Vietnamese students studying abroad represent Europe at international lion dance competition.

(Baonghean.vn) - A special passion for lion and dragon dance - a unique cultural feature of Asia - has led a group of Vietnamese students studying in France on a bizarre journey across the planet.

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Lion dance in France: Why not?

In early 2012, six Vietnamese students spent Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) away from home in France. Missing the peach blossoms, apricot blossoms, banh chung (traditional rice cakes), red envelopes, and lion dances of the spring festival, a spontaneous idea popped into their minds: Why not try performing the lion dance themselves? It would be fun, help ease homesickness, and they might even get some lucky money if they performed in places with a large Asian community.

True to their word, the whole team pooled their funds and planned the performance. Some proactively contacted suppliers to buy materials, while others searched for videos online to learn on their own. The first performance was fortunate to receive enthusiastic support from Vietnamese people.

The unexpected positive response from the community propelled the idea of ​​a lion dance group "for fun" further. In the summer of 2012, Nguyen Le Duc Tan (from Vung Tau, a student studying in Lyon) – one of the first members of the group – went to Malaysia to participate in a training course with Siow Ho Phiew, one of the founders of the international lion dance group Hong Teck, which now performs in over 40 countries worldwide.

Driven by their passion and determination to pursue lion dance, Duc Tan and his group members officially registered to represent Hong Teck in France under the name Hong Teck Lyon.

The props and costumes were purchased with money pooled by the team members and savings from their performance earnings.

Members of the Hong Teck Lyon group after a performance.

Success doesn't come naturally.

Professional lion dance requires absolute perseverance and unwavering determination. It has become a rule that team members must maintain three training sessions per week, each lasting two hours, for the past five years. Team members often jokingly say: Joining the lion dance team is like becoming a disciple at a martial arts school – the discipline is as hard as steel!

Hong Teck Lyon's training video:

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Yet, this seemingly "fun" environment and activities have brought unexpected benefits to the members. Professionalism, discipline, physical fitness, and perseverance are valuable assets that the members have acquired through lion dance.

When faced with difficulties in life, they think optimistically: "If I can run 10km in the rain and lift someone on my head, then what's so difficult about this?"

After three years of training and saving up performance fees to invest in professional equipment, Hong Teck Lyon has reached an impressive level: Mai Hoa Thung. This is a dance move involving supporting oneself on poles 2.5 meters high, with the longest distance reaching 1.8 meters.

Mai Hoa Thung – a difficult technique in lion and dragon dance – has been mastered by Hong Teck Lyon.

Stepping onto the international stage

The Genting International Lion Dance Competition in Malaysia is a long-standing event held only every two years. It's a vibrant cultural platform, bringing together lion dance troupes from all over the world, and a dream for anyone passionate about this unique art form.

From an amateur lion dance group with only 6 members, Hong Teck Lyon now has 33 members and tours in many places both inside and outside France. Participating in Genting 2016, which will take place this July in Malaysia, as representatives from Europe will certainly be a strange but meaningful experience for this group of Vietnamese students studying abroad.

Stay up-to-date with the latest news from Hong Teck Lyon on their Facebook page or website:www.hongtecklyon.frAnd we wish them success in their "venture abroad" at Genting 2016!

See more photos of Hong Teck Lyon:

Khanh Chau

Photo: Facebook Hong Teck Lyon