Preserving Bài Chòi (a traditional Vietnamese folk game) - a positive sign from the grassroots.

Over the years, to weather the "storm" of modern entertainment, the art of Bài Chòi has recognized the significant contributions of many artisans, artists, and actors working in the field of mass culture and arts, through folk song and Bài Chòi clubs at the grassroots level.

Traditional folk singing performances (Bài Chòi) for the public during the 2026 Lunar New Year. Photo: D.T.

Opening of the Bài Chòi Festival

In early spring of the Year of the Horse 2026, during a visit to the countryside of Quang Nam province, we witnessed a vibrant and colorful festive atmosphere. In particular, the spaces for traditional folk singing and performances, serving the local people celebrating the New Year, were always filled with the sounds of singing, chanting, and laughter from the participants.

In Hoi An, illuminated by shimmering lanterns and vibrant with the colors of the ancient town at night, the outdoor setting for the Bài Chòi folk singing performance, situated beside the romantic Hoai River, has captivated tourists who come to visit and participate in the Bài Chòi festival. Hoi An, as always, preserves the traditional singing style while the artists creatively innovate their lyrics, creating a lively and humorous atmosphere that brings laughter and joy to the Bài Chòi players. This is perhaps one of the key factors contributing to the preservation of this precious Bài Chòi tradition amidst the gradual decline of traditional music .

Mr. Tran Van Nam (from Ca Mau ) brought his whole family to Hoi An for a spring trip and joined everyone in playing the Bài Chòi game. He excitedly shared: “I was really surprised by the way the artists here chanted and sang Bài Chòi. Besides the characteristic folk melodies of the region, the artists also knew how to create laughter and excitement for the players with fun games, humorous songs, and a unique approach from the performers. Therefore, my whole family and other tourists participated until the last round…”

Not only in Hoi An, but also throughout the villages of Quang Nam province, spaces dedicated to playing Bài Chòi (a traditional Vietnamese folk game) for the people during the Lunar New Year of 2026 (Year of the Horse) were set up. Everywhere was ablaze with festive flags and filled with laughter. In some places, the Bài Chòi performance was simply a backdrop and flags erected in an open field, yet people flocked there in large numbers, eager to pick their favorite cards. And it wasn't just the elderly who cherished the memories of a time when people would gather to play Bài Chòi, even while their children cried until their umbilical cords came out. Many young people today are consciously returning to the precious traditional arts of their homeland, cherishing what their ancestors once valued.

Vo Thi Nhu Trang (the youngest member of the Tay Ho Commune Folk Song and Bai Choi Club) is a final-year high school student. Despite being very busy with her studies for the graduation exam, she still dedicates time to practicing singing with the members of the club, entertaining the local people during the Lunar New Year celebrations.

Trang said: “I am very happy and proud to be able to contribute with everyone to preserving the precious folk songs of Bài Chòi. For me, every time I stand in the night sky, holding the cards in my hand and singing the songs… it’s a time to live with joy, to immerse myself in the atmosphere rich in the folk colors of my homeland, Quang Nam. I will try my best to practice and improve my singing so that in the future I can continue the work of the elders and maintain the club's activities.”

A practice session of members of the Thanh Binh Commune Folk Song and Bài Chòi Club. Photo: D. Truong

Preserving cultural values

The widespread dissemination of the precious folk songs and Bài Chòi performances from the festival venues maintained throughout Quang Nam province demonstrates the strong vitality of this folk art form. Many Bài Chòi folk song clubs, despite facing numerous difficulties due to administrative unit mergers, have strived to maintain their activities, regularly holding nights of performances to serve the local people.

For example, the Folk Song and Bài Chòi Club of Tien Canh commune, Tien Phuoc district (formerly), after the merger, was renamed the Folk Song and Bài Chòi Club of Thanh Binh commune, with the same scale, personnel, and activities. Regular activities and Bài Chòi singing nights for the people in the commune are still organized frequently.

The club's management board stated that, despite changes in personnel and location, all issues were quickly resolved, activities were continuous and systematic, and sometimes even innovative to adapt to new situations, conditions, and cultural institutions.

Inheriting the tradition of a folk singing and Bài Chòi club formed very early on with outstanding artistic talents of the former Tien Canh commune, the current Thanh Binh Folk Singing and Bài Chòi Club continues to develop its existing advantages, making the most of new local resources for culture and arts, and investment funds from the project to preserve and develop the intangible cultural heritage of Bài Chòi for purchasing costumes, props, and other necessary elements for singing and performing Bài Chòi... This can be seen as one of the positive signs for the intangible cultural heritage of Bài Chòi at the grassroots level.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Tai, Head of the Folk Song and Bài Chòi Club of Thanh Binh commune, said: "We are very happy that in the past time, the city's functional departments and the People's Committee of Thanh Binh commune have shown timely attention, investment and encouragement for local cultural and artistic activities."

Therefore, overcoming initial difficulties, the club is now showing encouraging progress. The singing performances during the recent Lunar New Year of the Horse were well-received and highly appreciated by the local people. The biggest challenge currently is the limited number of musicians to provide accompaniment for the performances; we have to hire musicians for each performance, which is very inconvenient…”

Perhaps, in its strategy for preserving, maintaining, and promoting the value of Bài Chòi folk singing, the Da Nang city's cultural sector should regularly organize training courses on music for Bài Chòi folk singing in various localities; and provide training in writing and staging Bài Chòi folk singing programs for key cultural figures.

In addition, it is necessary to open classes for singing Bài Chòi folk songs at village, neighborhood, and residential area cultural centers... so that the younger generation can have the opportunity to experience and absorb the beauty and charm of their homeland's Bài Chòi folk songs, thereby meeting the cultural needs of the community and preserving traditional values ​​for future generations.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/gin-giu-bai-choi-tin-hieu-vui-tu-co-so-3328854.html