Water buffalo, not bull, fights in Vietnam
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Different from bull fighting in Spain where the animals are trained for the specific job, fighting water-buffalos in Vietnam are not professional fighters as they perform their daily job of ploughing on rice field.
They are only turned out to be fighters for a couple of days during festivals held in the first month of a year on lunar calendar for entertainment.
Traditionally, buffalo fighting in Vietnam was originated from annual contest to select strongest animals for ploughing in villages, said culture researcher Tran Ngoc Them.
The tradition has been observed till now and so, fights are held at different venues in the nation in the season of festivals during the first lunar month.
Arena for such a fight is an open place on rice field after harvest, or in the middle of stadium. It is rimmed by a low hedge made by wooden sticks available in rural places.
Only two fighting buffalos and their owners are allowed to step into the arena. Viewers stand outside.
Following are images of a buffalo fight in Hai Luu Commune in the northern province of Vinh Phuc.
After knocking out rival, the winning buffalo will be blinded with the flag available at the fight to cool down his rage before taking the tame animal home
