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While modern sports like volleyball and football continue to grow in popularity, traditional folk games and ethnic sports remain a vibrant and essential part of cultural life among the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.
At the Coi communal house festival celebrating the 2025 spring season in Vu Binh Commune (Lac Son District), locals and visitors enjoy traditional Muong games such as "nem con" (cloth ball throwing) and "di ca kheo" stilt walking.
In Vu Binh, folk games are a way for women to relax after a day in the fields. Among the many traditional Muong pastimes, "danh mang", a unique sport and traditional folk game, with people trying to bring "mang” seeds into holes, "day gay" (stick pushing), and "keo co" (tug of war) continue to draw the most enthusiastic crowds.
These time-honoured activities are thriving in the four core Muong regions -Muong Bi, Muong Vang, Muong Thang, and Muong Dong, and they have been included in athletic competitions at various levels.
During major holidays and festivals, communities across the province host folk game experiences and ethnic sports contests, drawing wide participation. Since 2020, many of these traditional games have become part of local celebrations.
At iconic events such as the Khenh Communal House Festival in Van Son commune, the Ruoc But Khu Dung Ritual in Nhan Nghia commune, and the Coi Communal House Festival in Vu Binh commune, attendees can take part in or observe a range of traditional activities, including rope skipping, stilt walking, "nem con", "danh chat", "danh chuyen", swing riding, and more. Audiences also enjoy competitions in archery, tug of war, and stick pushing.
At the 2024 Cultural, Sports and Tourism Day for highland communes in Tan Lac district, archery, tug of war, and stick pushing were officially featured in the programme. A highlight was the "danh mang" tournament, with teams representing Van Son, Quyet Chien, and Ngo Luong communes.
The 2025 provincial Khai Ha Festival also offered visitors a vibrant cultural space with a wide array of folk games and traditional sports, including blindfolded drumming, seesawing, and more.
According to Dao Tien Cuong, Deputy Director of the Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Muong folk games and ethnic sports are deeply rooted in local identity and significantly enrich the cultural life of ethnic communities.
Regular district- and provincial-level tournaments in archery, stick pushing, and tug of war not only preserve these traditions but also help identify and nurture emerging athletic talent.
In the early days of the Year of the Snake, Hoa Binh province is filled with a lively and joyful atmosphere as various sports exchange and competition activities take place. These events have become a cherished tradition among local ethnic communities, strengthening their solidarity and fostering their close bonds. They contribute to the robust development of grassroots sports movements, enhancing the cultural and spiritual life of the people.
The Hoa Binh provincial Health sector trade union organized the 1st expanded Hoa Binh provincial Health sector Pickleball tournament in 2025.
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.
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