Youth taking to horseback archery

But as soon she took her first ride at a horseback archery club near Nhat Tan Bridge, Hanoi, Thanh Lam signed up for 12 lessons.

“Seeing people balance on the running horse and shooting arrows at the target is very exciting,” Lam said. “I hope to master these difficult techniques soon.”

My Hanh, 20, from Bac Tu Liem District, got into the sport to get exercise and reduce stress after school.

Initially, her family didn’t support the decision because they worried that she would not be able to keep up due to her poor health and weak physique. But after two training sessions under the guidance of a coach, Hanh was able to climb on the saddle and control the horse as skillfully as a veteran horseman.

Thanh Lam (in red) and My Hanh ride horses at the mounted archery club on May 31, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Nguyen

After seven lessons, the 20-year-old girl said that balancing on horseback without using the reins is the most difficult task to master.

“[For this move] you are forced to use your lower body to control the horse to run in the right direction,” Hanh said.

Two weeks ago, she was knocked off the saddle during practice. But she got right back on it again.

“You can’t graduate if you have never fallen off the horse once,” Hanh said.

Once the students can control the horse, they learn how to aim and time their arrow shots.

Warrior tradition

Mounted archery, or horseback archery, became an important part of traditional Vietnamese culture nearly a thousand years ago.

During the Ly Dynasty (1009-1224), horseback archery was a skill the nobility and mandarins had to master. But during the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1883), bows and arrows were replaced by guns, and then this sport has gradually disappeared ever since.

Nowadays, provinces and cities across Vietnam have opened mounted archery training courses and the sport is making its return. However, advanced-level courses are still only available in Hanoi, and the first facilities to provide them opened only a year ago.

A member of the club takes a shot from his bow while riding a horse. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Nguyen

Pham Van Phuc, 34, head of the horseback archery club, has been practicing and studying horseback riding and archery for many years. Phuc said that creating a community for people with the same passion is not simple because the pastime requires participants to master both two difficult and intricate sports at the same time.

To participate, people have to exercise to improve their stamina and endurance, Phuc said. Participants much learn how to move their hips to the rhythm of the horse’s steps, communicate with the horse through signals, and learn how to keep their balance atop the animal while both hands are busy with the bow and arrow, and their eyes are occupied aiming a shot.

Unlike many Western-style horseback archery clubs, Phuc wanted to create an ancient-style Asian club. Riders at his center wear military uniforms from the Ly, Tran and Le dynasties and learn how to use ancient bows. This type of bow without power assistance or a professional scope requires great control of the arrow before shooting while the horse is in gallop.

Phuc said that due to the fear of getting kicked by the horse or being knocked off the saddle and facing injury, the number of people who actually register for his courses accounts for only about 20-30% of the total people who visit the club for a curious look.

After two months of professional training courses, Phuc’s club has more than 10 members, from beginners to advanced-level learners. Tuition fees range from VND5 to 7 million for 12 sessions, depending on the skill level.

Pham Van Phuc (in black) and the members of the club. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Nguyen

More than 70% of learners are female, between the ages of 6-20. Phuc and his trainers have found that women have the flexibility and can control their bodies according to the horse’s movements with ease. Their ability to handle difficult situations is also calmer and more assertive.

Besides learning, there’s also a great demand for young people who want to take photos with horses in traditional costumes. On average, Phuc’s club welcomes nearly 20 groups of photo-takers each month.

As for Hanh, she says she’d rather spend her money on this unique tradition rather than the gym and yoga classes.

She likes being outdoors, away from her electronic devices, and connecting with nature. That’s why she now shows up with her friends for practice at the archery club every day at 4 p.m.

In the near future, Phuc wants to create a community for professionals. Furthermore, he hopes to participate in horseback archery competitions as an opportunity to introduce Vietnamese traditions and customs to international friends.