Traditional games of the Northwest region

Every time Tet (Lunar New Year) arrives, spring comes, or during festivals, the natural scenery and successive celebrations make a trip to the Northwest region even more attractive. An indispensable part of these festivals, loved by both locals and tourists, is the folk games.

Join author Trinh Thong Thien in purchasing a ticket back to childhood through the photo album "Traditional Games of Northwest Vietnam," to experience the folk games that everyone has known at least once in their childhood. The author submitted this photo collection to the "Happy Vietnam" Photo and Video Contest , organized by the Ministry of Information and Communications .

Excitement abounds as people enjoy the swing and ball-throwing games. To organize these two games, the villagers choose a flat, spacious area along the stream. The ball-throwing game is held in the area where the village's ceremonial pole is erected. Here, people of all ages gather to participate in the spring festival and compete in the ball-throwing game.

The pao throwing game, while a traditional folk game, is also a way for young men and women to express their love for each other. The game is gentle and can last for hours, becoming especially enchanting with the addition of the H'Mông men's flute music.

The game that almost everyone knows is the throwing of the ball (or throwing the ball) of the Thai ethnic group. The Thai people in Lai Chau celebrate their traditional New Year at the same time as the Lunar New Year of the whole nation. Visiting Vang Pheo village (Muong So commune, Phong Tho district), considered the "cradle" of the White Thai ethnic group in Lai Chau, besides enjoying the characteristic cuisine and admiring the rhythmic dances of the village's cultural troupe, tourists also have the opportunity to learn about the ancient and meaningful folk game: throwing the ball.

Tug-of-war, a game where the enthusiastic cheers of the audience can greatly boost the morale of the players. It's a game and a sport that deeply demonstrates the spirit of unity and determination of the entire team. The cheers and applause make each tug-of-war match lively and dramatic.

Visiting the villages of Northwest Vietnam, especially in the spring or during festivals and holidays, we can immerse ourselves in the crowds enjoying the festivities and traditional folk games. These games are not simply competitions of skill, strength, and intelligence; they also contribute to a joyful atmosphere and strengthen the bonds of solidarity among ethnic groups.

Folk games in festivals not only profoundly reflect the unique characteristics of the culture, beliefs, and spirituality of each ethnic group, but also help to improve health and physical fitness in daily life and production.

In community-based tourism villages in Northwest Vietnam, locals often organize folk games to preserve the cultural beauty of their ethnic groups and to provide tourists with unique experiences. Along with folk songs and dances, the traditional games of the mountain ethnic groups are a treasure trove of culture that needs to be preserved and promoted.

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