The Da Cau Cuop Phet Festival, or “Ball Kicking and Robbing Festival,” is a vibrant and energetic celebration held annually in Ban Gian Commune, Lap Thach District, in the northern province of Vinh Phuc, just 70 kilometers from Hanoi. This year, the festival took place on the 7th day of the Lunar New Year, falling on February 4th, and is believed to bring good luck to the winner of its thrilling signature game.
With a history spanning centuries, the festival honors Vietnam’s ancient martial arts traditions and military preparedness. Its origins date back to the reign of the Third Hung King (2524 – 2253 BC), a time of internal strife and banditry in the country, including the Lap Thach area.
In response to the turmoil, the king dispatched four generals to restore order in the region. These generals, in preparation for potential foreign invasions, devised a unique training game for their soldiers. A large wooden ball, named Qua Phet, was crafted, greased, and rolled out into an open field, where soldiers would engage in a spirited contest to seize control of it. The soldiers who successfully captured the ball and returned it to a designated spot received special recognition and rewards.
As a tribute to the legendary generals, the people of Lap Thach constructed five communal houses to safeguard the sacred balls and carry on the tradition of the game. It is believed that the villager who demonstrates skill and luck in capturing the ball will be blessed with good fortune, bringing prosperity to the entire community for the coming year.
 Photos: Ngoc Tu – Duy Khanh/The Hanoi Times |
| The festival is a joyous two-part event, comprising a solemn ceremony and an exhilarating series of activities. |
 The traditional offering of incense during the ceremony. |
| The ceremony includes the offering of incense and processions to the village communal houses, honoring the legacy of the generals and the ancient traditions. |
 The highlight of the festival: the ball robbery game. |
| Hundreds of young men from the four villages gather for the exhilarating ball robbery game, a testament to their agility, strength, and spirit. |
 A close-up of the wooden ball, the centerpiece of the game. |
.jpeg) The saint’s palanquin adds a festive touch to the procession. |
| The procession of the saint’s palanquin, bearing a mannequin dressed as a mandarin, infuses the event with a sense of cultural significance and celebration. |
 Competitors in Action |
| The crowd cheers on the competitors, eagerly anticipating the moment when one of them will successfully capture the elusive wooden ball. |
 The lucky touch of the ball. |
| It is believed that whoever touches the ball during the game will be blessed with good luck for the entire year, making it a highly anticipated moment for all participants. |
The Da Cau Cuop Phet Festival is more than just a celebration; it is a living testament to Vietnam’s rich cultural history and community spirit. This unique tradition, passed down for generations, offers a rare opportunity to immerse oneself in the excitement and camaraderie of a bygone era.
