The Muong ethnic group’s folk games such as "ca kheo” (walking on stilts), "ban no” (shooting crossbows), "du tre” (swinging on bamboo poles), and "day gay” (pole pushing) carry cultural significance while reflecting their life skills as well as agricultural fertility rites.
Muong Ai women in Phong Phu commune, Tan Lac
district, are playing "danh mang”.
The Muong people's games often reenact daily
activities in their ancestors' era, known in their language as "doi
ho" or "the birth of land and water". "Ca kheo”, notably,
recreates how their forebears navigated swampy terrain in tropical Vietnam's
prehistoric times. It is currently performed in several "Khai ha” (going down
to the field) festivals in the Muong regions.
Similarly, "du tre” evolved from the necessity
of climbing trees to foraging and moving between hillsides using vines and sturdy
bamboo. The "du tre” festivals in Muong Voi region of Lac Son district, and in
Vai village of Luong Son district exemplify how a practical skill transformed
into a sacred tradition.
The process of creating these swings involves
intricate ritual, with the Nha Lang (House of Lang – the landlord class of the
Muong) selecting four special bamboo poles and distributed them to four Nha Au
(houses for the mandarins) for plantation at the field of the Nha Lang. Each Au
must take a different path when carrying their pole, and the construction
process requires precise ceremonial steps and blessings from a shaman.
Three stakes must be driven into the ground
exactly 25-30 centimeters from the swing, converging together to hold an
offering tray. Here, the shaman performs ceremonies inviting the village deity
to descend and partake in both the offerings and the swing itself. The shaman
is also the first one to use the swing, and only on the following day are the
Muong villagers permitted to participate in the swinging festivities.
Many folk games of the Muong people,
particularly those performed during the Khai ha festival, carry deeper meanings
related to fertility worship. The "nem con” (throwing a sacred ball through a
ring) symbolises the harmony between yin and yang energies. The game's elements
- the ball representing yang and the ring representing yin - reflect the
community's belief in growth and prosperity.
Other games like "danh khang” (a game of sticks)
and "gia gao” (rice pounding) also embody the fertility symbolism.
These traditional games passed down through
generations, represent the Muong ancestors' hopes for prosperity and peace.
At the Hoa Binh provincial sports arena, the Organizing Committee of the 8th Hoa Binh City Sports Festival 2025 held youth and championship crossbow shooting, tug of war, and stick pushing tournaments.
Enforcement Departments of 7 Provinces in the Northeastern and Mountainous Regions
On February 19th, at the Hoa Binh Province Sports Hall, the Cluster of Judicial Departments and Civil Judgment Enforcement Departments of 7 provinces in the Northeastern and Mountainous regions, including Hoa Binh, Thai Nguyen, Tuyen Quang, Bac Kan, Yen Bai, Bac Giang and Phu Tho organized a friendly sports competition. A total of 52 athletes from the provinces in the cluster participated in the competition.
At 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 16th, at Hoa Binh Provincial Stadium, Hoa Binh Football Club (Hoa Binh FC) played against Long An Football Club (Long An FC) in round 9 of the National First Division Football Tournament - Bia Sao Vang, 2024 - 2025. The dramatic match ended in a 0-0 draw when no goals were scored.
At 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 16th, at Hoa Binh Provincial Stadium, Hoa Binh Football Club (Hoa Binh FC) played against Long An Football Club (Long An FC) in round 9 of the National First Division Football Tournament - Bia Sao Vang, 2024 - 2025. The dramatic match ended in a 0-0 draw when no goals were scored.
In the early days of At Ty Spring 2025, all localities of Hoa Binh province are in joyful and vibrant atmosphere of sports competitions. Thereby, not only does it create joy in welcoming the new spring, but also contribute to improving spiritual life, encouraging people to compete in studying, working, producing, and working to build prosperous homeland...
Referring to terrain cycling, it can be said that Hoa Binh has become a "training ground” for talented racers, achieving many achievements. The names such as Dinh Van Linh, Bui Van Nhat and the coach Tran Dai Nghia of the province have been contributing to affirming the position of Hoa Binh terrain cycling in the national arena.
