Vinh Khe Village Wrestling Festival – a heritage of martial spirit
With a nearly 700-year history, the Vinh Khe Village Wrestling Festival (An Hai Ward, Hai Phong) has become a vivid symbol of the martial spirit, the tradition of gratitude to ancestors, and the community solidarity.
Distinctive features
According to preserved local historical records, the Vinh Khe wrestling festival originated during the Tran Dynasty in the 14th century. The festival is associated with the worship of the village’s two tutelary gods, Vu Dao and Vu Sao, the two generals helping local residents protect the village, and enjoy peace and prosperity.
Held annually during the first three days of the Lunar New Year, with the main celebrations taking place on the 7 January according to lunar calendar, the festival provides an occasion for the locals to offer homemade produce in tribute to their ancestors, while praying for national peace, favorable weather, family happiness, and prosperity in the new year.
According to Tran Van Trong, head of Vinh Khe residential quarter (An Hai Ward), the festival’s distinctive appeal lies in its traditional competition rules. Wrestlers compete without divisions by weight, age, or ranking. Each match consists of three rounds lasting three minutes each to determine the winner. The event emphasizes not only physical strength but also technique and resilience.
Participants of all ages and levels can challenge one another, allowing young wrestlers to compete against national champions and visitors to challenge local contestants. These distinctive traditions have, in recent years, attracted many prominent traditional wrestlers from Hai Phong and other provinces and cities.
Preserving the cultural heritage
For residents of Vinh Khe Village and An Hai Ward, beyond an early-spring sporting event; the event is regarded as a “living museum” preserving historical and cultural values, as well as the local pride. Through each wrestling bout, the resounding festival drums, traditional rituals, and enthusiastic cheers of spectators, the martial spirit, gratitude, and sense of community are passed down from generations to generations.
Despite rapid social change, younger generations in Vinh Khe continue to be drawn to the festival’s drumbeats and the traditional wrestling arena. Since 2025, the local community has established the Vinh Khe Wrestling Club, attracting a large number of young participants passionate about the sport.
This year’s Vinh Khe Village Wrestling Festival is scheduled to take place from February 20 to 23. The festival stands not only as a vivid expression of the martial spirit but also as a cultural anchor embodying local pride, identity, and community solidarity, the values that continue to be preserved and promoted in modern life.
In 2017, the Vinh Khe Village Wrestling Festival was officially recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, affirming its cultural significance and vitality within the community.
Hai Phong News