The Hoa Binh Folk Dance Club (under the Women's Union of Mong Cai 1 Ward) is one of the exemplary models that has left many positive marks on the local women's health and fitness movement. Established in February 2023, the club has maintained a stable membership of approximately 40 members to date.
Every day from 8 PM to 9 PM, the courtyard of the old Cultural Center in Zone 3 (Tran Phu Street) comes alive with music as members of the Hoa Binh Folk Dance Club gather for practice. In the summer, for the convenience of a cool, airy space, the members move to the sidewalk next to the Majestic Mong Cai Hotel to practice. Many members arrive early for each practice session to warm up and review the movements before starting the main routine.
To cater to a wide age range and keep things exciting, the club regularly updates its content; on average, 1-2 new routines are added each week, alternating folk dances with Zumba, Cha-cha-cha, group dances, and combined routines. As a result, practicing not only helps women improve their fitness and flexibility but also becomes an opportunity to meet, socialize, and share experiences after a day's work.
Besides maintaining their training sessions, the club actively participates in performances at the pedestrian street on Saturday and Sunday evenings; and also takes part in exchange programs, group performances, and cultural events organized by women's associations at various levels. Club members also enthusiastically support charitable activities for the community, thereby spreading the image of a dynamic, confident, and responsible modern woman.
Keeping the group in sync is Ms. Do Thi Thi (born in 1965), the club's chairperson. Having been involved in folk dance since 2019, Ms. Thi initially studied formally for six months, then continued to learn on her own through the internet and watching sample routines to guide the members. During each practice session, she carefully corrects each footstep and reminds the members of each hand movement, helping them perform smoothly and in rhythm. To date, the club has accumulated approximately 50-60 routines, diverse in style, creating a rich variety to sustain regular practice.
Speaking about the appeal of folk dance, Ms. Thi said: "It's a familiar activity, the movements aren't too complicated, easy to remember, but the effects are noticeable. After practicing regularly for a while, all the women feel healthier; especially older women experience a significant reduction in joint pain. Meeting, practicing dance, and chatting regularly also helps women in the neighborhood bond more closely."
Folk dance is a community - based physical activity with simple, easy-to-perform movements, suitable for many age groups, and requiring minimal equipment. A small yard, courtyard, or cultural center hall is all that's needed for women to practice. Therefore, the movement has quickly spread throughout the province. To date, the province has 858 folk dance clubs and 933 models, attracting nearly 20,000 female members.
To ensure the sustainable development of the movement, the Provincial Women's Union encourages the maintenance of folk dance practice at the grassroots level, while also strengthening exchange and group performances during holidays and anniversaries. In 2025 alone, 100% of the Women's Unions in communes, wards, and special zones organized group folk dance performances to commemorate the August Revolution and National Day on September 2nd, with the participation of over 15,000 cadres, members, and women, creating vibrant and colorful cultural activities throughout the province.
Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/vui-khoe-cung-clb-dan-vu-3395306.html
