Traditional Folk Games: The Eternal Soul of Vietnamese Childhood
Folk games have always been an essential "spiritual nourishment," deeply woven into the childhood memories of countless Vietnamese people. The following article compiles 50 of the most beloved and popular folk games and group activities, often enjoyed during village festivals and Tết Nguyên Đán (Lunar New Year). We invite you to explore!
1. The Group Folk Game: Dung Dăng Dung Dẻ (Wandering to and Fro)
Dung dăng dung dẻ is a cherished children's folk game in Vietnam today. It is best played in open spaces like a courtyard or a vacant lot. The ideal number of players is between 5 and 10. How to Play & Rules: A game master draws several small circles on the ground—fewer circles than the number of players. The players then form a line by holding onto each other's clothing, walking around the circles while chanting: "Dung dăng dung dẻ, dắt trẻ đi chơi, đi đến cổng trời, gặp cậu gặp mợ, cho cháu về quê, cho dê đi học, cho cóc ở nhà, cho gà bới bếp, ngồi xệp xuống đây." Upon the final word, "đây," everyone must quickly find a circle and sit down. The player left without a circle is eliminated. If two players sit in the same circle, the one who sits first wins. After each round, one more circle is removed, and the game continues until only two players remain.
2. How to Play the Folk Game: Chi Chi Chành Chành (Open and Shut)
This folk game requires at least three players. One player extends their hand, palm open, while the others place their index fingers inside the palm. The player with the open hand quickly recites the rhyme: "Chi chi chành chành. Cái đanh thổi lửa. Con ngựa chết chương. Ba vương ngũ đế. Chấp chế đi tìm. Ù à ù ập." On the word "ập," the hand snaps shut. The others must try to pull their fingers away in time. Anyone caught becomes the new "holder" and must recite the rhyme for the next round.
3. The Game: Ô Ăn Quan (Mandarin Square Capturing)
Draw a rectangle divided lengthwise, then crosswise into five evenly spaced rows, creating ten small squares. At each end of the rectangle, draw a large semicircle—these are the two "quan" (mandarin) squares, each marked with a distinctively shaped and colored large pebble. Place five small pebbles in each of the ten small squares. Two players face off. The first player chooses a small square and picks up all its pebbles. They then distribute one pebble into each subsequent square in a counterclockwise direction. When the last pebble is placed, the player takes the pebbles from the next square and continues. If the last pebble lands in an empty square, the player captures all the pebbles from the square immediately after it. These captured pebbles are set aside. The turn then passes to the opponent. The game continues until all pebbles and the two "quan" pieces are captured. The player with the most pebbles wins.
4. The Folk Game: Mèo Đuổi Chuột (Cat and Mouse)
This is a classic Vietnamese group game for 7 to 10 players. Everyone stands in a circle, holding hands and raising them overhead. They begin to sing: "Mèo đuổi chuột. Mời bạn ra đây. Tay nắm chặt tay. Đứng thành vòng rộng. Chuột luồn lỗ hổng. Mèo chạy đằng sau. Thế rồi chú chuột lại đóng vai mèo. Co cẳng chạy theo, bác mèo hóa chuột." Two players are chosen: one as the cat, one as the mouse. They stand back-to-back in the center. On the last line of the song, the mouse starts to run, weaving in and out of the circle. The cat must follow the exact same path. The cat wins if it catches the mouse. The two then switch roles, and the game continues.
5. How to Play: Rồng Rắn Lên Mây (Dragon Snake Ascending to the Clouds)
Rồng rắn lên mây is a delightful and educational game for children. First, choose one player to be the "doctor." The remaining players line up single file, each holding the waist or shoulders of the person in front. They begin to weave back and forth like a snake, singing: "Rồng rắn lên mây. Có cây lúc lắc. Hỏi thăm thầy thuốc. Có nhà hay không?" The "doctor" may reply, "The doctor is out!" (or any playful excuse). The line continues singing and moving until the doctor answers, "Yes!" The dialogue then begins:
Doctor: "Where is the dragon snake going?"
Leader: "The dragon snake is getting medicine for its child."
Doctor: "How old is the child?"
Leader: "The child is one."
Doctor: "The medicine won't work."
Leader: "The child is two."
Doctor: "The medicine won't work."
(This continues until...)
Leader: "The child is ten."
Doctor: "The medicine is good."
Doctor: "Give me the head."
Leader: "It's all bones."
Doctor: "Give me the middle."
Leader: "It's all blood."
Doctor: "Give me the tail."
Leader: "You can try to catch it!"
The doctor then tries to catch the last person in the line (the "tail"). The leader must stretch out their arms to block the doctor, while the "tail" dodges and weaves. If the doctor catches the tail, that person becomes the new doctor. If the line breaks during the chase, the game pauses so they can reconnect before continuing.