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 Vietnam’s ancient martial arts and military traditions. 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 and prepare for potential foreign invasions.
These generals devised a unique training game for their soldiers, which has now become a beloved tradition. A large wooden ball, called Qua Phet, was crafted and greased before being rolled out into an open field. Soldiers would then engage in a thrilling contest, fighting to seize control of the ball and place it in a designated spot. Those who succeeded were bestowed with generous rewards.
To honor the legacy of these legendary generals, the people of Lap Thach constructed five communal houses, which serve as both a place to safeguard the sacred balls and a venue for the spirited games. The festival is believed to bring good fortune to the lucky villager who captures the ball, and this luck is thought to extend to the entire community for the coming year.
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The festival is a vibrant celebration divided into two main parts: solemn ceremonies and energetic festival games. Photos: Ngoc Tu – Duy Khanh/The Hanoi Times
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The ceremony includes the traditional offering of incense and processions to the village communal houses, paying respect to the generals’ legacy.
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The highlight of the festival is the ball robbery game, which attracts hundreds of enthusiastic young men from the four villages.
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A close-up of the wooden ball, the center of attention during the games.
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The procession of the saint’s palanquin, with a mannequin dressed as a mandarin, adds a festive and cultural touch to the event.
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The crowd cheers on the competitors, their excitement building as they await the moment when someone successfully captures the elusive wooden ball.
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It is believed that whoever touches the ball during the game will be blessed with good luck for the entire year.
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The Da Cau Cuop Phet Festival provides a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in Vietnam’s cultural history and experience the community’s spirit and excitement as they carry on a tradition passed down for generations.
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