Skip to main content

Advertisement

Advertisement

Vietnamese kick to keep ancient ‘foot badminton’ afloat

HANOI — Dusk and dawn sees Hanoi’s leafy squares littered with devotees of da cau, Vietnam’s ancient game of so-called “foot badminton” which endures despite the inevitable advance of football.

Da Cau, or foot badminton in Vietnamese, players in Hanoi. Photo: AFP

Da Cau, or foot badminton in Vietnamese, players in Hanoi. Photo: AFP

Follow TODAY on WhatsApp

HANOI — Dusk and dawn sees Hanoi’s leafy squares littered with devotees of da cau, Vietnam’s ancient game of so-called “foot badminton” which endures despite the inevitable advance of football.

And it is not just the world’s most popular sport that da cau enthusiasts must contend with: they also compete for space with people playing badminton, riding hoverboards or shaking their hips in a public zumba class.

But the da cau diehards say they are going nowhere.

“I do play football, but I find da cau more interesting,” said Mr Tuan Anh, who regularly leads a group of up to 50 people in central Hanoi at sunset.

The centuries-old game, which originated in China, involves keepy-up with a shuttlecock among any number of players for as long as possible, or knocking it over a net.

Though the game is enjoyed in public squares, it was not always a street affair.

Vietnamese emperors and feudal kings often encouraged soldiers to play da cau to improve health for battles, and to let off a little steam.

Da cau was also played to celebrate bumper harvests or traditional festivals.

Today it has become a national pastime, played by amateurs and professionals — who dive and kick in spectacular style to keep the shuttlecock afloat.

Some say they are drawn to the cooperative spirit of the game, a way to unwind at the end of a long day at the office.

“Da cau is a team game. People play in clubs and teams, so it encourages teamwork and cooperation,” said 24-year-old Nguyen Bich Hien, an employee at the Hanoi stock exchange.

“Going to the gym or walking, you have no companions, so it’s not as much fun.” AFP

Read more of the latest in

Advertisement

Advertisement

Stay in the know. Anytime. Anywhere.

Subscribe to get daily news updates, insights and must reads delivered straight to your inbox.

By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis.