8 Traditional Games to Bring Family Fun to Tet Holiday at Home

8 Interesting Folk Games for Tet Right at Home

During Tet and spring, neighborhoods are filled with the laughter and play of children engaging in interesting folk games. These games not only entertain, but also bring the traditional Tet atmosphere. Here are 8 fascinating folk games for Tet that you can enjoy at home with Bach Hoa XANH!

1 O An Quan: A Game of Strategy

O An Quan is a popular game for children in rural areas. It is easy to play but helps develop intelligence and perseverance. The game creates a lively atmosphere when played by both children and adults sitting together.

Rules of play:

• Players use all the chess pieces (stones) on one of their 5 squares.
• Players take turns spreading stones in squares, starting from the nearest square and can spread clockwise or counterclockwise.
• Players can eat all the pieces from a square if it is followed by an empty square.

The game ends when all the pieces on both fields have been eaten. The winner is the person with the most chess pieces in hand at the end of the game.

2 Blindfold Catching Goats: A Traditional Favorite

Blindfold Catching Goats is a beloved traditional game for Vietnamese children. With just a simple blindfold, the game can begin and is often played during spring festivals or the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Rules of play:

• All players can play randomly or choose a volunteer to be blindfolded as the “goat catcher”.
• The blindfolded person walks around a circle of players and tries to catch someone, while others try to distract and confuse the blindfolded person.
• The blindfolded person needs to correctly guess the name of the person caught to win.

3 Smashing Clay Pot: A Lively Game

Smashing Clay Pot is a popular game during spring festivals that brings liveliness to Tet. The sound of smashing pots along with the audience cheering adds to the festive atmosphere.

Rules of play:

• Players need to break a pot hanging on a rope using a stick.
• The reward for breaking the pot is usually written on a piece of paper from the broken pot.

4 Wrestling: Test Your Strength

Wrestling is not only a sport, but also a popular folk game during Tet, especially in the Northern provinces. This traditional game attracts young men to showcase their strength.

Rules of play:

• Wrestlers must be shirtless and wear only a loincloth.
• The wrestlers must use their hands and strength to compete against each other.
• The winner is the one who makes their opponent fall to the ground or pushes them out of the circle.

5 Walking on Stilts: A Test of Skill and Strength

Walking on stilts is a game that requires skill and physical strength. It is often a highlight in rural areas, attracting a large audience with its attraction and excitement.

Rules of play:

• Players use tall bamboo stilts and compete to reach the finish line.
• The winner is the one who maintains balance and reaches the finish line first.

6 Dragon Snake on Clouds: A Childhood Game

Dragon Snake on Clouds is a childhood game that requires teamwork and dexterity. Although the rules are simple, it guarantees laughter and joy during Tet.

Rules of play:

• A group of people line up, with one person at the head called the “Host” (or doctor).
• Players go to the host’s house and ask which section he wants, while singing a nursery rhyme.
• The host runs to catch the player at the selected section, while the group tries to protect each other and prevent the line from breaking.

7 Crocodile on the Riverbank: Quick and Agile

Crocodile on the Riverbank is a simple but beloved folk game. Players need to be quick and agile to avoid being caught by the “crocodile”.

Rules of play:

• Players can play individually or choose someone to be the “crocodile”.
• The game has “underwater” and “riverbank” spaces.
• The “crocodile” tries to catch anyone walking or stepping on the water, while players try to avoid getting caught.

8 Tug of War: A Test of Strength and Teamwork

Tug of War is a game that not only improves health, but also enhances team spirit. It brings joy and liveliness to traditional Tet celebrations.

• Players from two teams hold a rope and pull with all their strength.
• The team that pulls the mark on the rope across their team’s line first wins.

These 8 interesting folk games for Tet can be played right at home, providing joy and liveliness to your celebrations. Gather your family and friends to enjoy these traditional games and make this Tet more memorable!