Amidst the vibrant atmosphere of the traditional Lunar New Year, alongside the festive feast, folk games stand out as a unique cultural treasure. They are a springtime pastime, a space for community gatherings, a rekindling of rural memories, and a means for traditional values to continue to be passed on.
From the Northern Delta to the Northwest mountains, from the Central to the Southern regions, each area and community has its own system of games, reflecting the natural conditions, production activities, and life philosophy. In the traditional Vietnamese villages of the northern provinces and cities, games such as tug-of-war, swinging, blindfolded goat catching, wrestling, etc., often take place immediately after the spring festival. Tug-of-war is not simply a test of strength but embodies the concept of yin and yang, harmony and opposition, and a wish for a balanced harvest and favorable weather. Swinging, with its up-and-down movements, evokes the aspiration to rise above and transcend the daily limitations of agricultural life. The atmosphere of the village festival is thus lively, with laughter mingling with drums and cheers, creating a feeling of a complete and fulfilling Tet celebration.
In the broader landscape of Vietnamese folk games, Quang Nam province stands out with its unique character, closely tied to the riverside and coastal villages and the hardworking lifestyle of the people in Central Vietnam. During Tet (Vietnamese New Year) in Quang Nam, when village festivals are held, folk games become the glue that binds the community together. The most prominent is Bài Chòi, a form that is both a folk game and a unique performing art. During the spring days, the village square, open fields, or front yards become the Bài Chòi performance space. Players sit in bamboo huts, listening to the caller announce the verses with witty and improvisational songs. The charm of the Quang Nam dialect—simple, humorous, insightful, yet kind—makes the Bài Chòi performance venues packed with people during Tet.
Besides Bài Chòi (a traditional Vietnamese folk game), tug-of-war, blindfolded goat catching, pot smashing, and spinning top games are still present in many village festivals in Điện Bàn, Duy Xuyên, Đại Lộc, and Hòa Vang. These seemingly simple games clearly reflect the social structure of rural villages: everyone participates, cheers together, and shares the joy of the new year.
In the riverine regions, spring boat races on the Thu Bon, Truong Giang, or Han rivers bear the distinct mark of the aquatic inhabitants. Although often associated with major festivals after Tet (Lunar New Year), the spirit of boat racing begins in the early days of the year as a ritual to pray for favorable weather, prosperous business, and calm seas and rivers. This is not only a competition of strength but also a symbol of teamwork and a core value of the Quang Nam community.
In the coastal villages of Quang Nam province, collective games combined with rituals, such as tug-of-war, village wrestling, fish-carrying competitions, and net-weaving contests, are often organized interspersed with Tet (Lunar New Year) and fishing festivals. These games are not separate from labor, but directly reflect the livelihoods of the coastal inhabitants.
For the people of Quang Nam, traditional folk games during Tet (Lunar New Year) are not only for the purpose of "celebrating the spring," but also a way for them to tell stories about their sun-drenched homeland. As long as the sounds of Bài Chòi (a traditional folk game) still resonate, and the village square still fills with the joyful shouts of Tet, it means that the cultural identity of Quang Nam is always being preserved...
Source: https://baodanang.vn/cung-tray-hoi-lang-3325327.html
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