Hoa Binh is a province where over 74% of the population belongs to ethnic minorities. Each ethnic group has its own unique traditional culture, which is expressed in various aspects of life, including sports.

Each ethnic group has its own prominent games and sports. For example, crossbow shooting, tug of war, stick pushing, and shuttlecock throwing are popular sports among the Muong community, while Pao throwing and Tu Lu playing are essential in Gau Tao Festival of Hmong ethnic people in Pa Co and Hang Kia communes (Mai Châu). For Muong ethnic people in Lac Son district, boat racing has become a significant spiritual activity in the cultural life and various festivals.

The cultural exchanges and competitions in the traditional ethnic games and sports are familiar scenes in the districts and cities of the province during the Lunar New Year and the traditional festivals. At the festivals such as the Khai Ha Festival of Muong ethnic group in Hoa Binh province, Chua Tiên (Lac Thuy), Muong Đong (Kim Boi), and Khai Mua Festival in Muong Thang (Cao Phong), after the solemn rituals come the lively festivities with the traditional games and ethnic sports, attracting many participants and enthusiastic spectators. These activities contribute to strengthening the solidarity, creating an exciting atmosphere, and preserving the traditional culture.

In addition, many traditional ethnic sports have been organized into competitions at the various levels. Among them, the annual Provincial Crossbow Shooting, Tug of War, and Stick Pushing Championships are regularly held. With the careful investment and preparation, from the team composition to technical and tactical aspects, Tan Lac district’s team has consistently demonstrated its strength in the traditional ethnic sports, particularly in crossbow shooting, tug of war, and stick pushing.

These sports are not only held annually but they are also among the 15 official competitions at the 7th Provincial Sports Festival in 2022. Through the effective training and regular competitions, the province has promoted its strengths in the traditional ethnic sports at the national level. A clear example is that Hoa Binh provincial team won 1 gold medal, 3 silver medals in tug of war, and 2 bronze medals in stick pushing at the 9th National Sports Games. Most recently, the team secured 8 gold medals, 3 silver medals, and 11 bronze medals, ranking 3rd overall at the 13th National Ethnic Minority Sports Festival, Region I in 2023.

According to the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, Hoa Binh province has 836 sports clubs, including 64 stick-pushing clubs and 60 crossbow shooting clubs. These local ethnic sports clubs not only provide a healthy and beneficial playground but they also contribute to promoting the province's public sports movement.

With over 85% of its population being Muong people, Ngoc My commune (Tan Lac) has always focused on preserving and promoting the traditional cultural values of the ethnic group, including the traditional sports. Leveraging its strength in crossbow shooting, in 2023, the commune's People's Committee established a traditional crossbow shooting club. According to Ms. Bui Thi Giang, the Chairwoman of Ngoc My Commune’s People's Committee, the club brings together individuals who share a passion for the ethnic sports, allowing them to engage in activities, training, exchanges and sharing experiences, thereby it helps spreading the training movement within the commune.

Mr. Đao Tien Cuong, the Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, states: To effectively preserve and promote the traditional ethnic sports, the department has urged the localities to invest in the infrastructure and the equipment for the cultural centers in the residential areas and the outdoor training grounds. The focus is on maintaining traditional sports such as crossbow shooting, tug of war, sick pushing, and shuttlecock throwing, as well as Muong people's distinctive sport of boat racing. The department is working with the General Department of Sports to develop a program for preserving and promoting the Muonng people's boat racing sport. In the future, efforts will continue to preserve and promote Tu Lu game of Hmong ethnic people...

The people actively participating in the traditional ethnic sports contribute to preserving and promoting the beautiful cultural values and strengthening the community bonds. At the same time, this encourages the development of public sports movements among the ethnic communities all over the province.