The lively rhythm of lion and dragon dance drums

(PLVN) - At the end of March 2025, the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City held a ceremony to announce the decision to include the Lion and Dragon Dance art of the Chinese people in the list of National Intangible Cultural Heritage. This recognition of the heritage contributes to preserving and promoting the traditional beauty in the cultural life of the Vietnamese people.

The unique characteristics of Southern culture

The art of lion and dragon dance was introduced to Vietnam by the Chinese and has become a distinctive and thriving folk culture in Ho Chi Minh City, gradually spreading to other provinces and cities. The lion and dragon dances, with their graceful movements, lively drum rhythms, and vibrant costumes, are performed at occasions such as the Mid-Autumn Festival, Lunar New Year, opening ceremonies, groundbreaking ceremonies, housewarming parties, birthdays, and weddings. They attract attention, creating a joyful and vibrant atmosphere, with the hope of bringing good fortune, happiness, prosperity, and longevity, satisfying the entertainment and cultural needs of the community.

The art of lion and dragon dance performances is both powerful and graceful, yet daring and visually stunning, showcasing the courage, agility, skill, and chivalrous spirit of the performers. Lion and dragon dance is not only a folk art but also a competition between dance teams, with each dance tailored to the space and meaning of the festival.

Responding to the growing societal demand, lion and dragon dances are now performed not only at festivals, competitions, and art performances, but also for agencies, organizations, businesses, and individuals, creating a stable source of income for the performing arts troupes. This promotes the development of handicrafts, garment making, prop and musical instrument production, contributing to job creation and economic stability in the region.

According to information from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports , as of June 2024, there are currently 63 lion and dragon dance troupes in Ho Chi Minh City, varying in size and distributed across the city's districts and counties. Many of these troupes are 35-50 years old, such as Hang Anh Duong, Hong Thai Duong, Thang Nghia Duong, Thang Anh Duong, Doan Nghia Duong, Lien Dung Duong, etc. Some troupes are even older, such as Nhon Nghia Duong (87 years), Kim Long Phuoc Kien (80 years), Tinh Anh Duong (70 years), Hai Nam Lien Huu (70 years), etc. Notably, Lien Nghia Duong troupe is over 100 years old (established in 1923).

Le Yen Quyen performed a lion dance on a 7-meter-high pole in 2011. (Photo: kyluc.vn)

Although lion and dragon dance art has a history of hundreds of years of formation and development on a large scale, it was only in recent years that an official organization representing this art form was established. In 2021, the Ho Chi Minh City Lion and Dragon Dance Federation was founded. Mr. Lu Chan Loi, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Lion and Dragon Dance Federation, said that since its establishment, the Federation has been a gathering place for lion dance troupes in the Chinese community. To introduce and preserve this art form, the Federation also conducts research and documentation on its history, origins, performance skills, costumes, props, and cultural elements, while also recording, photographing, and archiving related materials.

Affirming the value of those who have been involved with lion and dragon dance.

Hang Anh Duong is a lion and dragon dance troupe that has performed and competed in countries such as Japan, China, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Notably, since 2015, the troupe has expanded strongly nationwide, contributing to bringing Vietnamese lion and dragon dance art to the same level as international counterparts.

Speaking at the ceremony announcing the inclusion of the Chinese lion dance art in the list of National Intangible Cultural Heritage, Mr. Luong Tan Hang, Head of Hang Anh Duong Troupe, said that this is a source of pride not only for those involved in lion dance but also for the entire community. This recognition helps the younger generation to be more aware of preserving and promoting this art form; and at the same time affirms the value of those who have been involved with lion dance from the past to the present.

The practice of lion and dragon dance, a cultural heritage, is quite common in the community, especially during festivals, Tet (Lunar New Year), opening ceremonies, and groundbreaking events. Many lion and dragon dance troupes have expanded their activities and performances beyond Ho Chi Minh City and the country, reaching international destinations such as France, Norway, the United States, and Germany. Lion and dragon dance was included in the 9th National Sports Games in 2022, and the Vietnam Lion and Dragon Dance Federation was established in April 2023. This contributes to honoring and elevating this beautiful folk culture to a new level.

I remember in 2016, Le Yen Quyen – the woman recognized by the Guinness Book of Records Vietnam for the record "The only female athlete in Vietnam to perform lion dance on a 7-meter-high pole" in 2011 – was honored to be one of 10 individuals awarded the Vietnam Women's Award, the largest national award given annually to women to recognize the talented and creative contributions of Vietnamese women in the building and protection of the nation.

According to some ancient beliefs, the lion and dragon dances are three very sacred animals, so they were previously only performed by men. However, martial arts master Le Yen Quyen, a young woman born in 1994 in O Mon district, Can Tho city, has proven that women can also succeed in this art form. Passionate about martial arts since the age of 6, Le Yen Quyen gained attention when she joined a lion and dragon dance troupe at the age of 9. At the age of 14, Quyen set her first record, winning a Gold Medal in the pole climbing event at the Can Tho city lion dance competition.

In 2019, the Tu Anh Duong Lion Dance Troupe successfully set two Asian records, including: "Female lion dancer on the tallest pole (7m)" performed by Le Yen Quyen and "The only unit in Asia to perform a four-lion lion dance with male and female lions releasing banners on a plum blossom platform" performed by the entire troupe.

Le Yen Quyen is preparing for a training session. (Photo: AFP)

Le Yen Quyen has been honored as the "queen of lion dance" in a field seemingly dominated by men. Her Guinness World Record for lion dance climbing a 7-meter pole, set in 2011, remains unsurpassed by any athlete in Vietnam or Asia, prompting many international news outlets to travel to Vietnam to meet her and write articles. Currently, in addition to her work at a local medical center, Le Yen Quyen is also the coach for the Tu Anh Duong all-female lion dance team, consisting of 20 members – the only all-female lion dance team in Vietnam today.

On February 9, 2025, the lion and dragon dance performance celebrating the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam (February 3, 1930 - February 3, 2025) and in response to the "National Movement for Physical Training Following the Example of the Great President Ho Chi Minh" in Thu Dau Mot City (Binh Duong Province) officially entered the Vietnam Book of Records for having the largest number of lion and dragon dance troupes participating in a single performance. The event brought together more than 108 lion and dragon dance troupes from across the provinces and cities, with impressive performances such as "Lion Climbing the Plum Blossom Valley," "Battle Drums," "Dragon Dance," "Lion Dance," and "Lion Dance on the Ground," providing audiences with visually stunning moments, showcasing the skill and unity of the participating troupes.

After a rigorous evaluation process, the Vietnam Record Organization (VietKings) officially recognized the record for the "Lion and Dragon Dance Art Performance Program Celebrating the Party and the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Snake in Thu Dau Mot City in 2025" as the event with the largest number of lion and dragon dance troupes participating in performances at a single location. Mr. Le Van Thai - Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Binh Duong Province - affirmed that the festival is not only a platform for exchange among art troupes but also contributes to preserving and promoting traditional cultural values, bringing lion and dragon dance art closer to the public.

Hong Minh

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/ron-rang-nhip-trong-lan-su-rong-post545145.html