Every year, during the early days of Spring, Thu Le Village (Quang Dien Commune, Hue) joyfully opens its traditional wrestling festival - a cultural and sporting hallmark that has endured for centuries. Far beyond mere entertainment, the Thu Le Wrestling Festival carries deep significance, promoting physical fitness, a noble martial spirit, and community cohesion.
Every year, during the early days of Spring, Thu Le Village (Quang Dien Commune, Hue) joyfully opens its traditional wrestling festival - a cultural and sporting hallmark that has endured for centuries. Far beyond mere entertainment, the Thu Le Wrestling Festival carries deep significance, promoting physical fitness, a noble martial spirit, and community cohesion.
Every year, during the early days of Spring, Thu Le Village (Quang Dien Commune, Hue) joyfully opens its traditional wrestling festival - a cultural and sporting hallmark that has endured for centuries. Photo: Truong Vung
According to historical records and village elders,
the festival dates back to the era of the Nguyen
Lords (the 16th century). Originally, the event was
organized to select strong, healthy young men to join
the royal army and contribute to national defense. Over
time, it evolved into a vital cultural and sporting activity,
deeply imbued with the identity of Hue.
Wrestlers compete with integrity, giving their all in the true martial spirit. Photo: Truong Vung
The festival follows national wrestling rules: Competitors must defeat two opponents in the qualifiers to reach the semifinals, and one more to
enter the finals. Photo: Truong Vung
The wrestling arena is traditionally set up in the
courtyard of the Thu Le Communal House - a designated national architectural and artistic relic. The festival
typically attracts between 70 and 100 male and
female wrestlers of various ages from neighboring
communes. As the opening drums thunder, thousands
of locals and tourists gather to watch and cheer.
The atmosphere at the ring is always vibrant and
dramatic, yet filled with a sense of warm camaraderie.
The rules of traditional wrestling at Thu
Le emphasize respect for the opponent and sportsmanship. Wrestlers must navigate through
qualifying rounds, defeating opponents to advance
to the semifinals and finals. However, an important
unwritten rule is strictly enforced: life-threatening
or dangerous moves are absolutely forbidden. Tactics
such as breaking joints, twisting limbs, joint locks, or
head-butting are prohibited.
Three sisters born in the Thu Le wrestling
Village - Nguyen Thi My Hanh, Nguyen Thi
My Trang, and Nguyen Thi My Linh - achieved
a historic feat by winning 3 out of 4 gold
medals in women’s freestyle wrestling for the
Vietnamese National Team at SEA Games 33.
Every year, during the early days of Spring, Thu Le Village (Quang Dien Commune, Hue) joyfully opens its traditional wrestling festival - a cultural and sporting hallmark that has endured for centuries. Photo: Truong Vung
A victory is only declared when a wrestler forces
their opponent into a “back to the ground, belly to the
sky” position (locally known as lam lung, trang bung).
Regardless of the outcome, the competitors always
display a spirit of solidarity and mutual learning.
Today, the Thu Le Wrestling Festival is not only a
tradition but also a breeding ground for young talent,
contributing to the sporting development of Hue and
Vietnam as a whole./.
By Truong Vung
Translated by Hong Hanh