The program was organized by the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports in coordination with the People's Committee of Long Bien Ward and the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Association, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the tug-of-war ritual and game being recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

In his opening speech, comrade Nguyen Manh Ha, Party Secretary, Chairman of the People's Council of Long Bien Ward ( Hanoi City) emphasized: "In Vietnam, tug of war is not only a folk game, but also a sacred religious ritual, associated with gods symbolizing strength, compassion and protection of nature. Every festival season, the cry of "tug of war" is the sound of joy, the echo of the desire to control water, prevent floods, pray for national peace and prosperity, favorable weather, and bountiful crops. The program "Exchange and performance of representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity - tug of war rituals and games" is both a heritage performance activity and an open cultural forum between regions in the country and promotes international cultural connections".

The participation of international tug-of-war communities (Korea, Cambodia and the Philippines) brings a close and exciting atmosphere of exchange. This is an opportunity for people of all countries to preserve the common heritage of humanity and promote global cultural cooperation. At the event, the launching ceremony of the Vietnam Tug-of-war Heritage Community Network took place.

Participating in the tug of war ritual and game practice program, Vietnam has 8 tug of war communities, including: Tran Vu temple sitting tug of war (Long Bien ward, Hanoi), Xuan Lai mine tug of war (Da Phuc commune, Hanoi), Ngai Khe mine tug of war (Chieu My commune, Hanoi), Huong Canh river tug of war (Binh Nguyen commune, Phu Tho province), Huu Chap tug of war (Kinh Bac ward, Bac Ninh province), Tay people's tug of war (Bao Nhai commune, Lao Cai province), Hoa Loan tug of war (Vinh Thanh commune, Phu Tho province), Phu Hao village tug of war (Vi Khe ward, Ninh Binh province).

Ritual at the temple. Photo: HOA LU
The ritual of the tug-of-war team sitting at Tran Vu temple. Photo: HOA LU
Delegates attending the program. Photo: HOA LU
Launching the Executive Board of the Vietnam Tug of War Heritage Community Network. Photo: HOA LU
The tug-of-war team from Tran Vu temple came out to compete. Photo: HOA LU
Sitting tug of war is a unique heritage of Vietnam. Photo: HOA LU
Sitting tug of war has 3 participating teams: Man Duong, Man Dia and Man Cho. Photo: HOA LU
Victory for the Tang team. According to belief, if the Tang team wins, the villagers will have a good business and a bountiful harvest. Photo: HOA LU
Hoa Loan tug of war ritual. Photo: HOA LU
The special thing about Hoa Loan tug of war is that there is no fixed number of participants, even tourists can participate. There can be up to hundreds of people in a Hoa Loan tug of war match. Photo: HOA LU
Xuan Lai's mine pulling performance. Photo: HOA LU
Xuan Lai drag queens greet the audience after the competition ends. Photo: HOA LU
The dramatic tug-of-war game of Huong Canh. Photo: HOA LU
Quite similar to the sitting tug of war at Tran Vu temple, the participants of Huong Canh tug of war also sit while pulling. Photo: HOA LU
The Huong Canh River Drag Race is held every January, originating from naval warfare tactics during the Ngo Quyen era. Photo: HOA LU

HOANG LAM

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/van-hoa/doi-song/di-san-the-gioi-keo-co-toa-sang-tai-festival-thang-long-ha-noi-2025-1012198