The traditional wrestling competition in Duong Hoa commune ( Hanoi ) is one such space – where the spirit of chivalry, pride, and community spirit converge in a single wrestling ring.
A celebration of unity
Duong Hoa is the only commune in the country that worships the patron saint of wrestling. Therefore, wrestling has become a beautiful local tradition, having existed and developed for a long time, closely intertwined with the lives of the working people. Through many generations, the martial tradition has been maintained and promoted by the people here.
In order to preserve traditional culture and create a foundation for the development of traditional wrestling, as part of the series of activities celebrating the Party and the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, Duong Hoa commune will organize an expanded traditional wrestling tournament from February 27th to March 1st (corresponding to the 11th to 13th days of the first lunar month of the Year of the Horse) at the Cat Que wrestling arena.
According to Mr. Le Duc Phong, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of Duong Hoa commune, the Duong Hoa Traditional Wrestling Tournament, held to celebrate the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, was organized to encourage the people in preserving and developing the distinctive traditional culture of the locality.
This event also celebrates the spirit of martial arts and promotes physical fitness; at the same time, it serves as a platform to discover outstanding talents in traditional wrestling for professional tournaments. In particular, the wrestling competition is expected to become a unique tourism product attracting visitors to Duong Hoa every spring.
According to the leaders of Duong Hoa commune, this is the first traditional wrestling competition organized since the implementation of the two-tiered local government system. Over the past period, the commune's Party committee and government have closely supervised the organization, and preparations are now largely complete. The wrestling competition promises to create a lively and exciting atmosphere, contributing to enriching the spiritual life of the people in the early days of the new spring.
Perhaps it's no coincidence that the people of Duong Hoa consider the wrestling arena the "heart" of the village. On this ancient, round, compacted ground, generations of young men have grown up and entered life with the grappling techniques and fighting moves learned from their fathers and brothers. The wrestling arena is not simply a place for competition, but a sacred space where every movement embodies moral principles.
Before entering a match, wrestlers usually bow to their opponent and the audience. This bow is not just a formality, but a reminder of respect and the spirit of "not being arrogant in victory, and not being discouraged in defeat." In Vietnamese wrestling culture, humiliation of the opponent is not valued; instead, courage and willpower are celebrated. Winning through technique, intelligence, and perseverance – that is the core value.
In Duong Hoa today, people still pass down the saying: "Wrestling is first and foremost about training the body and physical strength," but more importantly, it's about training the mindset. A good wrestler is not only strong, but also calm, knows how to wait for the right opportunity, and can read their opponent's movements. Over time, these lessons have become the philosophy of life for the entire community.
From traditional to professional
The expanded traditional wrestling tournament of Duong Hoa commune, celebrating the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, will be organized into two categories: amateur and advanced. The amateur category includes athletes with permanent residency in the commune; those who do not regularly train with provincial, city, or national wrestling teams; and those who have not achieved the title of Level I athlete or champion in national wrestling competitions from 2022 to the present.
Meanwhile, the expanded eligibility criteria include athletes with permanent residency in Hanoi; those regularly training in provincial, city, sectoral, or national wrestling teams; and athletes who have achieved Level I status or are champions in national and international wrestling competitions.
It's clear that the Dương Hòa village wrestling competition isn't confined to the village itself. Over time, it has expanded, incorporating both grassroots and advanced elements. This organizational approach reflects a new mindset – tradition must be placed within the context of development.
In that context, the name Nguyen Cong Manh is often mentioned as a source of pride for the local people. Originating from the wrestling movement in his hometown, he gradually established himself on the regional stage, winning a gold medal at the SEA Games and leaving his mark at the continental level. This journey is vivid proof that a local-level tournament can still become a launching pad for big dreams and reach the world stage .
But what's even more valuable is not just the medal achievements, but the way the community recognizes and supports talent. In Duong Hoa, when a young wrestler wins, the whole village rejoices as if their own child had succeeded. This encouragement creates immense spiritual motivation – a form of "social capital" that is not found everywhere.
Today, in the context of urbanization, many village and community values are gradually fading. But as long as wrestling arenas are still set up, as long as the drums still resound, that community still retains a spiritual anchor. That is a "soft power" that doesn't need grand slogans: the power of unity, of quiet but enduring pride.
And as long as the drums of the festival still resound in Duong Hoa, the spirit of martial arts and pride in the homeland will continue to be passed on, enduring like the tight embraces in the spring wrestling arena.
Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/tu-hoi-lang-den-khat-vong-vuon-xa-734312.html
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