Dong Nai kicks off Lion-Unicorn-Dragon Dance Festival celebrating the Party, welcoming Binh Ngo Spring 2026

On the evening of February 9, at the Dong Nai Sports Training and Competition Center Gymnasium, the Dong Nai Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism held the opening ceremony of the 2026 Dong Nai Lion-Unicorn-Dragon Dance Festival to celebrate the Party and welcome the Lunar New Year of the Horse (Binh Ngo) 2026.

Nguyen Khac Vinh, Deputy Director of the Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Tran Quoc Van, Chairman of the Dong Nai Wushu and Lion-Dragon Dance Federation; delegates; and the Phuc Tam Duong Lion-Unicorn-Dragon Dance Team attended the ceremony. Photo courtesy of the Organizing Committee

The festival is part of a series of sports and cultural activities organized by the Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to celebrate the Party and the Tet 2026, aiming to serve residents across the province during the Tet holiday.

Festival drum performance. Photo courtesy of the Organizing Committee

The expanded Dong Nai Lion-Unicorn-Dragon Dance Festival 2026 takes place over three nights, from February 9 to 11 (corresponding to the 22nd to 24th days of the twelfth lunar month), in front of the Dong Nai Sports Training and Competition Center Gymnasium. The event gathers nine leading lion-unicorn-dragon dance teams from various localities across the province to perform for the public. Performance categories include festival drum displays, dragon dances, pole-climbing lion dances to collect lucky offerings, and lion performances on plum blossom poles (Mai Hoa Thung), and so on.

Lion performance on plum blossom poles by the Phuc Tam Duong Lion-Unicorn-Dragon Dance Team. Photo courtesy of the Organizing Committee

On the opening night, three local teams, comprising Phuc Tam Duong (Dai Phuoc Commune), Bau Sen Duong (Long Hung Commune), and Vy Anh Duong (Trang Bom Commune), performed in succession, attracting a large number of residents who came to watch and cheer.

In the following nights, teams including Bao Vuong Duong, Hoa Anh Duong, Tam Hoa Duong (Tran Bien Ward), Huynh Lan Duong, An Hoa Duong (Long Hung Commune), and Trung Nghia Duong (Tan Trieu Ward) will continue performing to serve local audiences.

By Huy Anh – Translated by Minh Hong, Minho