VietNamNet Bridge – Twelve dragon and unicorn dance troupes in HCMC will gather at the pedestrian square on Nguyen Hue Boulevard in the center of town from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Sunday for the city’s first dragon dance festival.

Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa (C), deputy director of the HCMC Department of Tourism, introduces the first dragon dance festival in HCMC – Photo: Dao Loan

The event is being organized by the HCMC Department of Tourism to entertain local and foreign tourists.

The participating troupes are Hang Nga Duong, Hai Nam Hao Quang, Phuoc Duyen Duong, Lien Nghia Duong, Hao Dung Duong, Hai Nam Lien Huu, Khai Uy, Lam Minh, Hung Dung Duong, Thong Nhat, Thien Ung and Tam Hoa Duong.

They will be joining a procession through some of the downtown streets like Le Loi, Huynh Thuc Khang, Pasteur, Ton That Thiep, Ho Tung Mau, Huynh Thuc Khang, Ham Nghi, Hai Trieu, Dong Khoi, Nguyen Thiep, and Ngo Duc Ke.

After the procession, they will be performing at Nguyen Hue pedestrian square.

Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa, deputy director of the Department of Tourism, said VND3 billion (US$130,000) had been set aside to hold the festival, with half of the sum coming from local companies and individuals.

The organizer looks to invite some international dragon and unicorn dance troupes to the Mid-Autumn Festival or Lunar New Year celebration in 2017.

“This is one of the activities intended to make the pedestrian square livelier. More events will be held in near future to entertain visitors,” Hoa added.

SGT