Human chess – The polk game in Vietnam’s cultural festivals
If have a chance of taking part in Vietnamese cultural festival (such as: village and temple festivals), you will watch a folk game – Human Chess
Folk games & Toys
Vietnamese folk game: O an quan (Mandarin Square Capturing)
Either boys or girls, usually age’s seven to ten, play the two-person game of O an quan (literally: Mandarin Square Capturing). They draw a rectangle on the ground and divide…
Vietnamese folk game: Boat racing
From time immemorial, boat racing has appeared in Vietnam. It is not only a competition but also a ritual in honour of the Water God, stemming from the act of…
Vietnamese traditional toy: To He
The village of Xuan La in Phu Xuyen District. Ha Tay Province is well known for its skill in making delicate to he toys, which are figurines fashioned from coloured…
Vietnamese traditional game: Bamboo Swings (Đánh đu)
The game is most popular in the northern delta, especially along the banks of the Duong River in Bac Ninh Province. Residents in many villages around Hanoi, including the ancient…
Human chess – the traditional Vietnamese game
Human chess (cờ người) is a popular game at village and temple festival. The game follows the general rules of Chinese chess. The concept is recognizably similar to Western chess,…
Vietnamese folk game: Cock fighting
Cock fighting, a long-standing form of popular entertainment, is organised during traditional festivals throughout Vietnam. Raising roosters for cockfighting requires heavy investments in time and labour. Professional trainers choose young…
Vietnamese folk game: Kéo co
Villagers across Vietnam play various forms of tug of war (Keo Co). The game is always symbolically linked to the seasons, weather and crops. Tug of war is a popular…
Vietnamese folk game: Nem con
Each ethnic group in Vietnam has unique ways of celebrating Tet. The Tay people of Cao Bang and Lang Son Province have a special Tet game that not only ushers…