The Da Cau Cuop Phet Festival, or “Ball Kicking and Robbing Festival,” is a lively and joyous event 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 the exciting and energetic games.
With a history spanning centuries, the festival celebrates and 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.
As a response to the turmoil, the king dispatched four generals to bring order to the region. These generals, in preparation for potential foreign invasions, devised a unique and thrilling game for their soldiers. A large wooden ball, named Qua Phet, was crafted, greased, and rolled out into an open field, where soldiers would eagerly engage in a spirited fight to seize possession of it. The brave and skillful soldiers who successfully captured the ball and returned it to the designated spot were bestowed with abundant rewards and honored greatly.
The people of Lap Thach, to pay homage to these legendary generals and their strategic legacy, constructed five communal houses. These houses serve as sacred repositories for the revered balls and also as venues for the enthusiastic festival games. It is deeply believed that the fortunate villager who demonstrates their prowess by capturing the ball will be blessed with immense good fortune, and their luck will extend to bring prosperity to the entire community for the forthcoming year.
| The festival is a vibrant celebration with two main parts: solemn ceremonies and energetic festival games. Photos: Ngoc Tu – Duy Khanh/The Hanoi Times |
| The ceremonies include the offering of incense and respectful processions to the communal houses, honoring the village’s rich history and traditions. |
| The highlight of the festival is the thrilling ball robbery game, attracting hundreds of energetic young men from the four villages, eager to showcase their strength and skill. |
| A close-up of the wooden ball, the center of attention during the festival games. |
| Adding to the festive atmosphere is the procession of the saint’s palanquin, adorned with a mannequin dressed as a mandarin, a unique and colorful sight. |
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| The crowd gathers eagerly, cheering on the competitors and awaiting the moment when a skilled participant successfully captures the elusive wooden ball. |
| According to local beliefs, whoever touches the ball during the festival is blessed with good luck and fortune for the entire year, making it a highly anticipated event. |
| The Da Cau Cuop Phet Festival presents a unique and rare opportunity to immerse oneself in Vietnam’s cultural history and experience the vibrant community spirit and excitement of a tradition that has been passed down for generations. |
