On November 16, the program "Exchange and performance of representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity - Tug-of-war rituals and games" at Tran Vu Temple (Long Bien, Hanoi) attracted the participation of 9 typical tug-of-war teams from the country and abroad. This is an activity within the framework of the Thang Long - Hanoi Festival 2025, organized by the Hanoi Department of Culture - 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 rituals and games being recognized by UNESCO as representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
The opening of the program is a reenactment of sitting tug of war at Tran Vu Temple (Long Bien Ward, Hanoi ) which takes place on the third day of the third lunar month every year to pay tribute to Saint Linh Lang. The rope is about 25 - 30m long, 5cm in diameter, and the base and tip are not equal to ensure fair competition. The rope is soaked in a well at Dang Dong Temple a month before the festival to make it flexible and durable. The rope is threaded through a round hole through a large ironwood pole buried deep in the ground. The players sitting at the head of each team often use their feet to kick the pole to increase pulling power.
The tug of war performance took place amidst the resounding drum beats and the vibrant, bustling atmosphere of hundreds of delegates and people attending. The cheers and encouragement increased the enthusiasm of the competitors on the field.
People in the capital and other provinces cheered and encouraged the tug-of-war teams in the stadium. Not only did they watch the tug-of-war team from Long Bien ward, the audience also experienced many performances from the tug-of-war community of Phu Tho, Bac Ninh , Lao Cai, and Ninh Binh provinces.
Tug of War rituals and games in Huu Chap village (Bac Ninh) is one of the long-standing cultural features of Kinh Bac region. Before each round, representatives of the two arm wrestling teams warm up. Some members perform a purification ritual, sprinkling white wine to stir up the spirit.
The Huu Chap people use bamboo trunks to make ropes called Day trees. The bamboo is shaved to reveal its white core, and holes are drilled at both ends. The two ends of the two bamboo trees are connected by bamboo rope, the joint is twisted tightly into a spiral, called a spider.
The beak pulling of Xuan Lai village (Da Phuc commune, Hanoi) is very unique. It is called "beak pulling" because for hundreds of years, the people of Xuan Lai village have used the tops of two bamboo trees to form a hook shape, then braided them tightly for two teams of village men to use to pull.
The exchange and performance of Tug of War Ritual and Games with the participation of Gijisi Tug of War Association (Dangjin City, Korea) as well as drum and lion dance performances by a group of young artists, created a colorful cultural space.
At the event, the Vietnam Tug of War Heritage Community Network was officially launched, marking a new development in the journey of connecting, transmitting and promoting the vitality of the representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Nguyen Manh Ha - Party Secretary, Chairman of Long Bien Ward People's Council said that the exchange program, performance of Tug of War rituals and games is an opportunity to feel the richness and diversity of Vietnamese culture. At the same time, learn valuable experiences in preserving and promoting intangible cultural heritage from international friends. International and domestic tug of war communities together continue to write the story of cultural connection, preserve the common heritage of humanity, promote community cultural cooperation".
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