Dong Nai claims the first gold medal at the national lion dragon dance championship

Dong Nai claims first-ever gold medal in the traditional lion dance category at the national lion dragon dance championship held in Tay Ninh province.

Dong Nai team on the podium receiving the gold medal for traditional Lion Dance. Photo courtesy of organiser

On the evening of November 30, the 11th National Lion-Dragon Dance Championship 2025, organized by the Tay Ninh Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism in coordination with the Sports Authority of Viet Nam and the Vietnam Lion-Dragon Dance Federation, concluded after four days of competition in Tay Ninh province.

Members of the Dong Nai Lion Dragon Dance team perform the traditional lion dance, winning the gold medal. Photo courtesy of organiser

The traditional lion dance performance that won the gold medal by the Dong Nai team. Photo courtesy of organiser

Competing in 3 categories, the Dong Nai  Lion-Dragon Dance team finished this year’s championship with great success, winning 1 gold medal and 1 silver medal for the first time.

The Dong Nai  Lion-Dragon Dance team wins the silver medal in the freestyle dragon dance. Photo courtesy of organiser

Specifically, the Dong Nai  Lion-Dragon Dance team outperformed teams from An Giang, Khanh Hoa, and Dong Thap to take first place in the traditional lion dance category, earning a score of 8.89 and securing the gold medal. This accomplishment is the first gold medal Dong Nai has achieved at a national lion dragon dance championship. In addition, Dong Nai secured a silver medal in the freestyle dragon dance category but did not win any further medals in the lion dance on high poles category. This result serves as motivation for the Dong Nai Lion-Dragon Dance team to continue striving in future championships.

The freestyle dragon dance performance of the Dong Nai team. Photo courtesy of organiser

The national lion dragon dance championship took place from November 25 to 30 at the Tay Ninh Provincial Gymnasium, attracting 230 athletes from 10 units across the country. Teams competed in a range of vibrant events, including traditional lion dance, traditional dragon dance, lion speed, dragon speed, freestyle dragon, men's high poles, mixed-gender high poles, and luminous dragon.

By Huy Anh – Translated by Minh Hanh, Minho