HCM CITY — The art of lân sư rồng (kylin-lion-dragon dance) by Hoa people in HCM City has been recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage of humanity, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said.  

Nguyễn Minh Nhựt, deputy director of HCM City’s Department of Culture and Sports, told local media at the announcement ceremony on March 30 that the honour helps promote local tourism and preserve traditional culture and arts in the South. 

The dance of lân sư rồng is often performed by the ethnic Hoa (Chinese-Vietnamese), who account for around 4 per cent of the city’s population. Many Hoa people live in Chợ Lớn (Big Market) in District 5.

It is performed to bring luck and happiness during the traditional Tết (Lunar New Year) Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival on the 15th day of August in the lunar calendar, and at ceremonies to open new business, reopen a store after the Tết holiday, or build a new house. 

Lân (kylin), sư (lion) and rồng (dragon) are symbols of power, wisdom and good fortune. They chase away evil spirits and bring happiness, longevity and good luck.  

HCM City has 60 amateur and professional troupes of kylin-lion-dragon dance, including Nhơn Nghĩa Đường and Kiến Thắng Đường of Chợ Lớn, which have 100-200 members each.  

The performers wear red, black and white costumes that symbolise the balance of âm (yin) and dương (yang), as well as red fabric belts that show their passion for martial arts.

The famous kylin dance in traditional style is called Lân Lên Mai Hoa Thung (Kylin Climbs Mountains). 

It presents a kylin head jumping to the highest mountain. The lead dancer has to jump from the lowest pole of one metre high to the highest of 1.7 metres. There are 10 poles spaced metres apart.

“In Chợ Lớn, Hoa people love the dance as it consists of both traditional and modern styles,” said Lưu Gia Nghi, a resident of District 5.

“Our children like modern dances featuring the ông địa (God of Earth), dragon dancing and circus performances together.” 

According to a representative of Nhơn Nghĩa Đường, one of the city’s leading kylin-lion-dragon dance troupes, the art of lân sư rồng of the Hoa in Chợ Lớn is a mixture of dance, martial arts and passion.

“Our business helps promote the cultural and tourism products of District 5 and the city as a whole to local people and international visitors,” he said.—VNS