Saigon Studio Keeps Lion Dance Costumes Alive

In southern Vietnam, particularly in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), lion dances (Múa Lân) are a vital traditional art form that enlivens the Tết (Lunar New Year) celebrations. Bành Chí Hùng, owner of Saigon’s Thuận Anh Hãng lion dance costume studio in the Bình Hưng Hòa ward, states, “This passion for lions is in our blood. Many, many kids in the past dropped out of school or quit work just to go.” At Hùng’s studio, bamboo, rattan, and wire are meticulously assembled for the head’s frame, onto which rice paper is glued and left to harden before being hand-painted. This process alone takes up to five days, with an additional two days required for the costume’s body. The completed costumes are sold for VND5–7 million (approximately $200–$280 USD) to buyers not only throughout Vietnam but also overseas to countries like France, the US, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Thailand. Hùng has observed firsthand the evolution of design trends and material quality over his many years of experience. Newer lion head models feature lighter frames, making them easier to lift. Modern glues are easier to paint on, allowing for more intricate details and a wider range of vibrant colors. The influence of foreign styles from Malaysia, China, and Hong Kong has also led to new designs and facial features. However, Hùng expresses a preference for tradition: “I prefer the traditional one more. The traditional one, looking at it, gives you a vintage lion feel.” While customer requests may include new elements like stainless steel teeth, horns, and LED lights, a crucial element remains the “eye-dotting” ceremony. Performed on an auspicious day, this ritual is believed to imbue the costume with its “spiritual energy, the soul.” Despite being involved in costume making for nearly three decades, Hùng’s initial fascination was not with crafting the costumes themselves, but with the lion dance performances, drawn by the sound of the drums. After years as a performer, he learned costume making from his mentors and eventually established it as his business after retiring from performing. Modern lion dances are often showcased in international competitions, with performances becoming more sophisticated and routines standardized. The once rambunctious element, where rival teams might literally brawl, has largely faded. In sanctioned competitions, disputes are now settled through ritualistic bowing to a respectful drum cadence. Hùng’s costumes are utilized not only for these competitions but also for various celebrations throughout the year, including corporate opening ceremonies and weddings. Source: Saigoneer