War games

A new way to spend a day in the Mekong Delta doesn’t involve floating markets or a coconut candy factory.
The Paintball Club offers customers a chance to shoot and “kill” without all the bloodshed and tears.
The 70 x 30 meter battlefield, Vietnam’s first paintball venue, opened last month in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho.
Players hide behind logs, empty gasoline barrels and tires while shooting each other in games of Capture the Flag.
Each team of between seven and 10 players has a flag that they place on their side of the battlefield.
The goal is to swipe the opposing team’s flag and bring it back to your own side without getting shot.
If you do get hit by a paintball, you’re “dead” or out. A referee keeps an eye on the game to make sure those who are hit step outside the field.
Paintball Club provides players with aluminum alloy paintball guns, paintballs, protective clothes and a mask.
Balls cost VND950 (5 cents) each and players can buy as many as they want.
Each round of combat lasts 30 minutes. Tickets cost VND30,000 (US$1.8) for one round, VND40,000 ($2.4) for two rounds or VND45,000 ($2.6) for three rounds.
There is also a firing range where shooters are only charged for balls.
To play, customers must be over 16 and register with the club by presenting photo I.D.
The Paintball Club is located at Military Zone 9 Stadium, 91A Cach Mang Thang Tam Street, An Thoi Ward, Can Tho City.