On May 28, the People’s Committee of Van Ha Ward in Bac Ninh province opened the 2026 Van Village Water Ball Wrestling Festival, a unique National Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Kinh Bac region.

Held annually, the festival draws large crowds of local residents and tourists who come to experience one of northern Vietnam’s most distinctive traditional folk events. The highlight is the water ball wrestling competition, in which teams of young men compete in a muddy field to carry a heavy wooden ball into the opponent’s goal.

The energetic game demands strength, teamwork, agility, and endurance. According to local beliefs, the festival symbolizes wishes for favorable weather, abundant harvests, and prosperity for the community, reflecting the agricultural traditions of the Red River Delta.

In addition to the competition, the festival features traditional rituals, folk performances, and cultural activities showcasing the rich heritage of the Kinh Bac cultural region, long known for its traditional customs and folk music.

Local authorities said the festival helps preserve cultural values, strengthen community bonds, and promote tourism in the area. It also offers younger generations an opportunity to better understand and appreciate traditional heritage.

With its vibrant atmosphere and unique customs, the Van Village Water Ball Wrestling Festival remains one of Bac Ninh province’s most notable cultural celebrations.