Traditional games and sports
Cockfights. Cockfighting is a popular attraction at village festivals, where bets are placed at sometimes very high stakes. The roosters come from specific species and are fed and trained for the fight. Breeders use ancient know-how (cockfighting is already mentioned in texts dating back to the 13th century), codified in verse works entitled Les Canons concernant les coqs. The fights, which take place inside a circle, are extremely violent, and it's not uncommon for one of the protagonists to lose his or her life. The duel has its healers, and during half-time the wounds - which mainly affect the eyes - are stitched up before the roosters return to battle, refreshed by a glassful of rice alcohol.
On the sidewalks of Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, it's not uncommon to come across these black-feathered roosters, with their skinny, bald necks and long, reddish thighs, left to roam free under the watchful eye of their owners, who are delighted to show off their champion. While in France, the tradition of cockfighting is increasingly contested in the name of animal welfare and survives only in certain regions (Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Reunion, French Guiana, the West Indies and Polynesia), in Vietnam, it does not give rise to controversy and the roosters we meet seem quite proud of their warrior status, especially when they meet the poultry of the barnyards... Betting on cockfights is, however, officially prohibited.
Vietnamese chess (Cờ tướng or ky). Vietnamese chess is very popular throughout the country. It's simple: from the highest strata of society to the sidewalks, where cab drivers and street vendors clash, everyone plays! At first glance, the engraved tokens used may seem like checkers, but it's actually chess, with rules and pawns that differ from the game we know. Played on a 64-square board, the aim is to take your opponent's pieces... and generals. Indeed, "Cờ tướng " means "the game of generals".
Chess is sometimes even played outdoors, with live pawns bearing the character of the piece represented. In this case, which generally only occurs every ten years - but there are many exceptions to tradition - on the 4th day of the Tet festival (the Lunar New Year), the game attracts a large crowd from all over the region to watch the game unfold on the esplanade of the village hall.
Tam cuc game. This 32-card game can involve 2, 3 or 4 players. It's often played with the family, especially during the Têt reunion days.
Shuttlecock (da câu). Two players are all you need, but it's usually played by four or five in a circle. The game consists in throwing the shuttlecock at each other with the foot, head or torso. Originally, the shuttlecock consisted of a metal ring wrapped in cloth, with a rooster feather in the middle. Modernized, the game is played with a feather shuttlecock and a net or a simple rope stretched between two trees, rather like volleyball. The game is commonly played in public gardens or even on sidewalks, and some players, sometimes among the oldest, demonstrate impressive flexibility and dexterity in their hands and feet.
Traditional wrestling (dau vat). Wrestling scenes are often depicted in traditional Dong Hô prints. This sport has military origins and is said to have been practiced as far back as the 13th-century Trân dynasty. Today, tournaments are held at village festivals. The two wrestlers are practically naked, face each other inside a sanded circle and must try to knock their opponent onto his back or knock his shoulder to the ground.
Martial arts. Viêt vo dao is the Vietnamese martial art. Every year, it attracts more and more enthusiasts worldwide, a growing number of whom come to train at the source, in schools in Ho Chi Minh City, or even in Hué. Every village claims to be the repository of the authentic way, but it's the province of Binh Dinh, in the center of the country, that's considered the capital of Vietnamese martial arts. It regularly organizes traditional martial arts festivals.
Outdoor activities
While cyclists will find splendid scenery on all the country's roads and tracks, other outdoor activities can also be organized in Vietnam.
Treks. The country's mountains, forests and countryside naturally offer splendid opportunities for trekking. Trekking enthusiasts will be particularly happy in the north of the country, in the provinces of Lao Cai, Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Hoa Binh, in the Pu Luong Reserve... Take care when choosing the right period: it's best to avoid the rainy season between May and August!
Climbing. This discipline is still in its infancy in Vietnam, but it has its pioneers who explore sites and carve out routes. Among the most popular spots: Along Bay (solo climbing over water) and Cat Ba Island; Ninh Binh province, less than 100 km south of Hanoi..
Golf. Golf first appeared in Vietnam over 70 years ago, in the early 1930s, when Emperor Bao Dai, returning from a trip to France, had a 9-hole course laid out in Dà Lat. But it wasn't until the early 1990s that new courses were designed, mostly by foreign investors. Enthusiasts will be delighted with greens spread throughout the country.
Diving and water sports. Along Vietnam's coastline, diving and/or snorkeling are available in Nha Trang, around Whale Island, in Da Nang, in Hôi An (and the Cu Lao Cham archipelago), and on the islands of Phu Quoc and Con Dao (in the south of the country). Sailing and water sports are not yet developed to the full extent of the country's potential. The beach at Mui Ne offers great opportunities, particularly for kitesurfing, windsurfing and surfing. In Hôi An, you can take to the water for paddleboarding and kayaking. By the way, canoeing and kayaking are also great ways to discover the sea in Mui Ne and Hôi An, but especially in Halong Bay. A must!
