Sixteen strong young men, known as "ball warriors," compete on the main field of the Tam Giang Temple in Yen Vien hamlet, Van Ha commune, Viet Yen district, Bac Giang province. (Photo: An Thanh Dat/VNA)
The wooden jackfruit ball, weighing around 20 kg, symbolises the sun. (Photo: An Thanh Dat/VNA)
Players engage in the water ball wrestling match with movements as graceful as ballet dancers. (Photo: An Thanh Dat/VNA)
Visitors often leave the festival with muddy clothes but cheerful smiles, as it is believed to bring good luck. (Photo: An Thanh Dat/VNA)
Intense ball battles create an exhilarating festival atmosphere. (Photo: An Thanh Dat/VNA)
The winner of the ball is thought to harness the sun’s energy and receive blessings. (Photo: An Thanh Dat/VNA)
Players engage in the water ball wrestling match with movements as graceful as ballet dancers. (Photo: An Thanh Dat/VNA)
Intense ball battles create an exhilarating festival atmosphere. (Photo: An Thanh Dat/VNA)
VNA wins two first prizes at OANA Awards 2024
The Vietnam News Agency (VNA) won two first prizes at the Organisation of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) Awards 2024, at the 54th OANA Executive Board Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on February 17. The first prize in the article category was awarded to the piece titled “Bau vat truyen doi tu dan ong rung” (Beeswax: a timeless treasure from wild bees) by the authors Quynh Trang, Bang Cao, Luong Thu Huong, while the first prize for the photo report went to An Thanh Dat for his work titled “Doc dao vat cau nuoc lang Van ” (the unique mud ball wrestling festival in Van village).
