


















Unique wrestling competition on muddy field in Bac Giang
The traditional wrestling festival of Van village (now Yen
Vien village, Van Ha commune, Viet Yen district of the northern province of Bac
Giang) is an unique and long-standing festival which features a rugby-style
game played on a muddy field. Some 16 local men, 8 on each side, compete for a
large ball representing the sun and try to carry the ball back to their own
zone, therefore winning the sun. The festival taking place every four years is
to show the farmers’ desire for favourable weather and bumper crops. It was
included in the List of National Intangible Cultural Heritages in 2022. The
festival takes place for three days from the 12th-14th days of the fourth lunar
month. VNA Photo: Danh Lam