Exciting exchange and performance of tug-of-war heritage between Vietnam and Korea

The exchange activity right in Long Bien ward, Hanoi helps raise awareness and deep understanding of the diversity and value of tug of war in the spiritual life of each nation.

Young men from Huu Chap ( Bac Ninh ) perform traditional tug of war in their village. (Photo: Minh Anh/Vietnam+)

On November 16, at the tug of war court of Tran Vu temple, Long Bien ward ( Hanoi ), the program of exchange and performance of intangible cultural heritage of tug of war rituals and games took place.

This is an activity within the series of events of the Thang Long-Hanoi Festival 2025, both responding to the 20th anniversary of Vietnam Cultural Heritage Day and celebrating the 10th anniversary of UNESCO's inscription of Tug of War Ritual and Game into the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The event was also an opportunity to announce the Vietnam Tug of War Heritage Community Network Club, currently comprising 10 representative communities from Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Phu Tho, Lao Cai, Ninh Binh and Hung Yen .

Also within the framework of the event, there were a number of tug-of-war communities from Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Phu Tho, Lao Cai, Ninh Binh of Vietnam and Gijisi tug-of-war from Korea competing and performing. Based on the origins as well as the local characteristics and different cultures and ethnicities, tug-of-war in each place has its own mark.

For example, the tug of war at Tran Vu temple (Long Bien) has a sitting form to recreate the legend of competing for a shoulder pole to fetch water, together with the wish for a year of favorable weather; Phu Hao tug of war (Ninh Binh) is a game of pulling the border, symbolizing the protection of landmarks and borders, associated with General Tran Cong Lam; the Tay tug of war in Trung Do village (Lao Cai) has a rope symbolizing a dragon, the male team pulls the base, the female team pulls the top, meaning pulling the clouds to call for rain... Or from Korea, Gijisi tug of war does not care about winning or losing, any result brings back a prediction of a bountiful harvest and peace for the whole region.

The tug of war rope is performed before the competition (performance). (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)

Dr. Le Thi Minh Ly (Vice President of the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Association) said that in the 10 years since tug-of-war was recognized by UNESCO, the number of heritage practicing communities has increased from 6 to 10. She said the establishment of the Vietnam Tug-of-war Heritage Community Network Club is a typical example of the connection and sustainability of tug-of-war in Vietnam.

“This network not only reflects the spirit of the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, which promotes respect for cultural diversity, but also enhances dialogue between communities and safeguards intangible cultural heritage as a foundation for peace and sustainable development,” Dr. Le Thi Minh Ly assessed.

Special ropes are used in the Korean tug-of-war game Gijisi. (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)

Participating in the commemorative activities, Mr. Gu Eun-mo - Chairman of the Gijisi Tug of War Preservation Association (Korea) hopes that this commemorative and exchange occasion will help countries better understand each other's tug of war heritage.

Although there are many individual and common difficulties from each country, and different economic, social and cultural conditions, this is an opportunity to call for attention from the community, thereby joining hands to contribute to preserving and developing the value of this subject.

Mr. Nguyen Manh Ha, Chairman of the People's Council of Long Bien Ward, emphasized that tug of war is not only a folk game, but also a religious ritual associated with gods symbolizing the strength and protection of nature.

Accordingly, the rope is stretched and the loud cheers are not only a competition, but also convey a strong message about community solidarity, the enduring vitality of heritage and friendship between nations.

Tug of war is not only a game of physical strength and strategy, but also honors the solidarity of the community in a village or region. (Photo: Minh Anh/Vietnam+)

Previously, on November 15, Hanoi was the venue for the international workshop “A decade of protecting and promoting tug-of-war rituals and games.” The workshop had the participation of representatives from Korea, Cambodia and the Philippines - the three countries that were jointly honored with Vietnam as intangible cultural heritage for tug-of-war rituals and games on December 2, 2015.

Events and activities honoring the common heritage are highly appreciated by representatives of countries and hopefully contribute to protecting this sport for many future generations.

The Vietnam Tug of War Heritage Community Network Club includes: Sitting Tug of War Community at Tran Vu Temple (Long Bien, Hanoi), Song Tug of War Community in Huong Canh (Binh Xuyen, Phu Tho), Tug of War Community in Huu Chap (Kinh Bac, Bac Ninh Province), Mine Tug of War Community in Xuan Lai (Da Phuc, Hanoi), Song Tug of War Community in Hoa Loan (Vinh Thanh, Phu Tho), Mine Tug of War Community in Ngai Khe (Chuyen My, Hanoi), Tug of War Community of Tay People in Bao Nhai Commune (Lao Cai), Tug of War Community of Giay People in Sa Pa (Lao Cai), Tug of War Community in Vi Khe (Ninh Binh) and Rope Tug of War Community in Tra Doai Village (Kien Xuong, Hung Yen).

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/tung-bung-giao-luu-trinh-dien-di-san-keo-co-viet-nam-va-han-quoc-post1077270.vnp