How to play Bai Choi Hoi An, traditional folk game for foreigners

In the heart of the beautiful ancient town of Hoi An, there exists a folk cultural aspect, simple yet artistically rich, shining brightly from ancient times to the present day. This is the traditional folk game known as "Bai Choi," which has long been an indispensable symbol and an attractive destination for tourists wishing to explore the rustic soul of Vietnam in general and the cultural beauty of Hoi An in particular. It's also a source of pride for the Vietnamese people, recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage representative of humanity in 2017.

Introduction to Bai Choi in Hoi An:

Bai Choi is simply a card game traditionally organized in bamboo huts. In the past, Bai Choi was only held during festivals like Tet (Lunar New Year) or major celebrations. However, now it takes place every evening in Hoi An's ancient town, allowing both tourists and locals to participate and experience it.

Venue for Bai Choi in Hoi An

The place to experience "Bai Choi" in Hoi An is none other than 33 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, a small corner of the ancient town bustling with the essence of the past and present, right next to the famous Hoai River of Hoi An

Can foreigners participate?

If you're a foreign tourist, don't hesitate to join this game. There's a support team for tourists from the organizers who can explain the content, meaning, and rules of the game in various languages. The hosts and announcers also frequently use foreign languages (mostly English) to interact and help you immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of the game.

How Bai Choi is organized in Hoi An

The essence of the traditional folk game Bai Choi:

Host: The game's host, also known as "anh Hieu" or "chi Hieu," makes the game lively, fun, and captivating. They are considered masters of the Bai Choi singing profession.

How to play this traditional game in Hoi An:

To play Bai Choi, a bamboo hut is set up in the center, called the "main hut," surrounded by 10 smaller huts. Players sit on the smaller huts while the host stands on the central hut. However, in Hoi An's ancient town, there are usually only about 4-5 huts set up.

Rules of the game:

The game starts with the lively sound of the drum. The host calls out inviting phrases to attract everyone's attention. After the opening song, the host introduces the names of the cards. Players buy a card or cards, each containing 3 cards with 3 different symbols. Then, the host advances, shakes the card cylinder, and draws each card, singing its name. Players who have that card on their card hit the hut with a wooden mallet or shout "got it." Each time they do so, they receive a small yellow flag. Collecting enough 3 yellow flags for a card, you'll receive a small red flag, and of course, you've become the winner.

Singing in Bai Choi in Hoi An:

Bai Choi consists of two parts: card game and singing. The lyrics combine the folk melodies of the South with the speaking and singing style of Tuong.

Singing is an integral part of this folk game in Hoi An. The host sings a song as a riddle, and players must recognize and respond by singing the next part. This process continues until a player cannot answer correctly or continues the song.

Cost to participate in Bai Choi in Hoi An

Bai Choi performances are held every evening at 7:00 PM. Tourists can participate by purchasing Bai Choi cards for 20,000 VND each.

Cultural significance

Bai Choi in Hoi An is not just an entertainment game but also holds deep cultural significance. It helps preserve and promote traditional values, fostering solidarity and social interaction. Moreover, the game serves as a means to convey history, legends, and cultural knowledge from one generation to another.

The folk songs of this game play a crucial role in preserving traditional identity and promoting cultural heritage threatened by the rapid technological development of the era. The lyrics also carry modern significance as a means to disseminate government principles and policies to the people, making society increasingly better and more colorful.

Bai Choi, a traditional folk game, embodies unique cultural values. With its unique gameplay and the combination of gaming and singing, it has become a symbol of the community spirit of Hoi An. It's not just a game; it carries deep cultural significance and is an essential part of Vietnam's cultural heritage.