Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival

Lễ hội Chọi trâu Đồ Sơn

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Sports & AdventureDo Son

DatesDates TBA · Usually AugustCheck locally before booking

DurationAnnualEstimate from available data

Crowd-Public scale varies

Best forCompetition, enduranceUnlike simple animal spectacle, the festival

LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: VND

CategorySports & AdventureFestival type

The story

Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival in Do Son

Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival brings thousands to the Do Son stadium in Hai Phong on the ninth day of the eighth lunar month, a tradition dating to the 18th century that pairs Water God worship with staged buffalo combat rooted in a local drought-ending legend.

Since the 18th century, on the ninth day of the eighth lunar month, the stadium at Do Son in Hai Phong City has filled with spectators for a festival unlike most others in Vietnam's coastal calendar: a ritualized buffalo fighting competition tied to the worship of the Water God.

Your trip starts here

What is special

The part that makes it specific.

The place changes

Unlike simple animal spectacle, the festival is tied to the Hien Sinh custom and a Water God worship ceremony rooted in a local legend of two buffalos fighting on storm-tossed waves to end a drought

The mystery stays covered

Competing buffalos undergo months of selection and training beginning in the fifth and sixth lunar months, and are dressed in red cloth with red-banded horns before entering the ring, escorted by young men in red who dance and wave flags

The city starts moving

The festival has run officially since the 18th century, giving it a continuity rare among Vietnam's coastal festivals, and now draws both local residents and a growing number of domestic and international tourists

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival stems from the Hien Sinh custom and Water God worship

Water and renewal

Living ritual

rooted in a legend describing two buffalos fighting amid crashing waves

The sacred route

Living ritual

after which rain finally fell to end a severe drought

The local code

Living ritual

Buffalo selection and training over several months before the event reflects a serious ritual investment by participating villages

Tradition 5

Living ritual

not casual competition

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually August

Getting around

For Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival, plan transport around the exact Do Son venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Casual, comfortable clothing suited to a stadium crowd in late summer or early autumn heat and humidity typical of coastal Hai Phong in the eighth lunar month.

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival, stay near the part of Do Son you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

VND

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map20.71 N, 106.79 E Open in Google Maps

Do Son, Hai Phong, Vietnam

Nearest airportHPH — Cat Bi

TransportFor Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival, plan transport around the exact Do Son venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

Stay areaFor Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival, stay near the part of Do Son you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Do Son via local transport.Search routes Find a place to stayStays near Do Son, close enough for the event-day route.Browse stays Find flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for August.Compare fares Festival gearCasual, comfortable clothing suited to a stadium crowd in late summer or early autumn heat and humidity typical of coastal Hai Phong in the eighth lunar month.Shop the kit Check visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Vietnam and apply online.Check entry rules Travel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival?

Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival is listed for August. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Do Son, Vietnam. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Annual is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Do Son, Hai Phong, Vietnam

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLvietnam.vn

Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →

SourceSource link available

Listed datesDates TBA · Usually August

Source statusOfficial source linked

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →

Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival

Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival in Do Son

The part that makes it specific.

The place changes

The mystery stays covered

The city starts moving

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Water and renewal

The sacred route

The local code

Tradition 5

Essential information

When to go

Getting around

What to wear

Safety

Where to stay

Tickets/cost

Language/currency

Family friendly

Do Son, Hai Phong, Vietnam

Your Trip Starts Here

Quick answers.

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

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