Opening Ceremony of the 2025 Ky Lua Firecracker Head Festival

On the morning of February 24 (the 27th day of the first lunar month, Year of the Snake), the Festival Organizing Committee of Hoang Van Thu Ward, Lang Son City, held the 2025 Ky Lua Firecracker Head Festival. This event is a highlight of the Ky Cung – Ta Phu Temple Festival, which has been recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage.

Performance from the story about Left-Commander-in-Chief, the Duke of Han Than Cong Tai

Attending the festival were Mr. Duong Xuan Huyen, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Mr. Dinh Huu Hoc, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council; along with representatives from various provincial departments, agencies, and district authorities; leaders of the Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, and the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Lang Son City; delegation from Chongzuo City and Pingxiang County, Guangxi, China, representatives from neighboring provinces, and a large number of local residents and visitors from across the country.

During the program, delegates, local residents, and visitors enjoyed a variety of outstanding artistic performances, with a highlight being the theatrical reenactment of the story of Left-Commander-in-Chief, the Duke of Han Than Cong Tai, who is worshiped at Ta Phu – Ky Lua Temple. Left-Commander-in-Chief, the Duke of Han Than Cong Tai was a military official during the Le Kings – Trinh Lords period and made significant contributions to expanding trade and commercial exchanges between Lang Son (Vietnam) and China in the late 17th century. He also initiated the development of seven roads and seven wards, establishing the Ky Lua Market Street, which played a crucial role in improving the economy and enhancing the livelihoods of Lang Son's ethnic communities.

According to local folklore, during Left-Commander-in-Chief, the Duke of Han Than Cong Tai’s tenure, there was a year when bandits rose up and disturbed the lives of the people. He mobilized the stationed military forces and worked with the local population to defeat the bandits. Following this victory, he initiated an annual festival to celebrate the triumph at the beginning of spring. Since then, the Firecracker Head Festival has been held every year and has gained increasing recognition, attracting more and more visitors from inside and outside the province.

A large number of locals and visitors enthusiastically participated in the Firecracker Head Grabbing event

The Ky Lua Firecracker Head Festival takes place annually on the 27th day of the first lunar month. The most exciting and unique part of the festival is the Firecracker Head Grabbing event. According to folk beliefs, whoever successfully grabs the firecracker head and brings it home to worship will enjoy good health, happiness, prosperity, and good fortune throughout the year. Thanks to favorable weather conditions, this year's Firecracker Head Grabbing event attracted a large number of local residents and visitors from inside and outside the province.

Feelings of the person who won the firecracker head in 2025

At this year’s festival, Mr. Dinh Van Nhien, a 50-year-old resident of Thanh Mien District, Hai Duong Province, successfully grabbed the firecracker head. According to the festival’s official rules, he was awarded 2 million VND, a tray of sticky rice with chicken, and a five-fruit tray. Since he lives far away, the firecracker head will be kept at the temple for worship. As per tradition, on the 20th day of the first lunar month next year, the person who obtained the firecracker head must return it and perform a gratitude offering ceremony. After the Ky Lua Firecracker Head Festival concluded, at 12:00 noon on February 24 (the 27th day of the first lunar month, Year of the Snake), the Organizing Committee held the palanquin procession of Tuan Tranh, escorting the deity’s palanquin from Ta Phu – Ky Lua Temple (Hoang Van Thu Ward) to Ky Cung Temple (Vinh Trai Ward).