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The three-day festival is held on the 12th, 13th, and 14th days of the fourth lunar month, or from May 19 to May 21 this year, in the backyard of Tam Giang Saint Temple to honour the victory of generals Truong Hong and Truong Hat over the Chinese Liang invaders.

Wrestlers of competing teams perform a traditional ritual in front of the temple, in which they drink wine believed to help boost their strength and spirit.

The 20kg-ball used in the game is made from ironwood that has been kept in the communal house from generation to generation.

According to spirituality, each push of the ball into the pit symbolises the harmony of both the earth and heaven, as well as good weather and bumper harvest.

The ball represents the sun. Obtaining the ball also means winning the sun and getting the sunlight to help crops develop. The victory is therefore the top aspiration of farmers.

The game is played on a muddy field with 16 local young men divided into two teams.

Their goal is to carry the ball back within their own zone, therefore winning the sun.

The court consists of two holes, with one hole on the east side where the sun rises and the other hole on the west side where the sun sets. According to folklore, if the east side wins then that year will see a bumper crop with good weather.

The festival attracts thousands of locals and tourists to explore the traditional cultural values of the community.

In 2022, the mud ball wrestling festival in Van village is included on the list of national intangible cultural heritages.

The festival is held every four years in Van village to show the farmers’ desire for favourable weather and bumper crops.

The winners share their happiness alongside local villagers.

The game is a long-term tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation.

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