From the drumbeats of the Lion Dance to the journey of preserving Vietnamese identity abroad
WVR - The recent cross-country tour through Laos and Thailand by the Vietnam Lion Dance Federation and IVS Education System was not just about dazzling artistic performances.
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Behind the vibrant drumbeats of the lion dance in Vientiane (Laos) or the powerful Vovinam moves in the heart of Udon Thani (Thailand) lies a persistent effort to connect the cultural ties of millions of overseas Vietnamese.
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| The IVS School Lion Dance Team performs at the 30th Anniversary Celebration of the Vietnamese Consulate General in Khon Kaen, Thailand. |
Awakening memories, reviving roots
The Vietnamese community in Thailand and Laos currently numbers in the hundreds of thousands. Over time, many families have reached the third and fourth generations. At this age, as children are born and grow up fully integrated into the local environment, preserving the Vietnamese language and traditional lifestyle becomes a challenging puzzle.
In this context, the cross-border tour in Laos and Thailand by the Vietnam Lion Dance Federation in collaboration with the IVS Education System from April 16-24 holds special significance.
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| The vibrant drumbeats of the lion dance awaken memories of the homeland at Phat Tich Temple. |
In the serene space of Phat Tich Temple (Vientiane, Laos), the resounding drumbeats of the lion dance lit up the eyes of hundreds of overseas Vietnamese. Some elderly people were moved to tears upon hearing the familiar sounds of village festivals from the past, while some children timidly reached out to touch the lion's head with curiosity and excitement.
Venerable Thich Minh Quang, the abbot of Phat Tich Temple, shared: “This is the first time the overseas Vietnamese community has witnessed the lion dance and traditional martial arts right at the temple. I clearly see the joy in the children's eyes. This shows that Vietnamese culture is always present, ready to spread vigorously when given the opportunity. We hope for more programs like this so that the younger generation can understand and connect more with their roots.”
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| The spirit of Vietnamese Vovinam - Viet Vo Dao resonates at the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Site in Udon Thani. |
In Thailand, the troupe brought a heroic spirit to Vietnam Town and the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Site in Udon Thani. The decisive Vovinam moves were not just martial arts performances, but also conveyed the spirit of chivalry and national pride to the overseas Vietnamese community.
Sharing about a challenging reality, Mr. Luong Xuan Hoa, President of the Vietnamese Association in Udon Thani, stated: “We once opened simple Vietnamese language classes, but they were not appealing to the younger generation. The enthusiasm of the children for the lion dance and martial arts has opened a key for the community. Traditional art and Vovinam will be the most natural way to gather the children, and through that, the Vietnamese language and culture will be absorbed voluntarily and sustainably.”
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| Lion dance celebrating Hung Kings' Commemoration Day at Khanh An Temple |
From artistic performances to a cultural education ecosystem
The highlight of the journey concluded with a solemn performance at the 30th Anniversary Celebration of the Vietnamese Consulate General in Khon Kaen (Thailand). At this moment, the story was not just about applause but opened up practical cooperation directions to preserve national roots.
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| The IVS School Lion Dance and Vovinam - Viet Vo Dao Team performs at the 30th Anniversary Celebration of the Vietnamese Consulate General in Khon Kaen. |
From a cultural perspective, People's Artist Trong Trinh, President of the Vietnam Lion Dance Federation, shared: “The overseas Vietnamese community is an integral part of the nation. To keep that bond strong, cultural identity must be continuously passed on. Here, the lion dance and Vovinam are not merely arts or martial arts, but important bridges to bring the young Vietnamese generation in Laos and Thailand closer to their mother tongue and cultural roots.”
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| Teacher Luu Hai Bang, representing the touring troupe, receives a certificate of appreciation from the Vietnamese Consul General in Khon Kaen, Dinh Hoang Linh. |
The reality demands well-structured models, transforming culture from something "to watch" into something "to learn and live." Recognizing this, Dr. Pham Quang Long, representing the IVS Education System, affirmed: “Education is the most sustainable path. We not only bring art to showcase but also wish to collaborate with the community to build specific training ecosystems, helping overseas Vietnamese children truly learn and experience the Vietnamese cultural environment.”
Immediately after the tour, the first bricks were laid. The Vietnamese Associations in Laos and Thailand and the IVS Education System have agreed to implement a summer study program in Vietnam.
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| People's Artist Trong Trinh (far right), President of the Vietnam Lion Dance Federation with overseas Vietnamese. |
It is expected that in August 2026, the first 30 overseas Vietnamese students will return to Vietnam to study the Vietnamese language, martial arts, and traditional arts.
This is a crucial piece to transform the pride into long-term preservation actions. The greatest achievement of this journey lies not in the number of performances but in the "activation" of cultural consciousness within the community. When pride is awakened, when the third and fourth generations actively seek their roots through each martial art move, each lion dance beat, culture becomes a vibrant flow, connecting millions of Vietnamese hearts worldwide.
