golf course in Nha Trang will be an ideal place to bring interesting experiences to fans of the noble sport. Vinpearl Golf Nha Trang has a featured design, perfect services, also a series of luxury restaurants, resorts, amusement park... bringing wonderful holidays to passengers.

Vietnam Airlines fleet ready to use B787 and A350

From April 2015, Vietnam Airlines fleet will be renewed by B787 and A350. The airline will be the first airlines in Asia receiving and exploiting two latest advanced aircrafts. It also upgrades quality of services and change new brand identity.




Boeing 787

Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner are two saving-energy aircrafts in new Vietnam Airlines fleet with medium size with the capability in long-haul routes. The two reputable brands are making their attempt to become the world biggest aircraft manufacturer. The aircrafts assembled to meet demands of international long-haul flights are flighting to gain market share in Paris Air Show. They are two rivals of each other for a long time. European aircraft manufacturer - Airbus and Boeing the United States once again become the focus of attention.


Bloomberg gives some criteria to compare two brands of aircraft manufacturers. On the starting price, the Airbus A350 is priced from US $ 245.5 million, while the Boeing 787 has a slightly lower price: US $243.6 million. The Airbus can carry up to 314 passengers, while the maximum in Dreamliner is 290 Dreamliner. But the average number of passengers that both of them can carry is 270. About the length of route, Airbus can fly more than 15,600km without energy provided, while Boeing is slightly better with 50km. All two types of aircrafts have the speed of 900km/h, equal to 85% speed of sound. This means, in flights from New Jersey (US) to Singapore, it takes about 17 hours, less than 1 hour and a half compared with other currently commercial aircrafts. By dint of using lightweight composite materials, aircrafts use less fuel. Airbus has 30% of the structure using composite materials, while Dreamliner use half of the structure.



A350 Vietnam Airlines

Mr. Pham Ngoc Minh - Vice General Director of Vietnam Airlines said, "During over the next 3 years from 2015, VNA will renovate all fleet with wide body aircrafts of Airbus 350 and Boeing 787-9. This is an important breakthrough, which helps the airline modernize and improve the quality of service, contribute to the development of long-term goal of becoming one of top leading airlines in South East Asia.

After VN Airlines issues the video and images about two new aircrafts of Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A350 XWB on Youtube and Facebook, there are new schedules of two aircrafts on domestic routes. Previously, there are only Boeing 787-9 in flights to London from July and Airbus A350 XWB in flights to Paris and Seoul since October. For many who love to experience new planes of Vietnam Airlines, the opportunity to get on the aircraft is not high. However, for domestic flights, it is easier. At the beginning of last month, two new Vietnam Airlines domestic flights released are implemented by Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A350 XWB in routes between Hanoi andHo Chi Minh City... Accordingly, Boeing 787-9 will fly in this routes from early June and Airbus A350 XWB will start from early July.



Boeing 787 Dreamliner Vietnam Airlines

Besides, it is expected that at the end of this month (March 2015), Vietnam Airlines will announce to have its exploitation at Heathrow Airport (London - UK). Accordingly, passengers of Vietnam Airlines travel from/to London (UK) will conduct check-in procedures, baggage and boarding at Heathrow Terminal 4, instead of Gatwick Airport, the current airport operated by Vietnam Airline. At the London Heathrow Airport, VNA will increase the frequency of 4 flights / week up to 5 flights / week, including 3 flights between Hanoi – London, and 3 flights between Ho Chi Minh City and London.

Traveling Nha Trang to explore fabulous undersea world

Being voted as one of the most beautiful bays in the world, Nha Trang possesses two well-known attractions as Tri Nguyen Aquarium and Hon Mun Marine Park. Tri Nguyen Aquarium is a tourist area with various marine fauna and flora system, while Hon Mun Marine Park is an ideal stopover to dive and discover interesting things under the seabed. These two attractions are places where visitors and researchers can find the most diverse marine system. Let’s make your exploration of the charming bay and fabulous undersea world reachable by booking flights to Nha Trang with AloTrip – the best prices will be guarenteed.

Tri Nguyen Aquarium Nha Trang

Towards the south, about 2km from Nha Trang beach, Tri Nguyen Aquarium is situated in Tri Nguyen Island. Coming here, tourists will have a chance to explore the seabed with a diverse marine creature system such as sharks, coral reefs, sea turtle, sea horse, and sea anemones... In addition, tourists can visit other islands, join in camping, fishing, and drop by Nha Trang fishing village... Entering Tri Nguyen Aquarium Nha Trang, tourists seem to be lured into a palace under the sea with strange but attractive marine creatures. There some species of fish that you will never know and see if not coming here. For example, male sea horses get pregnant and give births, elegant Japanese carp, Napoleon plaice, or Picasso fish... Here is a miniature of the ocean.

There are two types of fish lakes here: outdoor and indoor, the former is bigger than the latter. Indoor lake is the home to small species of fish which is expensive than bigger ones. They are aquarium fish with unique colors. The most featured lake in Tri Nguyen Aquarium is the Third Lake. Meanwhile, most tourists, especially children prefer the Fourth Lake where they can see many species of fishing under the water. In Nha Trang tours to the aquarium, tourists also have a chance to visit an opencast aquarium and take part in fishing for leisure.

Hon Mun Island Nha Trang

Not far from Tri Nguyen Aquarium, there is a beautiful beach called Bai Soi (Pebble Beach). Unlike other beaches in Nha Trang, Bai Soi does not white sandy fields, but pebbles fields running to the coastal. Bai Soi Beach remains intact with a striking beauty. Behind, it is a primitive beach with many old trees and various plants. Here is an ideal place to make camps overnight and enjoy exciting activities. From here, there are tours taking visitors to islands in Nha Trang and pop in Nha Trang fishing village to taste delicious local dishes.

Nha Trang is not just famous for wonderful turquoise water beaches, but also impressive with island tours, especially tours to Hon Mun Island, about 45 minutes traveling by cano from the main land. Hon Mun Island Nha Trang is an amazing pictursque natural scenery with a series of other smaller islands such as Hon Mieu Island, Hon Tre Island, Hon Cau Island, Hon Vung Island, Hon Rom Island, and Hon Ngoc Island... Beaches in Hon Mun is characterized by clear turquoise waters all year round.

TRI NGUYEN AQUARIUM

The island is also famous for Hon Mun Marine Park – the most important and largest scale reserve in Vietnam. The park possesses the most diverse coral reefs in Vietnam with up to 1500 species. Coming here, tourists have a chance to choose some options of diving to admire the undersea world. The simplest way is diving with goggles and the fins. By this way, tourists can wandering along the coastal area, contemplate the beautiful world of coral and aquarium fish near the bank. Tourists can get on boat at any time they want. Another way is diving with a scuba to move deeper the seabed and “communicate” with various marine creatures. With a water-proof flashlight, you will have the opportuinity to see living things in the dark. It is no doubt that you will not want to come back to your boat when joining the “exploration”.

Hon Mun Marine Park

Visiting Tri Nguyen Aquarium and diving in Hon Mun Marin Park are two most interesting things to do in Nha Trang. Not just having a chance to admire the natural diversity of the wonderful bay, but also experience great times when luring into the marine world. What are you thinking to end your summer vacation now? Why not travel Nha Trang and try these wonderful experiences.

Vietnam Airlines promotes cheap flights to Phu Quoc

Dubbed as the Pearl Island, Phu Quoc is the largest island of Vietnam, located in the Gulf of Thailand, Kien Giang province. Phu Quoc has long become the popular destination for domestic and foreign tourists. Phu Quoc not only is a gorgeous island but also contains many mysteries appealing any tourists. On the 70-year anniversary of National Day, passengers will have the opportunity to own cheapVietnam Airline tickets to Phu Quoc with different time. Vietnam Airlines cheap flights to Phu Quoc will land at Phu Quoc International Airport located in Phu Quoc Island district. From Phu Quoc International Airport, tourists can book flights to Tan Son Nhat Airport (Saigon); Rach Gia Airport (Kien Giang); Can Tho Airport; Ca Mau Airport and Lien Khuong International Airport.

cheap flights to Phu Quoc

Currently, passengers can book tickets to Phu Quoc of Vietnam Airlines. Some airlines in South East Asia, Europe and Russia are investigating to open some routes linking Phu Quoc International Airport with Russia, Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and other countries in Northeast Asia. Currently, domestic Vietnam Airlines tickets to Phu Quoc are operated from Hanoi with the frequency of 2 flights every day, from Ho Chi Minh City with the frequency of 8 flights per day. Please be advised that airfares at weekend are more expensive than weekday.  

Nature has bestowed on Phu Quoc harmonious scenery, cool climate year round. Additionally, Phu Quoc owns stunning beaches, turquoise water, fine white sandy beaches... It promises to give tourists a great holiday. Travel to Phu Quoc, besides immersed into cool beaches, tourists can participate in extremely interesting activities.  

The night falls down makes whole Phu Quoc Island becomes quiet, yet the life of the fishermen at the sea becomes much more hustling with twinkling lights. It is the high time to experience the interesting relaxing moments at sea among the boundless night. Dinh Cau Night Market is central to shopping, dining and visiting for tourists as well as locals. The night market sells full specialties in Phu Quoc as fresh seafood, snacks or street food.

Cheap flight to sao beach phu quoc

Another activity that tourists should not ignore when traveling Phu Quoc is diving to contemplate the colorful coral reef. An Thoi Island in the south or Mong Tay Island, Doi Moi Island and Thay Boi Island in the north are ideal destinations to explore the ocean. 

Passengers who want to book flights to Phu Quoc only need to access to http://www.vietnamairlines.travel/ and give specific schedule, flight time; we will book cheap flights to Phu Quoc for passengers. In addition to committing to sell tickets at prices that the airline launched, we also support advice on the journey, the procedures and answer questions in order to bring customers the most convenient itinerary. Do not hesitate to visit Vietnamairlinestickets.com and book Air Vietnam ticket to Phu Quoc soon. 

Vietnam Airlines special deal fares promotion

During the time from now to mid-2016, there are many Vietnam Airlines special deal fares sold. These promotions are applied to both Vietnamdomestic flights and international flights. Major destinations of domestic routes are Hanoi, Vinh, Nha Trang, Dalat, and Ho Chi Minh City. Meanwhile, cheapVietnam Airline tickets are sold in international routes to/from Bangkok, London, Paris, Manila, Sydney, and Melbourne...

vietnam airlines tickets

By virtue of booking cheap flightsto Vietnam, customers can save more their travel expense. What is more wonderful than possessing cheap airfares to travel the wishing destinations and being served by a reputable airline?

From late December 2015 and early January 2016, many cheap Vietnam Airline fares are sold in flights from Shanghai to Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao/ Phu Quoc, Ho Chi Minh City to London, Hanoi to Siem Reap (just from 48USD – 359USD, round trip), Singapore to Hanoi (99USD, round-trip)… along with other cheap tickets of different routes. It is ensured that all fares in the VietnamAirlines website are best prices guaranteed.

Each day there will have cheap e tickets for different routes provided to customers. It is easy to search these special deal fares on the Vietnam Airlines booking system. With just a few simple clicks, the list of cheapest fares appear immediately in front of your eyes. Customers can easily search their routes by entering some basic necessary information about departure and destination, number of passengers, and promotion code (if any). After finishing the booking, customers will receive a Vietnam Airlines reservation code which is used to get on flights, or used in cases of change or cancellation.

Vietnam airlines boeing 787-9

In addition, to get more benefits and more saving, book cheap Vietnam Airlines flights from now to late December 2015, customers have a chance to save 20USD/passengers on their booking. For foreign tourists, vietnamairlines.travel also provides them with VOA (Vietnam Visa on Arrival). You use “Approval Letter” to get Vietnam Visa stamped at the international airport (Da Nang, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh) upon arrival, instead of getting at Vietnam Embassy. "Approval Letter" is an official and legitimate letter from Vietnam Immigration Department to allow you on board and get Visa at Vietnam airport. More information, visit http://www.vietnamvisa.alotrip.com/

vietnam airline airbus a350

If you catch a Special Deal and a VOA, you will have a chance to get a discount up to about 60%. If you make an early reservation with us, on any date you will be provided with a FREE VOA, follow the instruction:

- Book flight and pay successfully

- Receive “Promotion Code” and follow the link given

- Apply for VOA

- Click on FREE VOA

- Get “Approval Letter” after 2 working days

Please note that, customers have to pay for tickets before VOA application; Visa type is 1 month single/multiple entry; applicants are as same as passengers; and “Approval Letter” once issued cannot be amended.

Horse fighting festival in Ha Giang

Horse fighting is a traditional festival in Ha Giang. The restoration of the horse fighting festival in Ha Giang has contributed to preserve the tradition of Tay ethnic people and create a unique festival attracting tourists to Ha Giang Plateau.

As a Southern district of Ha Giang province, lying along National Highway No.2 and 60km away from Ha Giang city, Bac Quang district covers a total area of 109,873.69 ha, and consists of 23 communes. Bac Quang is home to 19 ethnic groups, in which Tay ethnic people make up 50% of the district’s population; Kinh people 25%; and ither ethnic groups like Nung, Dao, Cao Lan, San Chi, Thai and Muong, the remaining 25%. Each ethnic group has distinctive customs, practices and cultural peculiarities, which makes Bac Quang district in particular and Ha Giang province in general stand out.

Apart from unique festivals, such as the festival to pray for good crops, the celebration of the new rice, the rite of maturity of Dao and Nung ethnic people, and traditional “then” singing of Tay ethnic people, Bac Quang is famous for the unique horse fighting festival of Tay ethnic people in Banh Hanh commune. The border province of Ha Giang, especially its mountainous districts, has many difficulties in traffic. Thus, the house has long been employed to serve life of people in Ha Giang.

In unfavorable transport conditions, the horse is the most popular means of transport. Girls and guys travel to the market by horses. Horses help the locals carry goods, maize and rice home. As for people in mountainous areas, the horse is the most familiar animal. As thought by Vietnamese people, the horse is a very strong, highly durable animal that can run very fast. Thus, there are many horse races across the country such as the horse race in Bac Ha, Lao Cai, and the Thi Thung mound horse race in Phu Yen. But the first horse fighting festival was held in Bang Hanh commune, Bac Quang district, on August 17 – 18, 2013.

The festival, the first of its kind, was warmly welcomed and supported by the local authorities and local people. From early morning, people in Bang Hanh commune and from neighboring areas flock to Thuy Lam Vien ecotourism site to attend the first unique horse fighting festival. 30 horses competing at this year’s festival are divided into 15 pairs. Owners of the horses come from communes in Trong Con zone and other districts in the province, as well as the neighboring districts of Lam Binh, Na Hang and Ham Yen of Tuyen Quang, Bac Ha district of Lao Cai and Luc Yen district of Yen Bai. These carefully selected horses are very strong and have good tricks.

Earlier horse fighting was part of folk festivals of Tay ethnic people in Bang Hanh. It fell into oblivion. Organizing this year’s festival is a good way to preserve and promote striking features of the local ethnic culture, enrich the locals’ cultural and spiritual life, and especially preserve and develop precious genes of domestic animals in Bac Quang. This is also a good way to encourage the locals to develop husbandry.

Pairs of horses fight against each other. The wining horses are selected for the final round. Two horses bite, kick and bump into each other until one of them gets out of the fixed circle. Before the matches start, the horses are numbered and cared. The female horse makes matches more thrilling. It becomes the reason for the fight. The two male horses try hard to show off their power and conquer the female one. This is a good way to provoke the fighting horses.

On normal days these horses are good friends of farmers. In the fighting site, they are brave competitors that pose stunning tricks to capture attention and arouse eagerness among viewers. It can be said that this unique event of Bang Hanh commune can be found nowhere else. A section of forests resound with the applause and cheers of the crowd when fighting horses start a match. This makes the match more thrilling. On normal days, they are good-natured pack horses. But in matches, they give double kicks and bite their rivals to defeat them. After 4 rounds within 2 days, the organizing board selects the best two horses for the final match.

In the end, the first prize goes to the horse No. 2 owned by Vu Van Phu from Ham Yen district, Tuyen Quang. The horse fighting festival in Bang Hanh commune is organized to promote Ha Giang tourism. More importantly, it is aimed at preserving the local ethnic culture, and developing the local herd of horses for economic purpose. This is also a striking cultural feature that should be preserved and promoted.

After the festival closes, the horses come back to daily life, helping their owners in production. It can be said that the horse has become an indispensable part in the people’s life in the mountainous areas. That explains why horses are always cared and loved by everyone. With the aim of promoting fine features of the annual horse fighting festival in Bang Hanh commune, following the success of the first festival, people care for the horses in a special way, with greater attention to their food, practices and bath.

After the success of the first horse fighting festival in Bang Hanh commune, the horse seems to play a more important role in local life. It is hoped that the next horse fighting festivals organized on the 15th day of the 1st and 7th lunar months every year, will bring wonderful moments to the locals and tourists, making a contribution to preserving and promoting unique features of Vietnamese folk festivals.

Source: VTC10 - NETVIET