---
title: "Reading Vietnamese Xiangqi (Cờ Tướng) Notation · Xiangqi Master"
description: "Vietnamese notation follows the Chinese system word for word: piece, file, then tiến, thoái or bình, then a number. Pháo 2 bình 5 is 炮二平五."
url: https://xiangqimaster.com/blog/how-is-xiangqi-notation-written-in-vietnamese
updated: 2026-09-29
source: Xiangqi Master (https://xiangqimaster.com)
license: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
---

# How is xiangqi notation written in Vietnamese?

These answers restate the rules implemented by our open-source engine, which follows the WXF laws for movement, checkmate and both repetition rulings: a side that forces a repetition by perpetual check or perpetual chase loses rather than drawing. The chase half has not been validated against the official casebook. Where an answer refers to a specific position, that position lives on the linked reference page, where the build verifies it before publishing.

> Direct answer
>
> It uses the **same structure as Chinese notation**, with Vietnamese words: piece, current file, direction, then a number. The directions are **tiến** (advance), **thoái** (retreat) and **bình** (move sideways). So **Pháo 2 bình 5** is the Central Cannon, 炮二平五 or C2=5.

## The piece names

In Vietnamese xiangqi, cờ tướng, the pieces are: **Tướng** (general), **Sĩ** (advisor), **Tượng** (elephant), **Xe** (chariot), **Mã** (horse), **Pháo** (cannon) and **Tốt** (soldier). The words descend from the Chinese names, which is why they map one to one. See [the Chinese names](https://xiangqimaster.com/blog/what-are-the-chinese-names-of-the-pieces) for comparison.

## Files and numbers

Files are counted from each player's own right, 1 to 9, exactly as in Chinese and WXF notation. After tiến or thoái, a chariot, cannon, soldier or general move gives the number of points moved, while a horse, elephant or advisor move gives the destination file. After bình, the number is always the destination file. So **Mã 8 tiến 7** is 馬八進七 (H8+7), and **Xe 1 bình 2** is 車一平二 (R1=2).

## Abbreviations

Vietnamese sources often shorten the piece names to initials and may replace the direction words with symbols. The conventions are not uniform, so check the key at the start of the book or site you are reading. Once you know the piece initials and the three directions, the moves translate directly. [Reading notation](https://xiangqimaster.com/rules/notation) covers the shared system.

## Related questions

Are Vietnamese and Chinese rules the same?

The moves and the basic rules are the same game. Competition rule details can differ between rule codes, as they do elsewhere.

How do Vietnamese sources show two pieces on one file?

With words for front and rear, the same idea as 前 and 後 in Chinese.

## Related xiangqi resources

Reading notation

炮二平五 and C2=5 — the same move, two ways

Xiangqi rules

The complete reference, rule by rule

Chess in Chinese

The words for the game and every piece

## Try it on a real board

Reading an answer is one thing; playing it is another. Free, instant, and nothing to install.