As many as 37 professional troupes are competing in the HCM City Open Unicorn-Lion-Dragon Dance Championship being held during weekends at Dam Sen Park in District 11.

There are 21 from HCM City, including Hang Anh Duong, Hao Quang Duong, Lien Huu, Hao Dung Duong, Tinh Vo and Gia Dinh, and 16 from the provinces of Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, Dong Thap, Dong Nai, Binh Duong, An Giang, and Vinh Long.

The performances are judged based on rules and regulations created by the International Dragon and Lion Dance Federation in 2011, Luong Tan Hang, the contest’s artistic adviser, said.

The competition provides a good opportunity for participating troupes, particularly young ones, to master the international standard rating system, he said.

Teams complying with the rules can get high scores, he said.

The event also helps preserve Vietnamese traditional culture, he said.

Tu Trong Thanh, head of the An Giang Province troupe, said his team is taking part to get more exposure and learn from strong rivals.

The troupe, established six years ago, is still young compared to the others, he said.

The international rules are very strict, but it is good for professional troupes to master them so that they can vie for international titles, he added.

The competition that began on December 10 is aimed at offering professional troupes an opportunity to exchange skills as well as entertain locals during the occasion of New Year.

Nguyen Tieu Linh of District 11 said her son loves to see dragon and lion dances.

“The competition taking place in Dam Sen Park is very convenient for families during weekends.”

She hoped it would be organised regularly so that locals could get the chance to enjoy such beautiful shows.

Nguyen Hung, deputy director of the city’s Department of Culture and Sports, said the city’s lion, dragon and unicorn dance teams should get more practice and acquire essential skills to take part in international competitions.

Young talented performers are set to be chosen from the competition and taken into the city’s lion, dragon and unicorn dance team to represent it in national and international competitions.

The contest, organised by the city Department of Culture and Sports and Dam Sen Park, ends on December 31.

Winning teams will perform during the New Year celebrations at Dam Sen Park on the night of January 1. 

VNS