On February 23 (the 7th day of Tet), An Hai Ward People's Committee (Hai Phong City) organized the traditional wrestling festival of Vinh Khe village, attracting thousands of people and tourists from all over to attend the festival, creating a jubilant and exciting atmosphere from early morning.
From many hours before the matches took place, the Vinh Khe communal house yard area was packed with people. Thousands of people and tourists stood crowded around the stands from all sides, cheering and enthusiastically supporting the wrestlers competing on the wrestling arena.
The organizers also set up large screens to broadcast live matches, helping people and tourists clearly watch each wrestling move, each beautiful move, creating a lively and exciting festival atmosphere.
Vinh Khe village wrestling festival has a long history, associated with the belief in worshiping, commemorating and expressing gratitude to the twin brothers - the two tutelary gods of the Vu family, Vu Dao and Vu Sao - talented and resourceful generals who made great contributions to helping King Tran Nhue Tong destroy invaders and save the country.
At the same time, the festival also worships General Pham Tu Nghi - a resident of Niem Nghia village (An Duong district, ancient Kinh Mon district). The martial arts movement practiced by ancestors for soldiers has been deeply ingrained in community life, preserved and passed down by the people through many generations.
In order to commemorate the merits of the tutelary gods, educate patriotism and encourage the martial spirit of the nation, every year on the 7th day of the first lunar month, the people of Vinh Khe village organize a village festival and a traditional wrestling festival in front of the communal house yard. With a history of nearly 700 years, in 2018, Vinh Khe village wrestling festival was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a national intangible cultural heritage.
From early morning, traditional rituals are solemnly held, followed by the festival part with attractive wrestling matches. Dozens of wrestlers from many northern provinces and cities participate in competition, showing strength, technique, dexterity and martial spirit on the wrestling arena built in the communal house yard.
Each match is not only a physical competition but also a technical and tactical performance, imbued with the identity of Vietnamese folk martial arts.
Mr. Nguyen Van Hoa (62 years old, a resident of Vinh Khe village) shared: "Every year on the 7th day of Tet, I go to the communal house yard to watch the wrestling festival. The atmosphere is very joyful, very bustling, both watching competitions and an opportunity for children and grandchildren in the village to learn more about the homeland's traditions. The festival is not only a spring festival but also reminds everyone of the morality of drinking water, remembering the source, preserving the cultural beauty left by our ancestors.
The traditional wrestling festival of Vinh Khe village is not only a unique cultural and sports event at the beginning of spring but also a space for community cultural activities, contributing to preserving heritage values, nurturing solidarity, homeland pride and martial arts traditions of the nation.
