Folk games weave vibrant threads into cultural tapestry of Phu Yen district

As part of activities within the 2024 fair promoting products, tourism, and culture of ethnic minority and mountainous comminities in Phu Yen district, a variety of unique folk games were held on December 22 at Muong Tac field in Huy Ha commune.

 

The contest of catching catfish in a jar.

The folk games included pounding round glutinous rice cakes (banh day), catching catfish in a jar, fetching water for the hamlet, and dragon guarding eggs.

The round glutinous rice cake pounding contest.

The round glutinous rice cake pounding contest drew five teams from Muong Bang, Muong Do, Muong Thai, Huy Tan, and Huy Bac communes. Each team prepared 5 kg of steamed glutinous rice and brought along necessary items such as pestles, mortars, eggs, and banana leaves. Each team selected four male members to take turns pounding rice, while the remaining female members shaped the cakes. Within 30 minutes, most teams completed the task, shaping and arranging the cakes on the leaves.

At the contest of catching catfish in the jar. 

The catfish-catching contest required skills and precision. It saw the participation of nine teams from Nam Phong, Bac Phong, Sap Xa, Da Do, Tan Phong, Tuong Phong, Tuong Tien, and Tuong Ha communes, and Phu Yen town. Each team consisted of six members, divided into three groups of two. In each group, one person wrapped their arm around the other's shoulder, while both used their free hand to catch catfish in the jar. Each team had six minutes to complete the task, and the one with the most catfish caught won the contest.

The water-fetching contest.

After fetching the water, team members race back to the finish line.

The water-fetching contest brought together eight teams from Tan Lang, Muong Lang, Muong Coi, Huy Ha, Huy Tuong, Gia Phu, Tuong Phu, and Tuong Thuong communes. Each team consisted of five women, dressed in traditional ethnic attire. They demonstrated skills and agility as they fetched water, traveled a 10-meter distance, overcame obstacles, and filled bamboo tubes with water.

Teams compete in the egg-collecting contest. 

In the "dragon guarding eggs" contest, a traditional folk game for Mong men, participants showcased their strength and agility. The game involved the "egg thief" and the "egg guardian," where the latter must protect eggs in the nest. To keep the eggs safe, the guardian positions himself with both hands on the ground, their body nearly lying over the eggs (guarding them), and their legs extended behind within a 2-meter circle. They used swift leg movements to defend the nest and prevent the egg thief from stealing the eggs. 

The game drew a large crowd of locals and visitors, creating a lively and joyful atmosphere for spectators.

The folk games attract a large crowd of locals and visitors.

The organisation of folk games at the fair aimed to preserve and promote local cultural values, while contributing to drawing tourists to the locality.

Comment

You have 500/500 characters left

Please enter 5 or more characters!!!

Recent news

  • ' Son La reviews mass mobilisation work, sets priorities for new phase

    Son La reviews mass mobilisation work, sets priorities for new phase

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    The Standing Board of the Son La provincial Party Committee on July 13 held a conference to review the implementation of the Politburo's Decision No. 23-QD/TW, issued on July 30, 2021, and the board's Decision No. 250-QD/TU, dated September 28, 2021 on promulgating regulations governing mass mobilisation work across Son La's political system.
  • 'Son La focuses on advancing science, technology, innovation, digital transformation

    Son La focuses on advancing science, technology, innovation, digital transformation

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    Nguyen Dinh Viet, Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, head of the Steering Committee for the Development of Science, Technology, Innovation, Digital Transformation and Project 06 (Steering Committee 1310), and head of the provincial Steering Committee on Data, chaired a meeting of the steering committees on July 13.
  • 'Permanent members of 16th People's Council meet

    Permanent members of 16th People's Council meet

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    Standing Deputy Secretary of the Son La provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People's Council Lo Minh Hung chaired the sixth meeting of the permanent members of the 16th People's Council for the 2026-2031 term on July 13.
  • 'Son La promotes implementation of grassroots democracy

    Son La promotes implementation of grassroots democracy

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    Cha A Cua, Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the provincial Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, and head of the provincial Steering Committee for the Implementation of Grassroots Democracy, on July 13 chaired a conference to review the implementation of grassroots democracy during the first half of the year and outline tasks for the second half.
  • 'Greening agriculture creates greater returns

    Greening agriculture creates greater returns

    BUSINESS -
    Facing increasingly stringent market requirements for quality and sustainability, agricultural cooperatives in Son La province are moving away from traditional farming practices based on experience and are emerging as pioneers in the transition towards greener agriculture. By adopting standards such as VietFarm and VietGAP and turning agricultural by-products into organic fertilisers, these circular farming models are helping improve produce quality, reduce input costs and generate sustainable value for the province's agricultural sector.
  • ' Delegation from National Assembly's Committee for Deputy Affairs pays tribute at Tay Tien Regiment 52 historical relic site

    Delegation from National Assembly's Committee for Deputy Affairs pays tribute at Tay Tien Regiment 52 historical relic site

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    Ahead of the 79th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs' Day (July 27, 1947 – 2026), a delegation from the Party Organisation of the National Assembly's Committee for Deputy Affairs on July 11 offered incense at the Tay Tien Regiment 52 historical relic site in Moc Chau ward. The delegation was led by Nguyen Huu Dong, member of the Party Central Committee, member of the National Assembly Standing Committee, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee for Deputy Affairs, and deputy head of the Party Central Committee's Organisation Commission.
  • 'Classrooms, solar-powered lighting system inaugurated in Yen Son commune

    Classrooms, solar-powered lighting system inaugurated in Yen Son commune

    SOCIETY -
    The Chieng On Border Guard Station, in coordination with the Youth Union of Customs Sub-department Region IV, the Youth Union of the Customs Tax Operations Division under the Ministry of Finance’s Customs Department, Hanoi Westminster Primary and Secondary School, and Hanoi-based Green Gables group, inaugurated and handed over two community projects: "Loving School – Helping Children Stay in School" and "Lighting Up the Border Area" in Yen Son commune on July 11.
  • 'Thematic meeting marks 79th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs' Day

    Thematic meeting marks 79th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs' Day

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    The Party Organisation of the National Assembly's Committee for Deputy Affairs held a thematic meeting at Chieng Son Border Guard Station on July 11 to commemorate the 79th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs' Day (July 27, 1947 – 2026). The event carried the theme "Promoting the tradition of ‘when drinking water, remember its source’ and enhancing the responsibility of officials and Party members of the National Assembly's Committee for Deputy Affairs in carrying out assigned political tasks."
  • 'Authorities help residents recover from natural disaster

    Authorities help residents recover from natural disaster

    SOCIETY -
    Over the past several days, the impact of Storm Maysak, the first hitting the East Sea this year, has brought prolonged heavy rainfall, causing damage to homes, property, and public infrastructure in Quynh Nhai, Muong Gion, and Muong Sai commune. Local Party committees and authorities are urgently implementing recovery measures and providing assistance to help residents stabilise their lives.
  • 'Floods cause over 31 billion VND in damage across Son La province

    Floods cause over 31 billion VND in damage across Son La province

    SOCIETY -
    Over the past 24 hours (from 8:00 a.m. on July 10 to 8:00 a.m. on July 11), Son La province experienced moderate to heavy rainfall, with some areas recording very heavy rain. Several locations received more than 150 mm of rainfall, while Muong La commune recorded the highest amount at 240.2 mm. Prolonged heavy rain caused localised flooding and landslides, affecting homes, agricultural production, transportation, and various infrastructure facilities across the province.
  • 'Muoi Noi commune gets new Party chief

    Muoi Noi commune gets new Party chief

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    A conference was held in Muoi Noi commune on July 10 to announce the decision of the provincial Party Committee's Standing Board on personnel appointments. Lo Minh Hung, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People's Council, along with other leaders and officials attended the event.
  • 'Chieng Tuong Border Guard Station, local forces promptly evacuate residents from landslide-prone are

    Chieng Tuong Border Guard Station, local forces promptly evacuate residents from landslide-prone are

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    Due to the impact of Storm No. 1 (Maysak), prolonged heavy rainfall occurred in Long Phieng commune, increasing the risk of serious landslides. Following a review, authorities discovered significant signs of ground instability near the home of Giang Lao Co, a resident of Co Lac hamlet. Several large cracks appeared and extended along the hillside directly behind his house, posing a serious threat to the safety of his family and their property.
  • ' Doan Ket commune cares for policy beneficiary families, people with meritorious service

    Doan Ket commune cares for policy beneficiary families, people with meritorious service

    SOCIETY -
    Upholding the Vietnamese tradition of remembering those who contributed to the nation, Doan Ket commune has carried out a wide range of practical activities to improve the material and spiritual well-being of policy beneficiary families and people who rendered meritorious service to the revolution. These efforts reflect the local government's responsibility and spread a spirit of gratitude within the community to those who laid down their lives for the Fatherland’s independence and freedom.