Top 12 Most Entertaining Traditional Folk Games During Tet

A widely popular game in the old countryside. The joy of spinning tops is captivating not only for children but also for adults, showcasing the cleverness of players and adding an exciting competitive spirit. On Tet days, children receive a small amount of money from adults and are allowed to spend it on games like spinning tops, which is highly attractive.

The game is straightforward, played on a flat piece of ground. Depending on the player's rules, holes are dug—larger or smaller, easier or harder. Around the hole, a designated line is drawn, and players stand behind it, tossing marbles toward the hole. The distance between the line and the hole is determined by the players, with a longer distance making it more challenging. The player whose marble lands in the hole gets to enjoy the spoils. The game continues in turns until no marbles are left...

In a field, by a pond... players gather to form a circle. The game is primarily for fun, with the possibility of awarding prizes depending on the location. Participants register, and each round involves two players entering the play area.

One person is blindfolded tightly. Of the two, one acts as the goat, and the other tries to catch. The person playing the goat, while running away, occasionally makes noises to signal the catcher where to pursue...

During the warm Tet seasons, in some rural areas, there's an activity called catching ducks in the pond. Catching ducks on land is easy, but catching them underwater is not so simple. The number of participants ranges from 2 to 4, depending on the size of the pond.

Two healthy ducks are released into the pond, and 2 or 4 participants, depending on the setup, take turns diving to catch them. If someone catches a duck, that duck becomes their prize. This game doesn't involve blindfolding, but it requires quickness, agility, and swimming skills.

Blindfolded drumming is a traditional folk game that contributes to developing spatial orientation, sensitivity in judgment... for the players, creating a lively, relaxing, and cohesive atmosphere.

Two teams are selected, each consisting of 5 to 7 players, both male and female. A drum is placed on a chair or table about 10 meters from the starting point. Players are blindfolded, and when the start signal is given, they begin to move toward the drumming location. The team with more players hitting the drum will win.

Jumping Sack Race is a simple community game suitable for various age groups, very popular in community activities worldwide. Before playing, the referee counts the number of players to divide them into two teams, each with 5 to 7 members. If many people play, divide them into three or four teams with an equal number of players. During the game, as many teams participate as there are rows set up, and two boundary lines are drawn at the two ends of the rows, about 5 meters apart. One line is the starting point, and one line is the turning point.

Before playing, each team is given a sack weighing 100 kg and arranged in a row in front of the team's designated area. Participants stand at the specified line. When the referee blows the first whistle, signaling the start of the game, the players at the front of each team step into the sack, holding the mouth of the sack tightly with both hands. When they hear the second whistle, they start jumping. Players must quickly jump step by step to the forward line and then return to the starting line to hand the sack to the next person. This continues until the last person.

The most challenging part of the sack race is maintaining balance because it is easy to trip and fall when exerting force to jump quickly to overtake opponents. The team that finishes first wins. In the game, players who jump before the starting signal, jump back before reaching the specified turning point, or drop the sack before reaching the finish line violate the rules and are eliminated from the game.

It is an engaging game that attracts many participants, serving both as a physical exercise and a source of joy and relaxation. It has become a popular group game and tradition in many places across our country.

The gameplay is simple, and the number of players can vary. Players are divided into two equal teams. A piece of red fabric is tied in the middle of a rope to create a boundary between the two teams. A lime line marks the point, and the team that pulls the other across the lime line wins.

Wrestling is a martial art game and a very popular sport during Tet and festival occasions. The general rule of the match is that the winner must make the opponent fall flat on their back (falling upside down to the ground) or lift them up.

This sport not only requires physical strength but also considerable intelligence and agility. There are specific techniques such as cushioning, striking, and gripping, which, depending on the situation and wrestling conditions, must be used effectively to take advantage of opportunities to throw or lift the opponent.

During Tet, next to the communal house or on a spacious, dry field, people prepare swing columns. They choose large, tall bamboo for swing planting. One swing may be planted with 4-6 large bamboo poles. The swing sticks are also slender and small, usually male bamboo, to make it easy and secure for the swinger to grip and prevent slipping or dropping during fast, strong swings.

Depending on preferences, people may swing alone or in pairs. When a person goes up, they can ask someone else to give them a push for momentum. After that, the swinger bounces at will. The most beautiful is the double swing, where pairs of boys and girls choose each other to swing, one bouncing, the other pushing. Talents and courage of the young men and women are showcased here as an opportunity to express themselves.

Engage in the fun-filled activity of catching ducks in bamboo enclosures. Participants gather around 5-7 bamboo enclosures set up in the village square, each filled with two-thirds water and containing a duck.

As the game commences, each pair of individuals, one male and one female, approach a bamboo enclosure. They intertwine one arm while using the other to attempt catching the elusive duck. The slippery nature of the ducks often results in participants only grasping each other's hands. The villagers cheer and tease the pairs, reminding them to embrace while trying to catch the ducks. Laughter, banter, and the sound of drums fill the lively atmosphere. When a pair successfully catches a duck, they proudly raise their hands for everyone to see, claiming their reward.

Experience the traditional game of Earth Pot Breaking, widely popular in many rural villages of Northern Vietnam. Typically played in communal spaces or open fields, the game involves setting up two poles in the center, spaced 5 meters apart, with a rope connecting them to suspend the pots. A marked line, approximately 3 to 5 meters from the hanging pots, serves as the starting point.

Prior to the game, each participant is handed a stick, approximately 50cm long, by the referee. With blindfolds on, participants must orient themselves, estimate the distance to the hanging pots, and attempt to break one of the suspended pots. Successfully breaking a pot earns the player a reward noted on a small piece of paper placed inside the broken pot...

Embrace the engaging and health-enhancing game of Tug of War, a popular group activity and cultural tradition across various regions in our country.

The rules are simple, accommodating any number of players. Participants are divided into two teams, and a marked line in chalk is drawn. The team that successfully pulls the opposing side across the chalk line is declared the winner.

Engage in this refined and intellectual pastime during moments of leisure after the lingering essence of wine. Elders often convene around tea cups, unveiling the chessboard for entertainment. The 32 chess pieces are divided into two factions (16 red and 16 black), setting the stage for a battle of wits. Human Chess mirrors the traditional Chinese Chess, with real people as the chess pieces, played on an open field. Sixteen men clad in red and sixteen women in black, each wearing a placard displaying the name of their chess piece, stand in formation. The two commanders (General Sir and General Madam), adorned like chess pieces with two ribbon tails crisscrossing behind them, are concealed under canopies. In case of sunny weather, each chess piece has an attendant with an umbrella, standing by and shadowing their every move. The opponents sit behind, strategizing their every move. A designated person runs between the chessboard and the players, carrying out their moves as directed.

Each move is accompanied by a drumbeat from the player, signaling the chess piece carrier to execute the move on the field. The sequence of moves follows the traditional chess hierarchy, with the knight leaping, the bishop diagonal, and the rook moving linearly. Participants must maintain composure and caution, proactively avoiding distraction from onlookers offering advice. Every move requires careful calculation of the subsequent 2 to 3 moves to avoid unexpected setbacks from the opponent. Human Chess, also known as Battle of the Chess Pieces, is commonly seen during festivals, New Year celebrations, and festive occasions.