Vietnamese Dance: Traditional Styles, Cultural Significance, and Modern Performances

This blog post is about Vietnamese dance: Traditional dances varies as you visit different parts, You can hear many styles of music but there are just a few certain types of traditional Vietnamese dances, in which Vietnamese traditional dance plays an important role in the culture of the country.

Even today, many communities continue to uphold their customs, placing strong importance on culture—not just in history, but also through music and dance.

That is why below we will analyze Vietnamese Traditional dances, highlighting the diversity and richness that it possesses, having a great section regarding the theater, being very present the Music of Ceremonies and being part of different rituals and popular festivals of the Vietnam.

Festivals: Vietnamese Traditional Dances

Vietnamese dances have changed over time, reflecting the customs of each royal dynasty. Dancers traditionally performed them as offerings to the kingdom and to wish good fortune for the nation and royal court. Even today, performers continue to honor this tradition.

Western influence shapes the musical form known as Nhac, combining traditional Vietnamese music and culture with Western customs, and featuring performances by female vocalists.

In dances in Vietnam, movements highlight dynamic energy and a wide variety of styles, preserving the classic ballet of ancient Hmong and Cham dances. During holidays, people perform the popular Lion dance, celebrating it by day or night depending on whether they are in the southern or northern region of the country.

Musical Forms of Vietnamese Dances

Following Vietnamese music and traditional dances, we find a high presence of string musical instruments, accompanied by different percussions and Drums that have well-defined structures according to the region where the dance is performing (dividing into North, Central and South Vietnam) It is logically influenced by the divergence of cultures in Vietnam, inspired by folkloric folk songs and logically by the geographical environment where this country is located, on the Indochina Peninsula, so we must think of a well-defined oriental style.

Of course, there is also a presence in the western world, being frequent to find Jazz Clubs that merge the style of this musical genre with that of Vietnamese Traditional Music.

Xuan Pha Folk Dance of Ancient Vietnam

The Xuan Pha dances are named for few of the folk performances that represent the arrival of five diplomatic missions to celebrate a great military victory for the Emperor of ancient Vietnam.

According to the researchers, Xuan Pha is considered a dance that contains a lot of mystical information from the Vietnamese in the past, including numerous aspects related to the history of the nation, and plays an important role in the treasure of national music.

Currently, there are many criteria regarding the origin of Xuan Pha dance in Vietnam. According to the artist Bui Van Hung (Xuan Truong Commune, Tho Xuan District, Thanh Hoa), who has had great strength in preserving and conserving the Xuan Pha legacy, this show appeared in the Dinh dynasty (968 – 980).

Local legend has it that Dinh Bo Linh was on his way to fight the last of the twelve warlords, named Ngo Xuong Xi, in Binh Kieu, Chau Ai (now Thanh Hoa province).

They placed him in Quan Thanh and sent an envoy to ask for the support of the gods to defeat the enemy and unify the country. During his mission, the envoy was caught in a storm on the Chu River and had to take refuge in the Xuan Pha Temple.

The Vietnamese Lotus Dance

To highlight the beauty of the lotus flower, which deserves to be the national flower of Vietnam, the artists of the Bong Sen Theater in Ho Chi Minh City organized and presented a unique dance program called “Lotus Dance” to the public.

With its beauty and fragrance, the lotus flower is the icon of the beauty and purity of Vietnamese women and the spiritual and cultural beauty of this nation.

For this reason, the artistic program is made up of a series of stories about this flower through dances and a traditional and modern artistic language.

Vietnam’s Dragon Dances

Vietnamese have always considered the dragon as s sacred creature, with extraordinary strength and a symbol of good fortune. In some Eastern countries, the dragon still symbolizes power and national origin.

In Vietnam, dragon dances back to the legend of the “Dragon Father and Fairy Mother”. Dragon dance has long been a peculiar culture of Asian countries, including Vietnam. Today, the dragon dance in Vietnam is a unique artistic manifestation of many people.

Festival of dragon dance in Hanoi

In the My Dinh National Stadium square, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Hanoi organized the “Festival of Dragon Dance Hanoi”, with the participation of 28 groups and 50 dragons from places in the city.

At the festival, the participating teams provided numerous impressive and beautiful performances. Many dances showed difficult techniques with the combination of four sacred animals: Long – Ly – Quy – Phuong (dragon-unicorn-turtle-phoenix), expressing the fervor and talent of the artists and the public to preserve traditional culture.

In addition to the ingenious techniques of dragon dances and familiar themes, the artists also put a lot of effort into studying, collecting and composing special dances, particularly those related to historical accounts and of deep spiritual significance, such as “An Duong Vuong builds the Citadel of Co Loa ”,“ Two dragons playing with pearl ”,“ Movement towards the dragon ”and“ Phu Dong with ascending dragon ”.

Vietnamese Leon Dance

The lion dance is known in Vietnam as the unicorn dance (Vietnamese: múa lân) based on the mythical creature kỳ lân, which is similar to the Chinese Qilin.

Most of the lions in Vietnam resemble the Lion of the South, they are part of the Chinese tradition of the Lion of the South, but they have acquired local characteristics.

However, there are also different local forms that differ significantly in appearance and performance, for example, the lions dances of the Tay and Nung minorities.Performers present a court version of the dance at the Duyet Thi Duong Theater on the grounds of the royal palace in Huế.

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Lion dance in festivals

The dance is mainly performed at traditional festivals such as the Vietnamese Lunar New Year (Tết) and the Mid-Autumn Festival (Tết trung thu), as well as other occasions, such as the opening of a new business, birthdays and weddings.

The dance is usually accompanied by martial artists and stunts. A feature of the Vietnamese unicorn dance is its dance partner Ông Địa or the spirit of the earth, depicted as a large, broad-bellied and widely smiling man holding a fan of palm leaves similar to the “Great Chinese Buddha” (大头佛). The kind-hearted spirit, according to popular belief, has the power to summon the auspicious unicorn, and therefore, during the dance, takes the initiative to clear the way for the unicorn.

Ông Địa’s comical appearance enhances the festive and joyous nature of the dance. Vietnamese teams craft the lion’s head without a horn because constant fights between teams caused horns to get damaged. To prevent opponents from harming the lion, many Vietnamese teams choose to leave the horns off.

Vietnamese Bài Bông dance

Múa bài bông, is an an ancient Vietnamese dance dating back to the Tran Dynasty. Tran Quang Khai created this dance to perform on the peaceful feast day of King Tran Nhan Tong.

However, some believe Chieu Vuong Tran Nhat Duat created the song Bai dance.During the second resistance war against the Yuan-Mongol invaders, Tran forces captured Ly Nguyen Cat among Toa Do’s troops and she stayed to teach classical opera.

The Prince’s mother gave birth to a mother who was fighting to learn. Classical music influences the Cotton dance, expressing longevity through movements that show scenes like giving peach and offering wine. The Vietnamese spirit links the reunion dance to Buddhist culture, merging it with the development of Truc Lam Zen.

Múa xòe dance (Thai minorities of Northern Vietnam)

Múa xòe Tây Bắc is another folk dance and a a unique cultural activity and infant a popular dance among the Northwestern Thai ethnic minority of northern Vietnam. The spread dance also known as “Praises” (hand-held dance). Dance shows the friendly, close and collective solidarity, so all Thais know how to dance and love the spread art of the nation.

Múa xòe Tây Bắc Dance is a valuable cultural heritage of Thai people with sustainable vitality among the people.

Dance is a symbol of the love of the Thai minorities, from the love of hard working life, to the love of couples, Thai people often organize dancing in spring, season and wedding festivals.

The Thai minority people have 6 ancient radiant beats, which is the origin of Thai folk dance. The most basic trick is “Catching a new hotpot towel” – meaning “raising a towel to invite wine”. This is the spread to express the culture in the communication behavior of Thai ethnic people.

Múa Nhảy sạp: Famous Bamboo dance of Vietnam

Bamboo dancing is called Nhảy sạp or múa sạp, is a dance related to the culture of people of all ethnic groups in South-East of Asia, such as Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Philippines, Borneo Island in Malaysia.

Ethnic groups in Vietnam often organize dance on festivals, festivals, such as the season, the Lunar New Year or on the moonlit nights (Kho Mu people in Dien Bien).

In fact, Bamboo dance is performed by many Northwestern tribes in Vietnam, especially during festivals. This shows that, regardless of originating from any ethnic group, its spread is very large, showing strong attraction, and at the same time, high community, easy to popularize.

The Kinh people also perform this dance, attracting many participants. Since the dancing sessions celebrating the Dien Bien victory (May 1954) between the army and the people, artists have transformed the stall dance, bringing it to many stages and performances with Vietnamese art troupes abroad.

Vietnamese Balroom Dance

Ballroom dance has become very popular in Vietnam. Although it originated in Latin America, people around the world now enjoy it, including Vietnamese dancers. When referring to ballroom, most people think of styles like chachacha, tango, or slow foxtrot.

Ballroom training helps dancers improve their physical abilities, including speed, strength, endurance, and flexibility. It also promotes a balanced and graceful physique, enhancing both charm and style.

In addition to ballroom, many Vietnamese dancers have embraced street performances and Latin dances. Latin styles like samba, reggaeton, salsa, and cha cha come from countries such as Cuba, Colombia, and Brazil. These high-energy dances use rhythmic body movements set to vibrant Latin music, creating an exciting experience that inspires people to move with every beat.

Vietnam Traditional Dance in new era

In new era, still, Vietnamese traditional dance reflects the rich cultural heritage and diverse ethnic groups across the country. From the elegant Vietnamese folk dance of the northern regions to the vibrant Cham and Khmer influences in the south, each performance showcases the depth of Vietnam culture. Local dancers often wear traditional Vietnamese costumes like áo tứ thân or áo dài, which add grace and symbolism to their movements. Live instruments and melodic rhythms accompany the performances, and cultural organizers frequently include Vietnamese music and dance in festivals, ceremonies, and other cultural events across Vietnam.

These performances give visitors a unique window into the country’s artistic soul.

Vietnam Folk Dance in central highlands

In Vietnam’s Central Highlands, the provinces of Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Pleiku, and Buon Ma Thuot come alive with vibrant folk dances deeply rooted in the traditions of ethnic minorities like the Bana and Ede.

These meaningful performances—often seen during cultural festivals in Vietnam—feature rhythmic footwork, symbolic movements, and the unmistakable sounds of the gong dance, a UNESCO-recognized cultural heritage.

Dancers dress in traditional handwoven attire, celebrating tribal stories and spiritual beliefs through every movement.

If you’re exploring Vietnam Central Highlands dance, don’t miss the chance to witness these authentic ethnic minority dances in Vietnam, where culture, music, and community blend into an unforgettable Vietnam folk performance.

Dance in Vietnamese society

Dance in Vietnamese culture reflects a rich blend of history, spirituality, and community storytelling. From the elegant Ao Dai dance, where dancers in flowing national dress move gracefully to traditional music, to the powerful and symbolic Vietnamese folk dance performed by ethnic minorities across the country, dance plays a vital role in preserving Vietnam’s cultural identity.

Popular during Vietnam festival performances, you’ll often see the dynamic lion dance in Vietnam during Lunar New Year and temple celebrations, symbolizing luck and prosperity.

Whether you’re witnessing a Vietnam traditional dance in Hanoi or a tribal performance in the Central Highlands, Vietnamese cultural dance offers a captivating glimpse into the soul of the nation.

Traditional Vietnamese Folk Music

Traditional Vietnamese folk music represents the soul of Vietnam’s cultural heritage, passed down through generations in every region of the country.

From the northern Quan họ love duets to the southern Đờn ca tài tử ensemble performances, these timeless melodies tell stories of daily life, love, and nature.

Vietnamese folk musicians center their art around unique instruments like the đàn bầu (monochord zither), đàn tranh (16-string zither), and bamboo flutes, which create hauntingly beautiful tones.

Whether you’re exploring the folk songs of Vietnam in a countryside village or enjoying Vietnamese traditional music during a cultural festival, each performance reflects the deep connection between music and identity.

With rich regional music styles in Vietnam, such as Central Highlands gong ensembles or Central Vietnam’s ceremonial Nhã nhạc, cultural music of Vietnam continues to thrive and enchant both locals and global visitors.