"They are typically seen peacefully wallowing in mud—the silent, powerful workhorses of Vietnam’s rice fields. But over the weekend, the buffaloes of Doi Tin in Ninh Binh Province, northern Vietnam, are rewarded for their toil by being painted in a stunning array of colours. Footage captured on Sunday at the annual Tich Dien Festival shows the unique buffalo painting competition underway, as artists transform these gentle giants into living works of art. The artists and farmers use dazzling shades of saffron yellow, electric pink, royal blue, and vibrant green, with some decorations featuring horses to celebrate the Year of the Horse. “I found the festival atmosphere to be incredibly lively. Although it had been raining since morning, many people still came and had a wonderful time,” Thu Ha remarked. “Every time I participate in a buffalo decoration drawing competition, I find it delightful. I get to create in a field setting filled with a fantastic atmosphere," explained Dang Khac Thiem. "Decorating the buffaloes is also very special; it's different from drawing on a traditional canvas.” “We usually select materials that are easy to use and friendly to the buffalo's skin and fur. The most commonly used material is acrylic. After the competition, the owner can easily bathe the buffalo, ensuring that it does not affect them in any way,” he continued. More than just a competition, the event serves as a tribute to honour the animals that have cultivated Vietnam’s fields for centuries. Since the Spring of 2009, the Doi Son Tich Dien Festival has been celebrated at Doi Tin field—the rice paddies where, more than 1,000 years ago, King Le Dai Hanh performed the Tich Dien ploughing ceremony at the beginning of spring, to promote a bountiful harvest."