Many jokers
Vietnamese sets include a number of jokers and extra special tiles, which can substitute for other tiles under local rules. This makes completing hands easier and changes strategy significantly.
Rules vary
There is no single national rule book, and families and regions differ. Visitors should expect to learn house rules on arrival.
A living tradition
Mahjong has long been played in Vietnam, especially among Chinese-Vietnamese communities, and it appears in historic settings such as the reception rooms of Ho Chi Minh City's Independence Palace.
Comparisons
Players from American Mah Jongg will find the jokers familiar; players from Chinese styles will find the extra flexibility surprising.
