Tổ tôm (聚三) - Vietnam Cutural heritage

“Tổ tôm” (聚三) is a popular traditional game in Vietnam, especially in North Vietnam decades ago. 

A set of “Tổ Tôm” includes 120 cards but people can play another version called "Đánh chắn" with only 100 cards.

Some researchers say that this game might originate from Southern China and its original forms date back to the 10th century and varied to become a variety of appearances in many areas.

Perhaps in the past, people only played Tổ tôm with cards make of wood or bamboo. The limited printing technique did not allow making paper decks of cards and it was impossible to decorate anything too sophisticated, and the cards were only simply engraved to distinguish.

According to another source, it was not until the early 20th century that French merchants made and printed paper Tổ tôm cards for sale with decorative images. At that time, Japanese culture was warmly admired, that's why there are drawings of Japanese style in the card. There are drawings of men and women in typical traditional Japanese costumes in Edo era. Besides, there are drawings of Koi fish, peach (momo), citadel (shiro), boat (une) also. All are Japanese style.

120 cards are devided into 3 group: 萬,文,索, from 1 to 9 (一九), and three special cards. This game has strong effect on Vietnamese language and culture. For example, as you can see, the card 九-萬 has a drawing of a man carrying a parcel on his shoulder and in Vietnamese, people even use the name of this card (九萬) to imply porters or hired workers (Cửu vạn).

In my hometown, even nowadays, people play Tổ tôm in every wedding every funeral, every occasion when people gather together. We even burry people with a set of tổ tôm in the coffin when they pass away. 

Quangngai, September, 22nd, 2021 - December, 03rd, 2022