The elderly members of the Four Sacred Animals Dance troupe in Hanoi’s Duc Khe hamlet entertain their audience with an impressive performance. Their dances are meticulously choreographed with the moves of the four sacred animals. In a large common ground, villagers watch a 35-meter-long dragon fashioned from red cloth moving around under the control of the dance troupe members. Next to the dragon, a unicorn figure shakes its head, blinking its big eyes while moving around a club as if performing martial arts. A tortoise figure moves slowly, bobbing its head, while a phoenix spreads its beautiful feathers in movements as if flying to the rhythm of the processional music. Historian Le Van Lan said, “The 4 sacred animals were mythologized by the Vietnamese. The dragon represents authority, the royal court, the King, the rain and the wind. The unicorn symbolizes power, while the turtle is supposed to bring prosperity for every family. The phoenix stands for nobility and sometimes is compared to the Queen for its beauty. Since the very old days, these four sacred animals’ shapes and movements have been featured in the Vietnamese people’s dance, performed at festivals as a way to express gratitude to the Gods, and pray for bumper crops and a new year full of peace and prosperity. The musicians who accompany the dancers play a very important part in the show, according to Historian Le Van Lan. “All the dancers and musicians wear make-up and move the figures of the four sacred animals… [Read full story]
A series of Vietnam's famous traditional festivals have been kicked off as usual after the Tet holidays (falling in January of the Lunar Calendar) for tourists and pilgrims nationwide, local media reported. A carnival spirit gripped northern Phu Tho province, where the Hung King's Temple festival got underway on February 22 (the sixth day of the Lunar New Year) with many traditional activities like boat races, a palanquin procession and lion dances. The annual festival is an opportunity for the Vietnamese people to commemorate the dynasty of the Hung Kings, considered the founding fathers of Vietnam The government invested tens…... [read more]
Various festivals started on the 10th day of the Lunar Year (February 4) in northern and central provinces to welcome the Spring. Participants not only enjoyed the festive atmosphere but also prayed for peace and prosperity for the whole nation. More than 30 thousand Buddhist monks, nuns, followers and tourists flocked to the foot of Yen Tu mountain, northern coastal Quang Ninh province, to celebrate the traditional Yen Tu Spring Festival.Also attending the festival was Vice State President Nguyen Thi Doan.The festival officially started with dragon and lion dances, martial arts performances and an opera featuring the epic poem 'Hao Khi…... [read more]
It remains to be seen whether locals are willing to abandon their traditional rituals. With the spring festival season nearly upon us, Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has ordered an end to all performances that include either violent or offensive rituals, such as killing animals. Several festivals still feature violent rituals that involve slaughtering pigs and bull fighting, and that has to stop, the ministry said in a new statement. Most spring-time rituals in Vietnam were created centuries ago to commemorate ancient war heroes, show respect to the gods and to pray for good health, peace and prosperity…... [read more]
The Secretariat of the Communist Party of Vietnam has directed all agencies at localities throughout the country to enhance the Party's ability to guide management and organisation of spring festivals. Festivals should be organised at the lowest cost possible, and aim to develop the country's fine customs, according to the Party. They should also educate younger generations. Party members and officials should act as good examples at festivals by following local regulations. Localities were urged to cut down the number and frequency of festivals, limit the use of State budget allowances and encourage private organisations to fund them instead. Officials…... [read more]
Nineteen events featuring exhibition, stage, contemporary dance, circus, literature, fashion show and concert will take place in the framework of a month-long France Spring Festival from May 20 to June 18.The festival, organised by the French Cultural Centre, L’ Espace and the Embassy of France in Vietnam, will see the performances of more than 150 artists in 19 events which will introduce the latest trends of the French culture.The festival will be opened with an exhibition entitled “Naissance: gestures, objects and rituals", featuring the journey of the return of spring in Vietnam, France, North and West Africa and Reunion Island. …... [read more]
