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On the morning of the 10th day of the first lunar month of the Year of the Horse (February 26, 2026), at Sinh Village (ancient name Lai An), Duong No Ward, Thuan Hoa District, Hue City, the Sinh Village Wrestling Festival – one of the typical folk festivals of the ancient capital – officially opened. The village space burst with the colors of spring, blending the solemnity of traditional rituals with the vibrancy of the festival, attracting a large number of locals and tourists from all over to participate and experience it.
The Sinh Village Wrestling Festival – one of the typical folk festivals of the ancient capital region – officially opened on the morning of the 10th day of the first lunar month of the Year of the Horse (February 26, 2026).
Following long-standing tradition, before the main festivities began, starting at 5 a.m., the organizing committee and village elders solemnly performed the traditional sacrificial ceremony at Sinh village communal house. In the sacred space of the ancient communal house, the rituals were performed with great solemnity, following the traditional sacrificial ceremony.
In the sacred space of the village communal house, solemn ceremonies are conducted to commemorate the ancestors, the village's guardian spirits, and those who contributed to the founding and development of the village, protecting the peaceful lives of its inhabitants. At the same time, the people express their hopes for a new year of favorable weather, bountiful harvests, family well-being, and social peace.
The sound of festival drums awakens the martial spirit of Sinh village every spring.
The ceremonial part not only carries profound spiritual significance but also serves as a way for people to uphold the principle of "drinking water, remembering the source." It is an invisible yet strong bond connecting generations of residents, so that with each spring, the tradition is continued with pride and a sense of preserving their roots.
As the final rituals concluded, the atmosphere of the spring festival gradually transformed. At precisely 7:30 a.m., the resounding sounds of drums and gongs echoed throughout the village, marking the beginning of the Sinh Village Wrestling Festival amidst the excitement of numerous locals and tourists.
From early morning, the wrestling arena was packed with spectators. Wrestlers in traditional attire entered the ring one after another, their gait strong and their eyes focused. Surrounded by enthusiastic cheers, powerful, decisive, yet technically skillful wrestling moves were unleashed, creating dramatic matches. Each match was not only a contest of physical strength but also a test of willpower, courage, and the culmination of persistent training.
Surrounded by enthusiastic cheers, powerful, decisive, yet technically skillful wrestling moves were unleashed.
From early morning, the wrestling arena was packed with spectators.
The unique feature of the wrestling festival in Sinh village lies in its chivalrous spirit and deep sense of community. Here, winning or losing is not the ultimate goal; what is valued is honesty, nobility, and respect for the opponent. The winner is celebrated with cheers, and those who haven't won receive encouragement and support, in keeping with the humane spirit of the spring festival in Hue.
Today, the wrestling festival in Sinh village is not only a cultural and religious activity of the local people but also an attractive spring destination in the journey of exploring Hue. Amidst modern life, the festival still retains its rustic and original charm, offering visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in the traditional village atmosphere, directly experience the local culture and strong community bonds.
The unique feature of the wrestling festival in Sinh village lies in its chivalrous spirit and deep sense of community.
Maintaining and organizing the annual wrestling festival also demonstrates the local efforts to link the preservation of intangible cultural heritage with tourism development. Folk values are therefore not only preserved but also become an important soft resource in Hue's tourism development strategy towards a green, sustainable, and distinctive direction.
The Sinh Village Wrestling Festival in the Spring of the Year of the Horse 2026 concluded amidst the joy of locals and tourists, leaving behind a beautiful legacy of a folk festival steeped in the soul of the ancient capital. In the midst of contemporary times, preserving and promoting traditional festivals like this is not only about preserving cultural memories, but also a way for Hue to continue telling its own story – where tradition and modernity coexist, where each spring carries enduring values that stand the test of time.
Maintaining and organizing the annual wrestling festival also demonstrates the local efforts to link the preservation of intangible cultural heritage with tourism development.
Another spring has arrived, and the wrestling arena once again ignites the spirit of chivalry in the ancient capital.
With each festival season, traditions are retold through the sound of drums and the joy of reunion.
