Bustling lion and dragon drum beats

Unique features of southern culture

The art of lion and dragon dance was introduced to Vietnam by the Chinese and became a unique folk culture that developed strongly in Ho Chi Minh City and gradually spread to other provinces and cities. Lion and dragon dances with beautiful movements, bustling drum beats and colorful lions and dragons are performed on occasions such as Mid-Autumn Festival, Lunar New Year, opening ceremonies, groundbreaking ceremonies, housewarmings, birthdays, weddings, etc., attracting everyone's attention, creating a joyful and bustling atmosphere with the wish to bring luck, happiness, prosperity and longevity, satisfying the entertainment and cultural needs of the community.

The art in lion and dragon performances is both strong, graceful, adventurous and beautiful, demonstrating the courage, agility, dexterity and martial spirit of the lion and dragon performers. Lion and dragon dance is not only a folk art but also a competition between dance teams, with each dance suitable to the space and meaning of the festival.

Responding to the growing needs of society, lion dance is now not only performed in festivals, competitions, and art performances, but also serves agencies, organizations, businesses, and individuals in need, creating a stable source of income for art troupes. This promotes the development of handicrafts, garments, props, and musical instruments, contributing to job creation and economic stability in the region.

According to information from the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City, according to the inventory results, there are currently 63 lion dance troupes in Ho Chi Minh City (as of June 2024) of different sizes, distributed throughout the districts, towns and cities. Among these, many 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,... Many 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),... And especially, Doan Lien Nghia Duong is over 100 years old (established in 1923).

Le Yen Quyen performs a lion dance on a 7m high pole in 2011. (Photo: kyluc.vn)

Although the art of lion dance has a history of hundreds of years of formation and development on a large scale, it was not until recent years that an official organization representing this art form was established. In 2021, the Ho Chi Minh City Lion Dance Federation was established. Mr. Lu Chan Loi, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Lion Dance Federation, said that since its establishment, the Federation has been a gathering place for lion dance troupes in the Chinese community. In order to introduce and preserve this art form, the Federation also conducts research, surveys and documents on the history, origin, performance skills, costumes, props and cultural elements related to lion dance, as well as records, photographs and archives related documents.

Affirming the value of those who have been attached to the lion dance

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

Sharing at the ceremony announcing the decision that the Chinese lion dance art was included in the list of national intangible cultural heritage, Mr. Luong Tan Hang, Head of Hang Anh Duong Group, said that this is a source of pride not only for lion dance artists but also for the whole community. This recognition helps the younger generation to be aware of preserving and promoting this art form; at the same time, affirming the value of those who have been attached to lion dance from the past to the present.

The practice of the Lion Dance heritage in the community is quite popular, especially on holidays, Tet, opening days, groundbreaking days, etc. Many lion dance troupes have expanded their activities and performances beyond Ho Chi Minh City and the country, reaching out to international countries such as France, Norway, the US, Germany, etc. Lion dance art has been included in the competition at the 9th National Sports Festival in 2022 and in April 2023, the Vietnam Lion Dance Federation was established. This contributes to honoring and bringing the beauty of folk culture to a new level.

Remember in 2016, Le Yen Quyen - the woman recognized by the Vietnam Guinness Book of Records Center as the "Only Vietnamese female athlete dancing a lion dance on a 7m 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 contributions and creativity of Vietnamese women in the cause of building and defending the Fatherland.

According to some ancient beliefs, the lion, dragon and lion dance are three very sacred animals, so the lion, dragon and lion dance was previously only for men. However, martial artist Le Yen Quyen, a girl 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 she was 6 years old, Le Yen Quyen was noticed when she joined the lion, dragon and lion dance team at the age of 9. At the age of 14, Quyen set her first record, winning the Gold Medal in the pole climbing category in the lion dance competition of Can Tho city.

In 2019, Tu Anh Duong Lion Dance Troupe successfully set 2 Asian Records, including: "The female lion dancer on the highest pole (7m)" performed by Le Yen Quyen and "The only unit performing the four-man and female lion dance on a plum blossom valley in Asia" performed by the troupe.

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

Le Yen Quyen is honored as the “unicorn queen” in a field that seems to be only for men. The Guinness record for the 7m high pole climbing category set by Quyen since 2011 has not been surpassed by any athlete in Vietnam or Asia, causing many international news agencies to come to Vietnam to meet her to write articles. Currently, Le Yen Quyen, in addition to her work at the local medical center, is the coach for the Tu Anh Duong female lion dance team of 20 members - the only female lion dance team in Vietnam today.

On February 9, 2025, the Lion Dance Performance Program to celebrate the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam (February 3, 1930 - February 3, 2025) and respond to the movement "All people exercise following the example of great Uncle Ho" in Thu Dau Mot City (Binh Duong) was officially listed in the Vietnam Record Book with the largest number of lion dance troupes participating in a performance at one location. The event gathered more than 108 lion dance troupes from all over the provinces and cities with impressive performances such as "Lion on the Mai Hoa Thung", "Drum Battle", "Dragon Dance", "Lion Dance" and "Lion Dance of the Earth Treasure" brought the audience moments of satisfaction, demonstrating the skill and solidarity of the art troupes.

After a rigorous evaluation process, the Vietnam Record Organization (VietKings) has officially recognized the record for the "Lion and Dragon Dance Performance Program to Celebrate the Party and 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 one location. Mr. Le Van Thai - Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Binh Duong affirmed that the festival is not only a playground for art troupes to exchange but also contributes to preserving and promoting traditional cultural values, bringing lion and dragon dance closer to the public.

Hong Minh

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