Vietnamese board games: 15 picks for kids and adults

Contents

1. Classic Vietnamese board games

These classic Vietnamese board games offer a glimpse into the traditional pastimes that have been enjoyed for generations. They are not just a form of entertainment but also a means of preserving Vietnamese communal spirit.

1.1. Co vay (Go)

Believed to have originated in China over 2,500 years ago, Go is played on a 19×19 grid board using black and white pieces (stones). Two players take turns placing the stones, aiming to surround and capture the opponent’s stones while expanding their own territory. Mastery in Go hinges on strategic thinking and the ability to anticipate and counter the opponent’s moves.

Here are the rules of Go:

• Two players take turns placing black and white stones on the grid’s intersections.
• The stones are captured and removed from the board when they are completely surrounded by the opponent’s stones on all four sides (or all adjacent sides in the case of stones near the board’s edge). 
• To prevent endless cycles of capture and recapture, players cannot make a move that returns the game to the exact position of the previous turn (Ko rule).
• Players can pass their turn when further moves are unhelpful, and the game ends after two consecutive passes.
• Points are counted by empty intersections in controlled territory and captured stones. The player with the most points wins, with komi points added to the white player’s score for balance.

Co vay stands out as a classic Vietnamese board game (Source: Collected)

1.2. Co tuong (Chinese chess)

Chinese chess, with a history of over 1,200 years, evolved from Chaturanga, an ancient Indian chess game that dated from the 5th to 6th centuries. Played on a board with 9 vertical and 10 horizontal lines, it features a “river” dividing the board. Each player commands 16 pieces of 7 different types, each with unique names. The objective is to checkmate the opponent’s General, much like checkmating the King in Western chess.

The 7 pieces in Chinese chess are:

• General: Moves one step at a time horizontally or vertically within the palace (a 3×3 area).
• Advisor: Moves diagonally one square at a time within the palace.
• Elephant: Moves diagonally two squares at a time and cannot cross the river.
• Chariot: Moves any number of squares horizontally or vertically.
• Horse: Moves in an “L” shape (two squares horizontally then one square vertically, or two squares vertically then one square horizontally). It cannot move if the first square is blocked.
• Cannon: Moves like the Chariot to capture an opponent’s piece, but only when there is another piece along the way.
• Soldier: Moves one step forward at a time. Before crossing the river, it can only move vertically. After crossing the river, it can also move horizontally.

Mastery of Chinese chess demands tactical foresight (Source: Collected)

1.3. Co ca ngua (Parcheesi)

If you are looking for a game for 2-4 players that mixes ease with a hint of strategy, Vietnamese horse board game, also known as Parcheesi, is an ideal choice. Played on a board with each player controlling a set of 4 horse pieces, the objective is to move all your pieces from the starting point to the finishing point. Combining elements of luck and planning, its simplicity and competitive nature make it a favorite during family and social gatherings.

To play Parcheesi, move your pieces counterclockwise around the board based on dice rolls. The first player to get all four pieces to the finish line wins. The other players can continue for the second and third places. The funniest part about playing Parcheesi is that a player’s horses can “kick” their opponent’s horses out of the way if the dice rolls are right. In this case, the unfortunate horses will have to start their journey all over again.

Parcheesi will bring a lot of fun to your game day (Source: Collected)

1.4. Bau cua tom ca (Gourd, crab, prawn, fish)

A festive favorite, Bau cua tom ca is especially popular during the Vietnamese New Year. The game involves dice decorated with symbols of gourd, crab, prawn, fish, deer and rooster. Players place bets on which symbols they predict will appear after the dice are rolled. Its simplicity contributes to the joyful atmosphere during celebrations.

The game has unlimited rounds and players. Each round, the dealer rolls three dice secretly. Players bet on the symbols. After the bets are placed, the dealer reveals the dice. If the right symbol appears, players win their bet plus an extra amount based on the roll result. If no right symbols appear, the dealer keeps all the bets.

Bau cua tom ca is a popular gambling game in Vietnam (Source: Collected)

1.5. O an quan (Mandarin square capturing)

Mandarin square capturing is a traditional Vietnamese board game closely associated with the childhood of many generations of Vietnamese people. This game is for two or more players. It takes place on a rectangular board divided into 10 squares and 2 semicircles. The objective of each player is to capture as many squares as possible using their set of pieces.

The rules of Mandarin square capturing are quite simple: 

• Each player takes turns placing one piece into each square, starting from the nearest square and moving in the direction of their choice.
• After placing the last piece, if the next square contains pieces, you must continue distributing all the pieces from that square in the chosen direction. 
• However, if the next square is empty and the following square contains pieces, you are allowed to capture all the pieces in that square. 
• The winner is the player who captures the most pieces by the end of the game.

Mandarin square capturing is one of the best traditional Vietnamese board games (Source: Collected)

Discover more traditional Vietnamese games for added enjoyment!

2. Modern Vietnamese board games

These modern Vietnamese board games have emerged as innovative additions to the world of games, blending traditional elements with contemporary rules. They reflect a dynamic evolution, showcasing both the heritage and creativity of Vietnam.

2.1. Vua ca phe (Kopi king)

Kopi king is a modern board game inspired by Singapore’s traditional drinks. It features 104 ingredient cards and 33 order Cards. The goal is to gather the best ingredients to create delicious beverages, as players practice their barista skills by quickly collecting and combining the ingredients. Designed for 1 – 6 players, Kopi king includes various gameplay options, making it enjoyable for both solo play or group sessions. 

The rules of Kopi king are easy to follow. Players take order cards, search for the necessary ingredients, and start brewing according to the recipe on the cards. Once all the required ingredients are gathered, the player must shout out the name of the drink to complete the order. The game ends when all the order cards have been used. The winner is the player who has earned the most money from completing orders.

Kopi king is a Vietnamese board game inspired by Singapore’s traditional drinks (Source: Collected)

2.2. Dai Viet ky nhan

Dai Viet ky nhan is a historically themed board game that delves into the rich history of Vietnam. Players engage with various historical figures and events from Vietnam’s past. This game is designed to be both educational and entertaining, offering insights into the country’s legacy while challenging players to make decisions based on historical context. 

The rules of Dai Viet ky nhan are straightforward. Each of the two players is either randomly dealt or selects 25 character cards. They have two minutes to memorize the positions of their cards as well as the opponent’s. The dealer will announce random events, and players must find the card depicting the historical figure related to each event. Players can take cards from their opponent, and who acts faster earns points.

Dai Viet ky nhan is a Vietnamese board game based on history (Source: Collected)

2.3. Co ty phu Ha Noi (Hanoiopoly)

Hanoiopoly is a localized version of the classic Monopoly game, themed around Hanoi. Players buy, sell, and trade famous landmarks and neighborhoods of Vietnam’s capital. The game highlights the city’s historical sites, cultural attractions, and modern areas, making it an engaging tool for exploring Hanoi travel.

Like Monopoly, Hanoiopoly gives players a fixed amount of money tokens. Players move their pieces around the board using dice rolls. Upon stumbling on a Property on the board, they can either choose to buy that Property or not. These Properties, if stumbled on by other players, help the owners collect rent. The more Properties you own, the more rent you will collect from other players. The game ends when only one player remains with money while all others have gone bankrupt.

2.4. Co ty phu Sai Gon (Saigonopoly)

Saigonopoly brings the excitement of Monopoly to Ho Chi Minh City. Players acquire and upgrade properties based on Saigon’s key locations, from bustling markets to towering skyscrapers. Through Saigonopoly, players can experience the dynamic atmosphere of Saigon, making it a fun and educational way to explore the city’s vibrant landscapes.

Hanoiopoly and Saigonopoly both offer an engaging experience (Source: Collected)

2.5. Than tich

Inspired by popular MOBA games like DOTA 2 and League of Legends, Than Tich features familiar concepts such as hero selection, lane control, creeps/minions, towers, and skill leveling. The game is played similarly to chess, but with cards rather than pieces. Players immerse themselves in the roles of mythical figures from Vietnamese folklore, known as heroes, and compete against other players to reclaim the Divine Artifact.

The game is divided into multiple rounds. Players start by selecting their heroes, set up their strategy, and engage in battles at the end of each round. Heroes are upgraded in strength as the game progresses. To win, players must destroy 2 out of 3 of the opponent’s towers to gain control of the Divine Artifact.

Than tich envelopes players in Vietnam’s heritage through tactical challenges (Source: Collected)

Check out some intriguing Vietnamese card games!

2.6. Len mam

In this Vietnamese board game, players act as family members preparing a grand tray of traditional dishes for the Lunar New Year’s Eve. Len mam immerses players in the festive atmosphere as they work together to gather ingredients, cook, and arrange an impressive spread of foods. The goal is to complete the tray with all the necessary dishes before the celebration begins. Through strategic planning, players will experience the joy and challenge of preparing a special meal for a cherished occasion.

In Len mam, a player will be the Big Sister, who starts the round by drawing two cards from the deck. They choose one card to keep and discard the other. The card determines the dish that all players must cook during the round. A round ends when the pot is either finished or sabotaged. At the end of the game, players count their points based on the dishes they have prepared. The player with the most points wins.

Len mam has players prepare a grand tray of traditional dishes (Source: Collected)

2.7. Hoi pho

In Hoi pho, players are transported back to the port town of Hoi An in the 16th-17th centuries. Taking on the role of a guild leader managing a renowned trading guild, you will use capital from the royal court and deploy your merchants to compete with other guilds, employing each merchant’s unique skills to earn money and regain dominance in the marketplace. The first player to collect the required number of Contracts wins the game. 

There are 15 Merchants, each with a unique skill, and 5 Ship Cards. Players play cards simultaneously and compare the reputation points on the cards; the merchants with the highest and second-highest reputation earn money, while the merchant with the lowest reputation triggers their skill. At the end of the round, all players reveal their money. The player with the most money gains 1 Contract.

Hoi pho is a great Vietnamese board game to play during weekends (Source: Collected)

2.8. An y

The Vietnamese board game An y includes a set of 60 amusing questions on topics that are both familiar and unexpectedly quirky. Each game comes with 5 blank cards, allowing groups to craft their own unique questions. These questions are sure to spark laughter and surprise, thanks to the creative responses from friends or even strangers who find themselves on the same wavelength.

The game will take place in 10 rounds, corresponding to 10 questions. A player flips the top card of the question pile and reads it out loud for everyone to hear. Players secretly write their answers on their answer sheets within 1 minute. Players reveal their answers simultaneously and compare them. Points are awarded based on how many others have the same answer. When 10 questions have been answered, the game ends. The player with the most points wins.

This Vietnamese board game lets players craft unique questions (Source: Collected)

2.9. Du ky

Du ky is a cooperative game where players join forces to eliminate nightmares by identifying relevant adjectives and guessing all the dreams to achieve victory. In this thrilling adventure, everyone either wins or loses as a team. Your team must navigate through a strange city, jumping to the correct key locations to find your way back home. Players win by playing all their Dream cards and lose if the party encounters 2 Nightmares or if the Kite token falls off the Hope track.

Players will take turns as the Leader. On their turn, the Leader asks the other players, “Are your dreams [insert adjective]?”. Players will respond using hand signals. The Leader can then pick a Location card and ask, “Is this your Dream?”. If it matches a player’s Dream card, that card is revealed, and the Location card is flipped. The Leader then chooses to continue or end their turn. If no match is found, the jump fails, and the Kite token flips to the 1-Star side. If it is already on the 1-Star side, the game is lost.

With its cooperative mechanics, Du ky is an exciting addition to the world of modern Vietnamese board games (Source: Collected)

2.10. Thien menh

After the king died, generals and princes fought to take over, leading to a chaotic era. Each one, claiming to protect the people, seized lands and power, all aspiring to claim the throne. As a player who holds the Mandate of Heaven, you will rise to power in this turbulent time. Each player starts with a character card, 1 Thien-menh card, and 5 playing cards. A player has 2 action points to perform 3 types of action: arrange a council meeting, build or upgrade buildings, govern buildings. The game continues through multiple turns until a player meets one of the following conditions:

• You are the sole remaining player, having eliminated all the others.
• You have accumulated 50 Victory points.
• The drawing deck is exhausted. In this case, the player with the highest Victory points and still in the game wins.

Show off your card game skills with this Vietnamese board game (Source: Collected)

Vietnamese board games offer a rich tapestry of strategic thinking. These games preserve traditional customs and foster social bonds. With unique gameplay and beautiful designs, these Vietnamese board games continue to captivate players of all ages, providing a valuable window into the country’s cultural heritage.

While you are in Vietnam, consider visiting notable tourist destinations such as Phu Quoc with its pristine beaches, Nha Trang with its coastal beauty, and Hoi An with its well-preserved ancient town. Each destination reflects the cultural richness and natural splendor of Vietnam, making them ideal additions to your Vietnam travel.

Besides, make sure to enjoy the recreational activities at VinWonders. This series of entertainment complexes offers a variety of thrilling games, captivating shows, and immersive attractions, ensuring fun for the entire family. 

For a luxurious stay, consider high-end hotels and resorts of Vinpearl, which boast world-class amenities, stunning views, and exceptional services. Combining these experiences with your visits to Vietnam’s iconic destinations will make your trip truly unforgettable.

VinWonders is an unmissable destination for anyone seeking fun and adventure in Vietnam

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