On November 16, within the framework of the Thang Long – Hanoi Festival 2025, an exchange and performance program of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity – the ritual and game of tug-of-war – took place at Tran Vu Temple.
The ritual ceremony of the Tran Vu Temple sitting tug-of-war team (Photo: Huu Truong).
The event was organized by the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports in coordination with the Long Bien Ward People’s Committee and the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Association, commemorating 10 years since the tug-of-war ritual and game were inscribed by UNESCO as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Manh Ha – Chairman of the Long Bien Ward People’s Council – stated that tug-of-war in Vietnam is not merely a folk game but also a ritual associated with deities symbolizing the strength and protection of nature.
The shouts of tug-of-war during each festival season are sounds of joy, conveying wishes for flood control, favorable weather, and abundant harvests. The program serves as an opportunity to showcase and honor the heritage, while also expanding cultural exchanges between regions and internationally.
The participation of tug-of-war communities from South Korea, Cambodia, and the Philippines created a lively exchange atmosphere, contributing to fostering cultural connections and jointly preserving human heritage. The event also featured the launch ceremony of the Vietnam Tug-of-War Heritage Community Network.
This year’s tug-of-war ritual and game practice activities brought together 8 domestic tug-of-war communities, including: Sitting Tug-of-War at Tran Vu Temple, Xuan Lai “Kéo Mỏ” (Hanoi), Ngai Khe “Kéo Mỏ” (Hanoi), Huong Canh “Kéo Song” (Phu Tho), Huu Chap Tug-of-War (Bac Ninh), Tug-of-War of the Tay people (Lao Cai), Hoa Loan Tug-of-War (Phu Tho), and Phu Hao Village Tug-of-War (Ninh Binh).
Sitting tug-of-war is a unique Vietnamese heritage (Photo: Huu Truong).
Dr. Le Thi Minh Ly – Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Association – believes that tug-of-war is a successful lesson in heritage protection through active community participation.
“Over the past 10 years, the tug-of-war heritage practicing community in Vietnam has increasingly developed, spreading its values and creating a positive imprint on contemporary life. The sitting tug-of-war community in Long Bien, Hanoi, has become a central hub connecting domestic and international tug-of-war communities.
The establishment of the Vietnam Tug-of-War Heritage Community Network Club is a testament to the cohesion and sustainable development of Vietnam’s tug-of-war heritage,” Ms. Minh Ly remarked.
