Checkers
Among the folk games, this is probably the most intellectual game. Vietnamese children, especially in big cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in the 1970s and 1980s, all played this game at least once. With just a piece of chalk, a brick or pebbles and a small yard, it is enough for young people to freely compete with their wits. The game board is a rectangle divided into 10 squares called the people's squares, each side has 5 symmetrical squares. The first two parts are drawn in a semicircle called the mandarin's square.
To win, the player must think of a way to get more pieces than the opponent.
Dragon snake up to the clouds
This is a collective game, requiring the strength and dexterity of the players. The rules are relatively simple, with a leader who is the doctor (some places call him the host). And a group of people line up in a long line, the person standing behind grabs the hem of the shirt or hugs the waist of the person standing in front. The game begins with all the players singing loudly "Rong snake len may, co cay luc ra..." While singing, they walk around, then stop in front of the doctor's house and ask which song the doctor chooses? After the doctor has chosen a satisfactory song, it will be time for the doctor to find every way to catch the person in the chosen song.
The person at the head of the line has the duty to extend his arms to protect and steer so that the doctor can catch the chosen person.
Blind man's bluff
Among the folk games, this is probably the most popular game, not only in the city, the countryside but also in all parts of the country. The way to play this game is quite simple, after rock-paper-scissors, there will be a loser, this person must be blindfolded and go find the remaining people. The remaining people hold hands in a circle, the blindfolded person in the middle will go around and find anyone.
When finding someone, the blindfolded person must guess who it is. If the guess is correct, the person who was caught must replace the blindfolded person. If not, the other person must continue to be blindfolded to "catch the goat."
Hop
This is a game that was often seen in schoolyards many years ago. Players will choose a spacious yard, draw a rectangle, then divide the shape into 7-10 boxes depending on the playing preferences of each person, each group and number them 1, 2, 3... in those boxes. Each player will choose a slipper or a square brick within reach, then will play rock-paper-scissors or compete to throw slippers, throw bricks to see who goes first.
Next, each person will go to the chosen position. The rule of the game is that each person will take turns throwing bricks and slippers into each square and hopscotch into the other squares. Whoever goes to all the squares and builds the house first will win.
Seesaw
During Tet, next to the communal house or a large, dry field, people prepare swing poles. They choose large, long bamboo trees to plant swings. A swing can be planted by 4-6 large bamboo trees. The swing poles are also long but thin bamboo trees, usually male bamboo so that when the swinger holds on, it can be tight and firm to avoid slipping or losing his hand when swinging fast and strong.
Depending on preference, people swing alone or in pairs. When one person gets on the swing, they can ask another person to push them to gain momentum. Then they swing freely. The most beautiful is to swing in pairs, where couples who like each other choose to swing together, one swings the other one pushes.
The talents and courage of the boys and girls are displayed here as an opportunity for self-expression.
Wrestling
Wrestling is a martial art, also a very famous sport during Tet and Festivals. In Vietnam, in addition to Tet wrestling, there are many wrestling festivals in Lang Sinh, Lieu Doi, Ha Nam, Mai Dong... In the past, in the Bac Ninh and Phu Tho regions, there were wrestling camps and wrestlers famous throughout the region. To encourage the talent and training of young men, many villages and communes offered very high wrestling prizes during the three days of Tet. In the past, people awarded prizes in the form of money, bronze trays, bronze pots or other things. The general rule of the match is that the winner must wrestle the opponent to the ground or lift the opponent up.
In this sport, not only strength is required, but intelligence and agility also play a significant role. Technically, there are also its own "tricks" such as padding, lifting, holding... but depending on each situation and condition, the wrestler must know how to take full advantage of the opportunities to knock down or lift the opponent.
Cockfighting
This is a hobby that is present in most Tet and festival days. Many villages are famous for cockfighting such as Dinh Bang (Bac Ninh), Tho Ha, Yen Phu (Yen Phong) or some other places in the three regions of the Central, South and North... The fighting cocks are raised very elaborately and trained with other fighting cocks to gradually get used to the battles. Cockfighting arenas on the occasion of Tet often attract a large number of spectators.
Tug of war
It is a game that attracts many people to participate, both for health training and fun and relaxation. It has become a popular group game in many places in Vietnam. The way to play is simple, the number of players is up to you, divided into two equal sides, marking a line so that the side that can pull the opponent to the other side of the line wins.
Play Chinese chess - human chess
This is an elegant and intellectual pastime for leisure time. The elders often meet over a cup of tea and open a chess board to entertain themselves. 32 chess pieces are divided into two sides (16 red pieces and 16 black pieces). Once set up, the battle of wits begins. Human chess is also Chinese chess, with the chess pieces being real people. It is also played on the field. 16 men in red shirts and 16 women in black shirts wear badges (names of chess pieces) on their chests and stand in position.
Two generals (Mr. General, Mrs. General) are dressed beautifully (like in Chinese chess) with two pennant flags crossed behind their backs, covered by parasols. On sunny days, each chess piece has a person holding an umbrella, standing beside it and following it each time it moves. The two opponents sit behind. There is a flag bearer, taking care of the movement of the pieces according to the player's wishes.
Each time a player makes a move, the player (with the drum) beats once. The flag bearer comes to listen to the command and moves the pieces on the field. The rules for moving the pieces are horse in a row, elephant in a row, chariot in a row, and cannon in a row.
When entering the game, you must be calm, cautious, proactive, and not be distracted by people giving you tips. When making a move, you must plan 2-3 moves in advance to avoid being surprised by your opponent.
Chinese chess and human chess are often seen in festivals, New Year's Day, and New Year celebrations.
