The Chinese Lion Dance Art of Ho Chi Minh City is a Cultural Heritage

Lion Dance, a unique cultural feature of the Chinese community in Ho Chi Minh City, is not only a beautiful artistic performance but also contains profound spiritual values.

Originating from legends and folk beliefs, this sport is considered a symbol of luck, prosperity and protection for the community.

This art is closely linked to the cultural and spiritual life of the Chinese in Saigon, especially concentrated in districts 5, 6 and 11 - where the Chinese community has long lived and developed strongly.

Lion and Dragon Dance is not only present in traditional festivals such as Tet Nguyen Tieu, Tet Nguyen Dan, or Mid-Autumn Festival, but is also associated with events such as groundbreaking and opening ceremonies, expressing the wish for a smooth start and successful work.

In addition to its cultural significance, the art of Lion and Dragon Dance also brings practical economic value. Many Lion and Dragon Dance troupes have created jobs for local people, contributing to stabilizing their lives and developing the local economy. At the same time, this is also a place to connect and help children in difficult circumstances, limiting the risk of falling into social evils.

Not only the Chinese, many Kinh, Khmer and Cham people in Ho Chi Minh City are also passionate about and participate in practicing this unique art form. The establishment of the Ho Chi Minh City Lion Dance Federation has created a driving force to restore and strongly spread the performance movement throughout the districts.

Currently, Ho Chi Minh City is proud to have 4 National Intangible Cultural Heritages, including: Nghinh Ong Festival - Can Gio; Nguyen Tieu Festival of Chinese people in District 5; Khai Ha - Cau An Festival at Lang Duc Ta Quan Le Van Duyet; Lion Dance and Dragon Dance of Chinese people in Ho Chi Minh City.

In addition, Southern amateur music – an intangible cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO – is also the pride of Ho Chi Minh City and the Southern provinces.

Mr. Hoang Nghi, Head of the Department of Cultural Heritage Management (Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Ho Chi Minh City), shared that the Ceremony to receive the Certificate of Intangible Cultural Heritage "Lion Dance Art of Chinese People in Ho Chi Minh City" will be held after the Lantern Festival in 2025.

This promises to be a unique cultural event, honoring heritage values and affirming the role of the Chinese community in preserving traditional cultural beauty.

Van Anh