Celebrating Hanoi’s Liberation: The 4th Dragon Dance Festival
Marking the 60th anniversary of Hanoi’s Liberation Day, the 4th Dragon Dance Festival was held in front of the statue of King Ly Thai To in Chi Linh Park, Hanoi. The festival showcased the cultural heritage of 1000-year-old Thang Long-Hanoi through captivating dragon dances.
Dragon dancing has its roots in the legend of Thang Long (flying dragon) since King Ly Thai To moved the capital to Thang Long, present-day Hanoi, in 1010. The dance symbolizes the aspirations and dreams of the people for peace and prosperity. As such, the dragon dance festival honors the traditional values of this ancient capital.
The 4th festival featured 25 dragon dance troupes from Hanoi’s districts, each presenting unique themes and performances. Audiences were treated to a visual spectacle with performances such as “An Duong Vuong xay thanh Co Loa” (King An Duong Builds Co Loa Citadel) by Dong Anh Troupe, “Chuyen minh theo huong rong” (Changing as the Direction of the Dragon) by Chuong My Troupe, and “Phu Dong rong bay” (Flying Dragon in Phu Dong) by Gia Lam Troupe.
Story: Tran Thanh Giang – Photos: Tran Thanh Giang & Thong Hai
Dragon dance troupes fill the streets of Hanoi with vibrant energy. Photo: Tran Thanh Giang/VNP
A parade of dragon dance troupes around the iconic Sword Lake. Photo: Tran Thanh Giang/VNP
Dragons flank the statue of King Ly Thai To, adding a touch of mythical beauty to the festival. Photo: Tran Thanh Giang/VNP
A powerful pose showcasing the strength and unity of four unicorns. Photo: Tran Thanh Giang/VNP
Two dragons playfully dancing with the rain, a symbol of prosperity and good fortune. Photo: Tran Thanh Giang/VNP
Dragons breathe fire in a spectacular finale to their performance. Photo: Tran Thanh Giang/VNP
Dragons play together in a display of unity and camaraderie. Photo: Tran Thanh Giang/VNP
Women dancers from the Me Linh Troupe grace the festival with their elegant performance. Photo: Tran Thanh Giang/VNP
The beat of the drums creates a rhythmic and festive atmosphere during the dragon dance festival. Photo: Tran Thanh Giang/VNP
The festival takes place in front of the statue of King Ly Thai To, a revered figure in Hanoi’s history. Photo: Tran Thanh Giang/VNP
A powerful and energetic dragon dance performance captivates the audience. Photo: Tran Thanh Giang/VNP
The performance by the Chuong My Troupe wins first prize, showcasing their exceptional talent and creativity. Photo: Thong Hai/VNP
A beautiful and graceful pose by one of the dragon dance troupes. Photo: Thong Hai/VNP
A colorful dragon, a symbol of good luck and prosperity, dances through the streets. Photo: Thong Hai/VNP
A dragon dance troupe performs on a Hanoi street, bringing joy and excitement to the city. Photo: Thong Hai/VNP
The dragon dance festival is a vibrant celebration of Hanoi’s rich cultural heritage and history. Photo: Thong Hai/VNP
The Quoc Oai Troupe stands out with their experienced and older dancers. Photo: Thong Hai/VNP
A dragon dance performance captures the essence of Vietnamese culture and tradition. Photo: Tran Thanh Giang/VNP
- Hanoi’s Dragon Dance Festival: A Cultural Extravaganza
