The National Documentary and Scientific Film Studio recently hosted a screening of the 30-minute documentary “Rediscovering childhood through traditional games” on the occasion of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
The film, directed by Meritorious Artist Nguyen Quang Dung, takes viewers on a nostalgic journey through traditional games that shaped the childhood of generations of Vietnamese people, including o an quan (a Vietnamese board game), Chinese chess, human chess, clay firecrackers, and kite flying.
Rather than relying on elaborate visual effects, the documentary tells its story in a simple and authentic way, bringing back childhood memories while highlighting community bonds and cultural values worth preserving.
“I had the chance to relive many childhood memories that I hardly see anywhere today, especially as the Internet has become so widespread and is now used by almost every family. Among the traditional games, I particularly like o an quan because it is a game that requires strategic thinking,” said Hanoi resident Le Tuan Anh.
Through o an quan, children can learn to calculate and carefully consider each move. Human chess is played in the setting of a village festival, where real people serve as chess pieces and move according to commands. In the clay firecracker game, a familiar material from agricultural life becomes a way for players to demonstrate their skill and creativity. Through each game, viewers can see how people observe their surroundings, exercise their ingenuity, and stay closely connected to everyday life.
“After watching the film, I discovered several traditional games I had not known about before, including clay firecracker throwing and games played by ethnic minority communities in the northwestern mountainous region,” said Nguyen Viet Su from Xuan Dinh Ward, Hanoi.
Beyond the film screening, children and their families also had the chance to experience the festive atmosphere of a traditional Mid-Autumn Festival through folk games such as jacks, marbles, and spinning tops, as well as by making star-shaped lanterns themselves. These simple activities created meaningful moments of connection, bringing generations together to talk, share experiences, and recreate a traditional toy that has been cherished by Vietnamese children for generations.
“I brought my daughter here so she could experience and learn about the games we used to play when we were young. There are traditional games such as spinning tops and jacks, and being here feels very familiar, almost like reliving my own childhood,” said a visitor.
Another visitor said, “This is my first time playing with a spinning top. I really enjoy it, and I will introduce the game to my friends and family.”
According to Meritorious Artist Trinh Quang Tung, Deputy Director General of the National Documentary and Scientific Film Studio, the event is part of the “Vietnam: Stories Yet Untold” project, jointly implemented by the Studio and BEAT Network.
“We want to send a message: children should be given the best possible conditions to grow, while also being encouraged to reconnect with traditional values. Folk games can help strengthen bonds within families and communities, because the family remains a fundamental building block of society,” Tung said.
