Hue: Lively wrestling festival in Thu Le village.

On February 22nd, the 6th day of the Lunar New Year of the Horse, the traditional wrestling arena of Thu Le village (Quang Dien commune, Hue city) officially opened its festival, attracting local people and tourists.

A view of the wrestling arena at Thu Le village communal house.

Following the solemn ceremony inside the Thu Le village communal house, the rhythmic drumming of the festival resounded in the courtyard, awakening the martial spirit of the entire lagoon-side countryside. In this space steeped in traditional culture, the Thu Le wrestling festival opened with skillful wrestling moves from two senior wrestlers of the village.

Senior wrestlers inaugurate the wrestling arena.

The powerful, precise, and experienced fighting techniques not only showcase refined skills but also convey the spirit of passing on skills and inspiring the younger generation. Each move delivered received enthusiastic applause from the audience, creating a vibrant atmosphere from the very first minutes of the festival.

A large number of locals and tourists attended the wrestling festival.

Following the performance was a wrestling competition featuring female wrestlers – young, promising athletes from the Hue Sports Training and Competition Center. Their quick, decisive moves, precise techniques, and enduring stamina kept the wrestling arena buzzing with cheers and applause.

Female wrestlers compete just as fiercely as their male counterparts.

The participation of female athletes not only enriches the competition but also demonstrates a new stage of development for the traditional wrestling movement in the city, where the spirit of chivalry is spread to all ages and genders.

The sound of the festival drums urged the wrestlers to compete with all their might.

Following the demonstrations, the Thu Le wrestling festival officially commenced with matches between teenage and young adult wrestlers. The matches followed the rules of traditional Vietnamese wrestling, with a clear objective: to throw the opponent to the ground with their back facing the ground and their belly exposed.

The most intense and exciting competition was that of the youth wrestlers.

Throughout the competition, wrestlers are strictly prohibited from using grappling, breaking, twisting, joint locking techniques, punches, kicks, or attacks on vulnerable areas such as the groin, throat, or eyes. This ensures safety and fairness while preserving the traditional beauty of Vietnamese wrestling.

The organizers presented awards to the winning wrestlers.

Beyond its sporting significance, the wrestling festival in Thu Le village is also a unique cultural activity deeply rooted in the spiritual life of the local people. According to folk beliefs, the wrestling festival at the beginning of the year is an occasion to pray for favorable weather, a bountiful harvest, and a peaceful life.

The traditional wrestling arena of Thu Le village.

Furthermore, this is also a playground that promotes the spirit of chivalry, cultivates willpower, courage, and character for the younger generation; it is a place where the community meets, interacts, and strengthens neighborly bonds in the early days of the new year.

The wrestling festival in Thu Le village is one of the famous traditional festivals of the ancient capital region, and has become a much-anticipated event for locals and tourists every spring, contributing to enriching the cultural and spiritual life of the people of Hue city.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/hue-ron-rang-hoi-vat-lang-thu-le-734619.html