A time of Tet (Vietnamese New Year) in the old days at Cho Dam Market.

Around the 20th or 25th day of the Lunar New Year in previous years, the area around Dam Market and along Nguyen Thai Hoc Street took on a different appearance. The familiar spaces of everyday life were filled with rows of seasonal New Year's games. String lights strung everywhere, loudspeakers blared continuously, and crowds of people increased, creating a "game street" that only appeared for a few days at the end of the year, then quietly disappeared before New Year's Eve.

For many who grew up in Nha Trang during the 1980s and 1990s, Tet (Vietnamese New Year) in the past wasn't just about the feast, new clothes, red envelopes, or firecrackers , but also about the time spent strolling around Dam Market. It was a time when children were on Tet holiday, no longer busy with school, while adults were preoccupied with end-of-year shopping. In this rhythm of life, the game stalls emerged as one of the most enjoyable aspects of Tet.

Along Nguyen Thai Hoc Street and the space in front of the circular Dam Market, game stalls are set up close together. In the can-throwing game, three cans are stacked on top of each other. Players hold a small plastic ball, stand at the designated line, and throw the ball to knock down all three cans to win. Players try their luck, while onlookers point, offer a few jokes, and then disperse to another stall.

Nearby was the game of "Mouse Runs Through Caves." In the center was a cage holding a guinea pig , surrounded by a large circle with many small wooden caves, each numbered. Players chose a cave number and used sweet potato leaves to lure the guinea pig. When the game master pulled the rope to lift the cage, the guinea pig was released, running around amidst cheers, and then crawling into a cave to hide. The person whose number the guinea pig entered won a prize. The moment of waiting for the guinea pig to choose a cave always made everyone hold their breath, then erupt in boisterous laughter and chatter.

Interspersed throughout were games like darts, ring toss, and prize draws... Small stalls were constantly being visited by people coming and going, ensuring that the fairgrounds were always bustling with activity.

At the heart of the "game street" remains the lottery booth. All it takes is the singing of familiar chants like, "What number is this, what number will the lottery draw...? "   The entire crowd immediately turned their eyes to the stage. Each night, two people usually took turns calling out the numbers, leading the game with memorized announcements. These could be a few folk songs, a short rhyme, sometimes a bit of traditional music, sometimes a blend of modern and traditional styles, simple and close to everyday life. This way of leading the game made bingo not just a game of chance, but also an impromptu folk performance. As soon as the announcement ended, the entire bingo hall erupted in applause and laughter. The bingo caller, with their unique voice and style, almost became an "artist," each with their own style, creating a sense of suspense, making the players listen and try to guess which number would appear next. Back then, lottery prizes could be cash or everyday household items: a wall clock, a thermos flask, or even a bicycle – a grand prize, highly desirable at the time. For many, playing the lottery wasn't about winning or losing, but rather an excuse to sit together, listen to songs, laugh, and fully enjoy the festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year.

The "game street" around Dam Market usually starts bustling around the 20th or 25th of the Lunar New Year, peaking on the 28th and 29th. As the game stalls gradually pack up, the atmosphere quiets down. Sellers and buyers alike prepare to close out the year and return home for Tet ; the market thins out, and the streets become less crowded . For children, it's a moment difficult to describe. A touch of wistfulness, a slight feeling of regret as the games that once brought joy during the days leading up to Tet suddenly disappear.

Today, Dam Market is different, and so is Tet (Vietnamese New Year). But for many who grew up in Nha Trang, the memory of the "game street" around Dam Market every spring remains – a brief moment of joy, a warm feeling that makes them remember a very special Tet of the past whenever Tet comes around.

QUYNH THU

Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/van-hoa/sang-tac/202602/mot-thoi-tet-xua-o-cho-dam-71933c6/