Exchange and practice performance of Tug of War heritage

VHO - On the morning of November 16, the exchange and performance program "Tug of War rituals and games" took place at Tran Vu temple, Long Bien ward, Hanoi city, with the participation of Gijisi Tug of War Association (Dangjin city, Korea) and 8 Tug of War communities in Vietnam.

Increase Strengthen international exchange , connection, cooperation and sharing

The program is organized by the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in coordination with the People's Committee of Long Bien Ward and the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Association, as part of the series of events of the Thang Long - Hanoi Festival 2025; celebrating the 10th anniversary of UNESCO's inscription of Tug of War Rituals and Games into the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity;

At the same time, it is an activity to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Vietnam Cultural Heritage Day (November 23, 2005 - November 23, 2025).

Sitting tug of war - unique heritage in Long Bien, Hanoi

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the exchange program, the performance of the ritual and the tug of war game, Mr. Nguyen Manh Ha - Party Secretary, Chairman of the People's Council of Long Bien ward) affirmed: Speaking at the opening ceremony, the exchange program, the performance of the ritual and the tug of war game , Mr. Nguyen Manh Ha - Party Secretary, Chairman of the People's Council of Long Bien ward) emphasized :

The program "Exchange and performance of intangible cultural heritage of humanity recognized by UNESCO - Tug of War rituals and games " , a unique cultural event, converging folk traditions, community spirit and international friendship and cooperation.

Mr. Nguyen Manh Ha said that cultural heritage, especially intangible cultural heritage, is always an invaluable resource, contributing significantly to the socio -economic development of each locality, each country and each nation. Heritage not only represents tradition and cultural identity but is also the foundation for sustainable development today and tomorrow.

This is also a major orientation established by Hanoi City in Resolution No. 09-NQ/TU on the development of cultural industry in the capital for the period 2021-2025, oriented to 2030, vision to 2045, which emphasizes the exploitation of heritage values ​​to create momentum for creative development, cultural tourism and enhance the position of the capital in the region as well as in the world .

“Tug of war” is not only the sound of joy, but also the echo of the desire to control water and flood, pray for national peace and prosperity, favorable weather and bountiful crops.

In recent times, the work of preserving and promoting the value of Hanoi's intangible cultural heritage has achieved many important results, affirming the deep concern of all levels and sectors, and at the same time demonstrating the practical role of heritage in developing cultural industry, creating a foundation for the stable and sustainable development of the capital.

2015, Tug of War Rituals and Games recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Along with the pride of the whole country, this is also a special honor for the Party Committee, government and people of Long Bien ward - where the typical sitting tug of war is preserved at Tran Vu Temple.

From that milestone, with the attention of the city and Long Bien district in the past, the government and people of Long Bien ward have implemented many effective solutions to preserve and promote heritage values: restoring the Tug of War ritual in traditional festivals; promoting propaganda and promoting heritage through cultural and communication activities;

Coordinate research, establish scientific records; focus on educating the young generation; and especially protect cultural spaces and landscapes associated with heritages such as the Tran Vu Temple complex - Cu Linh Pagoda - Ngoc Tri Communal House.

For the people of Long Bien, Tug of War is not only a folk game, but also a sacred religious ritual associated with Duc Thanh Huyen Thien Tran Vu and Duc Thanh Linh Lang Dai Vuong - gods symbolizing strength, compassion and protection of nature.

The program is both a heritage performance activity and an open cultural forum for sharing between regions in the country and promoting international cultural connections.

Every festival season, the cry of "Tug of War" is not only the sound of joy, but also the echo of the desire to control water and floods, pray for national peace and prosperity, favorable weather and bountiful crops.

Mr. Nguyen Manh Ha affirmed: “The program of 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 for sharing between regions in the country and promoting international cultural connections.

This is an opportunity for us to experience the richness and diversity of Vietnamese culture, and at the same time learn valuable experiences in preserving and promoting intangible cultural heritage from international friends.

The event was attended by artists and representatives of the Tug of War community from many localities across the country. In particular, the participation of representatives and members of the Tug of War communities from three countries, Korea, Cambodia and the Philippines, created an atmosphere of international exchange, demonstrating the spirit of cooperation and sharing of experiences in heritage conservation.

The teams competed enthusiastically.

Spreading heritage values

At the exchange program, the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Association announced the decision to establish and launch the Vietnam Tug of War Heritage Community Network Club, including typical heritage practicing communities across the country:

Sitting Tug of War community at Tran Vu temple, Long Bien ward, Hanoi city; Song Tug of War community at Huong Canh, Binh Nguyen commune, Phu Tho province; Tug of War community at Huu Chap, Kinh Bac ward, Bac Ninh province; Mine Tug of War community at Xuan Lai, Da Phuc commune, Hanoi city;

Tug of War Community in Hoa Loan, Vinh Thanh Commune, Phu Tho Province; Tug of War Community in Ngai Khe, Chuyen My Commune, Hanoi City; Tug of War Community of Tay People in Bao Nhai Commune, Lao Cai Province; Tug of War Community of Giay People in Sa Pa, Lao Cai Province; Tug of War Community in Vi Khe Ward, Ninh Binh Province; Tug of War Community in Tra Doai Village, Kien Xuong Commune, Hung Yen Province.

At the program of Exchange and Performance of Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity recognized by UNESCO - Tug of War Ritual and Game, domestic and foreign audiences learned about and witnessed the Tug of War Ritual and Game of Gijisi village (South Korea) and Eight tug of war communities in Vietnam include: Tran Vu Temple Tug of War (Long Bien Ward, Hanoi City); Xuan Lai Mine Tug of War (Da Phuc Commune, Hanoi City); Ngai Khe Mine Tug of War (Chieu My Commune, Hanoi City);

Tug of war in Huong Canh river (Binh Nguyen commune, Phu Tho province); Tug of war in Huu Chap (Kinh Bac ward, Bac Ninh province); Tug of war of Tay people, Trung Do village (Bao Nhai commune, Lao Cai province); Tug of war in Hoa Loan commune (Vinh Thanh commune, Phu Tho province); Tug of war in Phu Hao village (Vi Khe ward, Ninh Binh province).

Scene of the exchange program, performance "Tug of War rituals and games"

Exactly ten years ago, on December 2, 2015, at the session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO in Namibia, the Tug of War rituals and games of Vietnam, Cambodia, Korea and the Philippines were honored as a representative Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

This is not only a common pride of the countries in the multinational dossier, but also a great source of encouragement for heritage practice communities in Vietnam in particular.

After 10 years of being listed, the Tug of War rituals and games heritage communities in Hanoi as well as the Tug of War communities in the provinces of Bac Ninh, Phu Tho, Lao Cai, Hung Yen, Ninh Binh... have continuously protected, promoted and spread the heritage value.

Heritage is regularly practiced, introduced and promoted in the community; teaching activities for the younger generation are given attention and focus; many localities have proactively connected and exchanged between tug-of-war communities in the country to create a living heritage network.

Performance by the Korean delegation at the event

In particular, Vietnam has identified and recorded four new communities practicing the Tug of War rituals and games heritage , contributing to enriching the national heritage picture.

Along with that, the international connection between Vietnam and Korea, Cambodia, and the Philippines has opened up a wide space for cultural exchange, connecting communities, honoring and diversifying cultural identities, strengthening friendship between nations, and fostering peace, cooperation, and sustainable development in the region.

This program of exchanging and performing intangible cultural heritage of rituals and tug-of-war games is not only a cultural event, but also an important milestone in the journey of connecting, preserving and promoting the value of tug-of-war heritage - a heritage of strength, spirit and community belief.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/giao-luu-trinh-dien-thuc-hanh-di-san-keo-co-181816.html