Vietnamese Lion Dance (Múa Lân): A Mesmerizing Festival Highlight
Few spectacles embody Vietnam’s festive spirit like the lion dance, where vibrant costumes, rhythmic drumbeats, and agile dancers create a captivating, lifelike performance at festivals, Lunar New Year, weddings, and business openings. Beyond its dazzling display, this cherished tradition holds profound cultural and spiritual meaning, believed to dispel bad luck, attract prosperity, and foster community joy, with unique regional styles and rich origins that reveal a deeper story waiting to be explored.
Written by Oliver PHUNG (Tour guide)
Updated on Sep 19, 2025
2 comments
Oliver Phung is a specialist in cultural tourism and trekking in the mountains of Northern Vietnam, with over 7 years of hands-on experience. Born and raised amidst the sounds of the kèn (a traditional instrument) and the songs of the Mông, Thái, Tay, and Dao ethnic communities, Oliver does not just have a passion for their history and culture, he lives it. For him, sharing the beauty of these traditions is not just a job, it's a way of life.
Drawing from his experience on hundreds of trekking trips and guided tours across routes from Ha Giang, Lao Cai to Cao Bang, Oliver offers an authentic and in-depth perspective.
Origin and Cultural Meaning of Vietnamese Lion Dance
As a Vietnamese, I grew up watching the lion dance every Mid-Autumn Festival and during Tết. Back then, I only thought of it as a fun show with loud drums and colorful lions that made our neighborhood lively. But later I discovered that this dance has roots going back over a thousand years. It is more than just entertainment; it carries wishes for prosperity, protection, and harmony, making it one of the most meaningful traditions in our culture.
Origins
According to theAssociation of Asian Studies, the origin of the lion dance can be traced back to China, where it was recorded as early as the Han dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE). Historical sources suggest that lions were introduced from West Asia through the Silk Road, and by the Tang dynasty (618–907 CE), the lion dance had become a part of imperial ceremonies and popular festive entertainment. During the long period of Chinese domination, this art form spread to Vietnam, where it later developed its own distinctive character.
In an 1890 sketch from the Illustrated London News, Chinese immigrants and
Taiwanese indigenous people are shown watching a traditional lion dance together.
Over time, the history of the Vietnamese lion dance (Múa Lân) was shaped not only by foreign influence but also by local beliefs and creativity. Vietnamese folklore describes the "Lion", a mythical creature considered one of the Four Sacred Animals (Dragon, Lion, Turtle, Phoenix). It is regarded as a benevolent figure, bringing longevity, compassion, and good fortune.
From left to right "Dragon, Lion, Turtle, Phoenix"
Another legend tells how the fierce lion was tamed by Ông Địa (the Earth God), who fed it magical herbs and transformed it into a gentle creature that danced to bring joy to the people. From then on, Ông Địa became an inseparable companion of the lion in Vietnamese performances.
Ông Địa (the Earth God) is a special character that is indispensable in lion dance in Vietnam.
Through centuries of adaptation, the lion dance became an integral part of Vietnam’s festive life, enriched with local motifs, unique drum patterns, and the joyful presence of Ông Địa as a distinctly Vietnamese touch.
Symbolism and Cultural Values
When I was a child, the lion dance felt like pure fun. The thunder of drums, kids chasing after the lion, and neighbors smiling at their doors created an atmosphere of joy. Only later did I realize that this performance carries a much deeper meaning.
Vietnamese children love to watch lion dance
In Vietnamese folk beliefs, the lion is more than a playful figure. It is seen as a guardian spirit that drives away evil and invites prosperity. The pounding drums and energetic movements are not random noise; they are symbols of protection, good fortune, and blessings for the community. That is why during Tết or at the opening of a new shop, a lion dance is almost indispensable, believed to bring wealth and peace for the year ahead.
Beyond spirituality, its value lies in the way it brings people together. The festive rhythm turns ordinary streets into celebrations. Children laugh, elders clap, and neighbors share the same joy, strengthening community bonds.
The lion dance is a symbol of luck and community unity in Vietnam
Today, the Vietnamese lion dance extends beyond Tết. It appears at weddings, business openings, and cultural events across the country. Each time I watch it, I am reminded that behind the lively colors and acrobatic moves is a tradition that has been kept alive for centuries, a tradition that still connects people, offers blessings, and keeps Vietnamese culture vibrant in modern life.
What Will You See in a Vietnamese Lion Dance Show?
A lion dance in Vietnam is never just a show. It is a blend of four essential elements that, when combined, turn the performance into a living celebration of sound, color, and tradition.
Costume
The first thing that catches your eye is the costume. The lion’s head, made of bamboo and paper, is painted in bold colors and decorated with motifs inspired by Vietnam’s Four Sacred Animals. Its long body, covered in embroidered fabric, moves gracefully with every step, making the lion appear almost alive in front of the crowd.
Vietnamese Lion Heads come in a variety of colors and variations
Music
No performance is complete without its music. The rhythm of drums, the clash of cymbals, and the ring of gongs drive the entire performance. Each beat fuels the dancers’ energy, making the lion’s movements powerful and captivating. The music does not just set the pace, it pulls the audience into the excitement.
The drum team is the key to helping lion create dance moves based on music
Performance
Then comes the dance itself, a mix of strength, skill, and teamwork. The “head” and “tail” dancers move in perfect harmony, weaving martial arts steps with acrobatic jumps. You might see the lion leaping high, balancing on poles, or performing the famous “lettuce eating” act, believed to bring prosperity and good luck.
Moving across high poles is one of the most difficult skills in Lion Dance
Why “lettuce eating”?
In the lion dance, the famous “eating lettuce” move (Cai Qing – 採青) carries deep cultural meaning. In Cantonese, the word for lettuce (sang choi, 生菜) sounds the same as sang choi (生財), which means “to generate wealth”. This clever wordplay makes the act a symbolic highlight of the dance, representing prosperity, good fortune, and thriving business.
Ông Địa (the Earth God)
And finally, there is Ông Địa. With his round belly and playful grin, he teases the lion, waves to the audience, and adds humor to the show. His presence softens the fierceness of the lion, turning the performance into a joyful interaction that makes children laugh and adults smile.
Ông Địa (the Earth God) is the person who connects the audience with this mythical spirit
Together, these four elements create more than entertainment. They turn an ordinary street into a festival, giving travelers a chance to experience one of Vietnam’s most vibrant and meaningful traditions.
Life Inside a Lion Dance Troupe…
Few audiences realize how much sweat and sacrifice lie behind the dazzling lion dance shows they see during festivals in Vietnam.
The grind of practice
Training usually begins in the evenings, when the sun goes down and the streets get quiet. The troupe gathers in an empty courtyard or a small community hall. The lead dancer shoulders the heavy lion head, spinning, crouching, and leaping. The tail dancer, half-blind under layers of fabric, must move perfectly in sync.
When everyone finished their long day, it was time for Khanh and the Lion Dance team to practice
A single misstep or a missed drumbeat can send them both crashing to the ground. Sprained ankles, bruises, and even broken bones are part of the job.
Earning a living during peak seasons
The busiest time comes during Lunar New Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival. One night can mean seven to ten performances, rushing from one shop opening to a family celebration. The troupe packs lion heads and drums onto motorbikes or small trucks, racing through the city from dusk until two or three in the morning.
Large-scale Lion Dance event to celebrate the New Year
Payment sounds good on paper, ranging from several hundred thousand to a few million VND per show. Yet after splitting among the team and covering costs for food, transport, and costumes, each member only takes home a modest share. Many laugh it off, saying: “It’s like celebrating the New Year while getting paid to sweat”.
To have a successful show, they often have to pay with sweat and tears
Moments of joy and frustration
Not every show goes smoothly. Sometimes a customer refuses to pay, or a sudden downpour drenches the lion head and silences the drum. Other times, the rewards are priceless: children running after the lion with wide-eyed excitement, grandparents clapping from their doorsteps, or a generous red envelope handed out during a store’s opening. These fleeting moments remind the performers why they keep going.
For each lion dancer, income is often quite unstable, depending on the season and holidays, so most of them have to take on other jobs.
This is Khanh, a lion dancer, who currently works as a salesman and porter at a packaging store.
Brotherhood behind the masks
A lion dance troupe is like a family, often 20 to 30 people strong. There are drummers, cymbal players, lion heads, tails, and the jolly Ông Địa. They eat together, practice together, and spend sleepless nights on the road. Many call it “a karma” rather than just a job. What keeps them is not the pay but the camaraderie, the shared laughter backstage, the resilience after a fall, and the pride when the crowd cheers.
Only after returning home from work does Dung have time to practice with his group.
Each practice lasts until late at night. Currently, Khanh's lion dance team practices at least 3 hours every day.
👉 So the next time you watch a lion dance on a busy Vietnamese street, remember: behind those acrobatic jumps and thunderous drums lie months of training, nights of hard work, and the unshakable passion of ordinary people keeping an extraordinary tradition alive.
Anyways, you can give them a round of applause, or small red envelopes with some money inside, to thank them for their dedication to art.
Hoo-weeeee
Lion, Dragon and Regional Variations of Lion Dance in Vietnam
In addition to the familiar lion dance, Vietnam has developed other versions and variations that reflect the culture of each region.
Traditional Lion Dance
This is the most common form, performed nationwide. Each style has unique traits: the Northern Lion with playful movements, the Southern Lion with powerful martial influences, and the Cantonese Lion maintained by the Hoa community in Chợ Lớn. They differ in color, size, and performance style.
Vietnamese traditional lion dance
Unicorn Dance (Múa Kỳ Lân)
The unicorn, or Kỳ Lân, is another legendary creature in East Asian culture. In Vietnam, the unicorn dance is especially popular within the Hakka community in areas such as Saigon, Đồng Nai, and Bình Dương. The unicorn, with its single horn, symbolizes luck, compassion, and prosperity. It often appears during religious festivals, weddings, and important ceremonies.
Dragon Dance
The dragon dance, introduced from China centuries ago, has become a vibrant part of Vietnamese celebrations. Unlike the two-person lion, the Vietnam dragon dance requires a large team, each controlling a section of the body attached to poles. The dragon’s long, winding figure with scales, claws, and a fierce head is a symbol of strength, harvest, and national identity.
A fearsome dog-like creature with a horn, requiring up to four performers. Celestial Dog (Thiên Cẩu) is closely tied to the Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival and reflects Hội An’s history of cultural exchange with China and Japan.
Celestial Dog
Hue Royal Lion Dance
Once reserved for the imperial court, this variation was performed exclusively for kings and nobles. Today, it is revived during the Huế Festival, offering visitors a glimpse into royal tradition.
Lion Dance of Hue Royal Court
Bonus: Distinct Shapes Across Countries
As I mentioned earlier, the lion is a sacred animal in many East Asian countries. The cultural exchange between tribes and kingdoms during the feudal period has shaped each country’s unique identity, reflected in the various lion dance forms. Below are some of the different lion from styles from other countries.
Good to know: Tips for Tourists Watching Lion Dance
Go early to choose a good spot: A performance can be very crowded, if you arrive late you will only see… the back of people.
Prepare a red envelope (lucky money): You can give a small lucky money (20k–50k VND) to the lion troupe as a ritual for good luck, and hold the lucky money up high so that the lion sees it and runs to take the lucky money from your hand.
Do not touch the lion's head: This is taboo, unless the lion troupe invites you to do so (as a ritual for good luck).
Be careful of jostling: You should stand to the side of the road or choose a high position to avoid being pushed by the crowd.
Watch the Earth God: This is a character who interacts with the audience, often makes jokes and sometimes invites you to join in.
Avoid blocking the dance: When the lion troupe is entering a shop/house, make way and watch from a distance so they can perform the ritual.
Conclusion
So, we’ve explored everything you need to know about lion dance in Vietnam. It’s an indispensable art form in East Asia and, especially, in Vietnam. The next time you travel during one of the holidays I mentioned, make sure to witness these incredible dances. They’re an essential part of the cultural identity that no traveler should miss.
So, get a free quote for a tour with Kampá Tour today and dive into the excitement of Vietnamese festivals!
Hey Oliver, great article! Just a quick question; I noticed all the different unicorn heads, whiskers, and colors. Do those variations mean anything, or are they just for looks?
0Reply
Oliver Phung19 Sep 2025
Hello Victor!
That's an interesting question. You're right, each type of unicorn has different shapes, like their whiskers and colors, and they all have their own meanings. I'd be happy to explain this to you.
Just like many other art forms, lion and dragon dances also have a ranking system to distinguish the skill level and class of the dance teams. This ranking system is often shown through the color of the unicorn's whiskers and the number of people participating in the dance.
Ranking by whisker color:
Black whiskers: This is the lowest rank, for newly established lion dance teams or those with less than 10 years of experience.
Black and silver whiskers: This is for lion dance teams that have been active for 10 to 20 years, showing more extensive experience and more skillful dance techniques.
Silver whiskers: This is the highest rank, for lion dance teams that have been active for over 30 years, and they are considered masters in the field of lion and dragon dancing.
I hope the information I provided is enough to satisfy you.
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Hello Victor!
That's an interesting question. You're right, each type of unicorn has different shapes, like their whiskers and colors, and they all have their own meanings. I'd be happy to explain this to you.
Just like many other art forms, lion and dragon dances also have a ranking system to distinguish the skill level and class of the dance teams. This ranking system is often shown through the color of the unicorn's whiskers and the number of people participating in the dance.
Ranking by whisker color:
I hope the information I provided is enough to satisfy you.