DISCOVER THE TOP 6 MOST POPULAR VIETNAMESE TRADITIONAL TOYS

Vietnam is a land where ancient heritage permeates every aspect of daily life, from thousand-year-old temples to vibrant street markets. Long before smartphones and modern digital games arrived, Vietnamese childhoods were filled with handcrafted toys made from natural materials such as bamboo, clay, rice dough, and recycled paper.

These colorful folk toys are far more than mere playthings; they are living cultural artifacts that reflect Vietnam's agrarian roots, folklore, and artistic spirit. For international travelers visiting Hanoi, Hoi An, or Saigon, encountering these traditional folk toys offers a captivating glimpse into the nostalgic heart of Vietnamese culture. In this guide, here is a list of some of the most popular and iconic toys and games that represent Vietnamese culture.

1. TO HE - HAND MOLDED RICE DOUGH FIGURINES

Among Vietnam’s most delightful folk crafts is To He (Tò He), an ancient toy-making art originating from Xuan La village in Hanoi’s Phu Xuyen district over 300 years ago. To He figurines are skillfully hand-molded on the spot using edible dough made from glutinous rice powder colored with natural plant dyes—such as turmeric for yellow, dragon fruit for red, and pandan leaves for green.

Folk artisans use small bamboo sticks and tiny combs to shape the dough into vibrant figures within minutes. Traditional themes feature mythical dragons, heroic legends, farm animals, and lotus blossoms. Today, talented artisans also craft modern pop-culture characters to delight younger generations. Watching a master artisan transform a lump of colorful dough into a detailed masterpiece right before your eyes is a mesmerizing cultural experience in Hanoi's Old Quarter.

2. DEN ONG SAO - THE GLOWING BAMBOO STAR LANTERN

During the magical Mid-Autumn Festival (Tet Trung Thu), held on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, Vietnamese streets transform into sea of glowing lights. The undisputed icon of this festival is the Den Ong Sao (Đèn Ông Sao), a classic five-pointed star lantern handcrafted from flexible bamboo splints and covered with bright red, gold, and green cellophane paper.

In Vietnamese tradition, the five points of the star represent the five elemental forces of nature (Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth), while the central candle light symbolizes harmony, hope, and good fortune. Walking through Hanoi's Hang Ma Street or Hoi An Ancient Town during festival season, seeing children parade under the moonlight with illuminated star lanterns is an unforgettable cultural highlight.

3. CHUON CHUON TRE - THE BALANCING BAMBOO DRAGONFLY

Simple, ingenious, and endlessly charming, Chuon Chuon Tre (Chuồn Chuồn Tre) is a self-balancing wooden toy crafted in traditional artisan villages such as Thach Xa, located near the ancient Tay Phuong Pagoda outside Hanoi.

Crafted from natural bamboo, these dragonflies feature a finely curved beak and balanced wings that allow them to balance perfectly on the tip of a finger, a pencil, or a tree branch without any glue or mechanical aids. Hand-painted with cheerful traditional patterns, bamboo dragonflies make eco-friendly, lightweight souvenirs for international travelers to bring home.

4. TRONG LAC - TRADITIONAL HAND-HELD PELLET DRUMS

No traditional Vietnamese festival is complete without the cheerful, rhythmic sound of Trong Lac (Trống Lắc), or small hand-held pellet drums. Made from a small wooden cylinder covered with dried pigskin on both sides, the drum features two small beads suspended on cords on either side and a thin bamboo handle.

When rotated quickly between the palms of the hands, the dangling beads strike the drumheads, creating a lively drumming sound. Traditionally given to toddlers and young children, these wooden drums embody the joyful noise of folk celebrations and family gatherings across rural Vietnam.

5. MAT NA GIAY BOI - HAND PAINTED PAPER MACHE MASKS

Dating back centuries, Mat Na Giay Boi (Mặt Nạ Giấy Bồi) are traditional paper mache masks deeply tied to Vietnamese street carnivals, lion dances, and folk mythology. Crafted meticulously in craft hubs like Hang Ma Street and Bac Ninh province, these masks are formed by layering recycled paper over cement molds using natural cassava starch paste.

Once dried under the sun, local artists hand-paint the masks with vibrant primary colors. Traditional characters include Ong Dia (the smiling Earth God who brings prosperity), the mythical Lion, and classic characters from Vietnamese folk stories. Wearing a hand-painted mask during local festival processions is a fun, immersive way for travelers to participate in local heritage.

6. DEN KEO QUAN - THE SPINNING SHADOW LANTERN

Den Keo Quan (Đèn Kéo Quân), or the "moving army lantern," is a masterpiece of historical physics and storytelling. Originally created to teach children about historical national heroes and moral fables, this large octagonal lantern rotates automatically using the heat generated by an internal candle.

As hot air rises from the candle flame, it turns a lightweight paper windmill inside the lantern, casting moving shadows of paper cutout warriors, horses, and farmers onto the translucent outer paper walls. Watching the silhouetted story unfold on the lantern walls is like viewing an ancient form of Indochinese cinema.

Above are Discover the top 6 most popular Vietnamese traditional toys that Link Asia Travel shares with you. Although today’s toys have more and more new, beautiful, and modern designs, traditional toys still have their own appeal. In addition, parents can take their children on trips to cities with festivals to help them expand their horizons and discover many new things. Don’t forget to visit our blog to discover many other exciting travel experiences.

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