Traditional folk games are gradually disappearing.

(Baonghean)Folk games, created by the people, are closely linked to their daily lives and work, providing moments of relaxation and entertainment after hard work, and also contributing to strengthening solidarity and bonds among individuals.

Children are the most frequent players of traditional folk games. We often see groups of children huddled under banyan trees, in cooperative yards, or by the rice paddies playing hide-and-seek, marbles, mock battles, and the game of "dragon and snake"... And with just stones, leaves, bamboo sticks, and blades of grass, they create truly interesting, engaging, and exciting games.

Traditional folk games are often accompanied by cheerful, gentle, and humorous nursery rhymes that are easy to remember and learn. Children sing and play at the same time, making the atmosphere of the game even more lively and exciting.

The game of passing the ball.

For example, in the game "Nu na nu nong," the children sit in a line with their legs stretched out in front. One child taps each foot with their hand in time with each word of the song:"Nu na nu nong/"Beat the drums, wave the flags / Open the competition / Compete for the most beautiful feet / Whoever's feet are clean / Not dirty at all / Gets to beat the drums." At the end of the song, whoever's foot is hit gets a reward. The reward might just be a guava or an orange, but it attracts the children to participate very enthusiastically. Or like in the game "Dragon and Snake": the children line up in a single file, the child behind holding the hem of the child in front, then they all move back and forth like a snake and begin to sing:"Dragons and snakes ascend to the clouds / There's a dice tree / There's a command post / Asking the"Does the doctor have a house or not...?"; And in the game "Cat and Mouse," one child plays the cat, another plays the mouse, and everyone stands in a circle, holding hands and raising their hands above their heads while singing:"Please come out.""Here/Hands clasped tightly/Standing in a wide circle/The mouse slips through the hole/The cat runs behind/Then the mouse/Plays the role of the cat/Runs after/The cat turns into a mouse." Thus, the game becomes increasingly captivating and fascinates everyone because of its communal nature, requiring quick thinking, intelligence, and fun.

Traditional Vietnamese folk games include not only those requiring physical activity like hopscotch, blindfolded tag, cat and mouse, and horse jumping, but also many games demanding dexterity such as ball throwing, shuttlecock kicking, marbles, and kite flying; games requiring agility like somersaults and double jumps; and games that train judgment and accurate calculation skills like the game of "O An Quan" (a traditional Vietnamese board game). Each folk game has its own unique characteristics, suited to the different preferences and personalities of each child. Therefore, children can play all day without getting bored. Vietnamese folk games reflect a unique and rich cultural heritage, not only helping children develop creativity, thinking skills, dexterity, and physical fitness, but also providing lessons to help them understand and appreciate their national culture, as well as fostering love for family, homeland, and country.

Dragon and Snake Game

Sadly, in today's world, children are exposed to modern, violent games. Traditional folk games are gradually disappearing, and we rarely see children playing them anymore. Instead, they are drawn to thrilling chases and intense battles on computers. But how can these things replace children's daily interactions with nature and their communities? During summer vacation, children have to study a lot, leaving no time for the creative games of the past. Material abundance, modern technology, and the constraints of time and knowledge have made children more passive, lacking in resilience, and more rigid.

Peace