Lieu Doi Wrestling Festival

Lieu Doi Village is located in Liem The Commune, Thanh Liem District, Ha Nam province. This village festival occurs annually on the 5th day of the 10th lunar month. The villagers hold this wrestling festival to thank Thanh Ong (a man of the Doan family who fought againstChinese invaders and was also the ancestor of wrestling). Unlike other festivals, wrestling is the main sport among other activities of the festival.

The procession ceremony begins in the solemn atmosphere of the martial spirit. The next phase of the festival is the open fire ceremony. A great flame is set up, and an alderman hands over the sword and a reddish towel to the wrestlers. This ceremony is called "giving of the sword and the reddish clothes ceremony". The last activity is the Thanh Dong ceremony and after several solemn ceremonies, the wrestling competition begins. First, two boys are elected by the villagers to wrestle for five rounds as a presentation (Five Round Custom). Next, the wrestlers from other localities participate in the round. Apart from the wrestling activity, the Lieu Doi Festival also has activities such as the performance of popular satirical verses, alternating folk songs, and the tasting of special dishes prepared by the local people for competition at the festival.