Vietnamese traditional games have played a vital role in our culture from time to time. They have still been very strong and magical attractions to every Vietnamese child. Stories about these games spread into every corner of the country; therefore, travelers should enjoy once if they desire traveling to Vietnam.

Keo Co

This traditional folk game is held at festivals and community events in the Red River Delta and the north-central region, especially Vinh Phuc, Bac Ninh and Ha Noi, to highlight the teamwork spirit and pray for good weather and good harvest. In 2015, UNESCO acknowledged Keo co of Vietnam as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity, together with Cambodia, South Korea and the Philippines. This is the first multinational heritage also shared by Vietnam.

Choi Chuyen

Choi Chuyen includes ten thin, well-sharpened, round bamboo sticks and a ball, which traditionally is a fig, a miniature variety of eggplant, a small rock or a clod of clay.These days, tennis balls are becoming more popular as a substitute. The player tosses the ball into the air. While the ball is in the air, she must quickly pick up the sticks and then catch the ball.

Rong Ran Len May

Rong Ran Len May is one of several famous Vietnamese traditional games appealing to every child in the country. Whenever they have their pastime, they sometimes play it to have a lot of fun, which expresses a part of Vietnam tradition and custom.

There are two characters in this game including a doctor and a long dragon with a tail. The long dragon consists of more than 5 people. The doctor flies to attempt to catch the child who represents the tail of the dragon. The head of the dragon stretches his arms to avoid the doctor finding his tail while the tail tries to hide and make a circle.

Bit Mat Dap Nieu

The game is quite popular in villages in the Northern Vietnam. It is usually held in a temple’s yard or a spacious area. Earthenware pots are hung on a horizontal rope. Blindfolded players stand at a line 3 to 5 meters from the rope and use a stick to break an earthenware pot. There is a paper note inside the pot indicating a particular prize.

Hat Bai Choi

Hat Bai Choi is the most famous traditional game in the Central Vietnam during Tet holiday. There are 11 tents in this unique game, 1 main tent in the middle for the referees and 5 tents for each side of the main one.

The game starts when the referee randomly picks a card from 33 pieces of the whole card board. The referee then sings a riddle about the card and people in other tents must try to guest the name. Which tent gets the right name first will earn the card. If a tent gains 3 cards, it considered “achieve” and a traditional band will perform music to celebrate the success.