Contestants made the kites themselves. Some kites “carried” verses.

This spectator is a student from the Hanoi Technology and Business University.

These special-shaped kites are for performance only.

Three men operate a kite: two control the kite, one releases the string.

Pham Hong Nham, who has won many kite flying prizes, said that wind is the decisive factor: The kite string may be broken in strong wind while a kite can’t fly with little wind.

The kite that flies highest and has flute sound wins VND450,000.

Many kites are at a thousand metres high.

Many fall to the ground several times before they can fly high.