[Photo] Springtime in Bản Liền, playing with chicken feathers
The boisterous laughter mingled with the rhythmic flying of feathered balls has become a familiar sound during festivals and Tet (Lunar New Year) celebrations in Ban Lien commune. The feathered ball game is a folk tradition, a connecting thread within the community, and a source of pride for the Tay people here. Today, this traditional beauty is becoming an attractive tourist product, contributing to the unique cultural identity of the Lao Cai highlands. 
During festivals, New Year celebrations, and periods of leisure time, the Tay people often gather in large, flat fields or yards to play games like throwing chicken feathers.
As for the game of "chicken feathers," it can be played by at least two people or more.
No longer just a game for couples getting to know each other as in the past, nowadays, feather throwing is a game for all ages, from the elderly to young children.
To play this game, two essential items are the ball and the game board (also known as the ball-playing board).
The shrimp-catching board is also made of wood, with a round, flat surface, symbolizing the moon - a sacred image in the spiritual life of the Tay people.
The feather ball is made entirely by hand, with each ball using 3-5 evenly sized chicken feathers, specifically those from a hen. The base is made from a small, lightweight yet sturdy bamboo tube.
When attaching the chicken feathers, the maker must carefully adjust them so that the ball can spin smoothly and fly straight when it takes off.
In the old days, there weren't many games, so our ancestors invented the game of using chicken feathers for everyone to play together. Today, people preserve this tradition so that it doesn't disappear.
The game of "chicken feather throwing" is organized during many festivals and community tourism activities in Ban Lien. Tourists visiting here have the opportunity to experience this unique game, immersing themselves with the locals in the joyful atmosphere and rich cultural identity of the highlands.
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