Buzz
Folk games have long been a cultural beauty of the nation. Embracing the joyful atmosphere in the first days of the new year, everyone eagerly participates in traditional folk games. These games not only create a lively atmosphere at the beginning of the year but also help dispel the fatigue of the old year, preparing the best spirit to welcome a new year full of joy and happiness. To help you understand more about traditional folk games during Tet, Mytour will explore them with you in the following article.
1. Tug of War
When it comes to traditional folk games during Tet, tug of war is undoubtedly a must. This is a team-building game that demonstrates clever cooperation among team members. The rules are quite simple: Each round will have 2 teams participating, each team consisting of 9-10 people (more or fewer, as desired) but ensuring an equal number of members between the two teams. After the referee starts, the two teams will use all their strength to pull the rope, so that the opponent crosses the white line between the two teams to become the winning team.
2. Duck-catching Game
In ancient Vietnamese villages, Tet is incomplete without games that bring luck and blessings. One of the most popular luck-enhancing games is the duck-catching game. Before the game begins, organizers need to prepare a spacious empty ground, enclosed in a circle, along with large, healthy ducks that can run and fly quickly. To start the game, two participants will be blindfolded and placed inside the prepared circle. A duck will be released into the circle. The startled duck will quack and fly, running in chaos. The participants, guided by the quacking sound, will chase to catch it. When the duck is caught, the game concludes. Two other participants will then continue playing.
3. Earth Pot Breaking
Earth pot breaking is a traditional folk game during Tet, rich in the cultural colors of the Northern region. It is usually held in communal yards or spacious grounds. Before playing, two columns are planted in the middle of the yard, about 5 meters apart, with a rope tied in between serving as a hanging rack for clay pots. The starting point is marked about 3 to 5 meters from the hanging rack. Before playing, participants are brought to the starting line, blindfolded, and given a long stick about 50cm in length. Upon the referee's signal, participants must orient themselves and determine the distance to accurately strike one of the clay pots hanging on the rope. The person who successfully breaks the pot receives the reward written on a piece of paper placed inside the shattered pot.
4. Swing Game
Swing, a quite popular game in Vietnam, is greatly enjoyed by people during the Tet holiday. Despite its decreasing popularity in recent years, no one can deny the entertaining nature it brings. Before the game starts, the organizing committee will select sturdy bamboo poles to accommodate the number of players. There are various ways to play swing, but the most common are single and double swings. While single swings showcase grace and elegance, male participants in single swings demonstrate strength. For double swings, there can be either two males or a male and a female pair, with the latter being the most favored. This is a time for couples to showcase their talents and perhaps even find a connection. That's the beauty of this game.
5. Blindfolded Goat-catching Game
An ancient folk game, widely popular across the country, traditionally reserved for young men and women during festive occasions, now adapted for children. There's no limit to the number of players, but participants are recommended to be familiar with each other beforehand. Everyone engages in rock-paper-scissors, and the loser becomes the blindfolded seeker. The game begins with the remaining players forming a circle, and the blindfolded person walks around to catch someone. Upon catching someone, they must guess the person's identity. If correct, the caught person replaces the blindfolded seeker; otherwise, the game continues.
6. Human Chess
This is a variation of chess where instead of the usual black and white pieces, human players take their place, each wearing a sign with the piece's name on their chest, standing in the corresponding position. Two opponents sit behind, directing the players to move as per their strategy. The movement principle follows the knight, bishop, rook, and cannon. To secure victory, players need to stay calm and focused, not getting distracted by onlookers offering advice.
7. Wrestling Match
As a martially inclined nation, no New Year celebration is complete without thrilling wrestling matches. Participants can be strong young men from the village or the region, showcasing their physical prowess. Each wrestling round involves two participants demonstrating their strength by lifting or toppling their opponent. The last person standing on the stage is the victor.
8. Bamboo Stilt Walking
Bamboo stilt walking is a traditional game that demands good health and the graceful coordination of the entire body. Despite its difficulty, it brings the heartiest laughter due to its captivating and unpredictable nature. Participants walk on bamboo stilts crafted from sturdy bamboo poles. The handholds are just right, and footholds are made of two thick branches, one end attached to the main pole, the other with a woven bamboo support, forming a sturdy triangle for stable foot placement and body balance.
9. Cockfighting
Cockfighting is a highly entertaining game loved by many in their twilight years. However, it requires meticulous care, selection, nurturing, and training. In this game, two fighting roosters are released to clash, aiming to strike each other's armpits, throat, or chest, attempting to subdue the opponent in the arena. Some matches can last for hours without a clear winner. The allure of this game lies not only in the spectacular bouts but also in the lively debates and discussions among spectators, enhancing the festive atmosphere.
10. Crossing the Wobbly Bridge
Crossing the wobbly bridge is an age-old folk game, simple yet incredibly entertaining. To add excitement, a wobbly bamboo bridge is designed over a wide area or across a pond. The player's task is to skillfully climb the bridge to claim the reward without falling. It can be said that this is the most captivating and enjoyable traditional game during the Tet holiday.
In this article, Mytour has introduced you to unique and interesting traditional games during the Lunar New Year. We hope that the information provided in the article will help you understand more about the games and their rules, so you can confidently participate. Thank you for following the article, and we wish you a prosperous and secure new year.
