Bach Hac Temple Festival

In the Vietnamese language, Bach Hac translates to "the White Crane." Nestled peacefully on a hill with a stunning view of the Lo River, the temple is located in the Bach Hac district of Viet Tri City. Each year, the Bach Hac Temple Festival is held over three days from the 3rd to the 5th of the lunar calendar. This festival celebrates the exploits of Tho Lenh Dai Vuong, a deity who is said to have blessed the region in ancient times. A highlight of the festival is the vibrant parade that takes place along the Lo River, alongside the traditional Vietnamese game, Cuop Cau.

Every year, villagers cast their votes to select one individual responsible for sewing the balls used in the festival. This role is considered a great honor, and the selected individuals are typically respected members of the community. A complete set of festival balls includes one large ball and eight smaller ones, each adorned with colorful fabric and beautifully crafted threads. One end of the thread is attached to the ball, while the other connects to a bamboo rod. Additionally, each ball is adorned with a long, colorful ribbon.
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Once completed, the balls are brought into the temple to commence the worship ceremony. Following this, village leaders take their turns tossing the balls into the crowd, inviting participants to compete for them. Each leader launches three balls at once, reciting a short passage that praises the beauty of the village and honors Duc Thanh Hoang, the deity who oversees the prosperity of local families.
Whether an individual retrieves one ball or the entire set of three, they can choose to take them home or leave them at the temple for worship. Most participants opt for the latter, placing the balls at the temple to honor the tradition.

While the Bach Hac Temple Festival is primarily a traditional event, it serves to commemorate the bravery and resilience of the Vietnamese people, who have continually stood ready to defend their homeland.