From May 1 to 3, 2025, Da Nang Downtown will come alive with festive energy as it hosts the Extended Lion and Dragon Dance Championship 2025. This event marks the official start of the summer tourism season in Da Nang and serves as a key highlight for visitors during Vietnam’s Reunification Day and Labor Day holiday on April 30 – May 1.
The championship will take place at Sun Wheel Square – Da Nang Downtown over three nights of competitions, each built around a distinct theme: Da Long Quang, Lan Dia Buu, and Mai Hoa Thung. The event is officially supported by the Vietnam Lion and Dragon Dance Federation..
Sun Wheel Square – Da Nang Downtown will host thrilling lion and dragon dance battles
Da Long Quang will kick off the championship on May 1 from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, featuring between 6 and 10 competing teams. This is the first time Da Long Quang will be staged at Da Nang Downtown, promising visually stunning and dreamlike performances, as dragons glide to the rhythm of ever-changing light displays.
Lan Dia Buu will take place on May 2 from 4:30 PM to 9:30 PM, welcoming 15 to 25 teams split into two sessions. This night showcases traditional ground-based lion dance techniques that highlight the harmonious connection between performer and lion. The final night, Mai Hoa Thung, which also marks the closing of the championship, will be held on May 3 from 4:00 PM to 9:30 PM and is expected to feature the most thrilling displays. In this segment, 15 to 25 teams will perform high-stakes routines on raised poles, requiring exceptional balance and flawless coordination. During intermissions, visitors will enjoy performances including flair bartending, circus acts, and magic shows.
Vibrant performances infused with the spirit of Vietnam’s traditional culture
The championship will bring together 25 top lion and dragon dance teams from across the country, including from Da Nang, Quang Nam, An Giang, Can Tho, and Hanoi. All participating teams are highly experienced and among Vietnam’s best, with strong technical expertise and impressive records. Standout names include Dinh Tran Vo, one of the nation’s top ground dance troupes; Tu Cau, representing Da Nang’s lion dance scene; and Style 2D from Lam Dong, a youthful, high-energy team that has won multiple national championships. Veteran groups such as Mieu Bay Ba boast numerous international accolades, while Hao Dung Duong has triumphed at competitions in Hong Kong, Thailand, and Singapore. Tinh Anh Duong holds a Vietnam Guinness Record for professional excellence within the national lion and dragon dance community.
Judging will be conducted by a National Jury Panel, known for its credibility and experience at major competitions including the 2022 National Sports Festival and national lion dance championships from 2013 to 2024. The chief judge will be Meritorious Artist Giang Van Dat, a veteran of numerous domestic and international tournaments, ensuring the highest standards of fairness and professionalism. Hoang Van Linh, representing the Vietnam Lion and Dragon Dance Federation’s Technical and Referee Committee, will also directly oversee the competition.
The Extended Lion and Dragon Dance Championship 2025 promises dazzling and surreal displays at Da Nang Downtown
In addition to the exhilarating championship nights, visitors to Da Nang Downtown will experience a full-fledged traditional cultural festival.
Activities will line Sun Wheel Square, creating a lively and interactive space where cultural heritage meets modern-day fun. Guests can explore an exhibition zone showcasing panels on the history, significance, and evolution of lion and dragon dancing. Nearby, the “Journey to Childhood” folk game area will offer nostalgic experiences with traditional Vietnamese games like slap-hands, hopscotch, Chinese chess, and tic-tac-toe—recreating the spirit of a village fair in a contemporary urban setting.
Alongside the Championship, the VUI Fest Night Market is a must-see hotspot at Da Nang Downtown
Visitors can also indulge in local cuisine with a Da Nang food tour across more than 50 booths at the VUI Fest Night Market, or enjoy BBQ menus at Panda Restaurant overlooking the Han River. During the festival, the square will also feature a Ba Na Hills-themed food corner, serving popular street eats like sausages, fries, Vietnamese sweet sausage, soft-serve ice cream, and craft beer—especially the Sun KraftBeer from Ba Na, available right downtown without the mountain trip.
From May 1 to 3, Da Nang Downtown will temporarily suspend its free admission policy. Tickets to the championship will be priced at 50,000 VND per person, with free entry for children under 1 meter tall. Guests purchasing All-in-One (AIO) tickets, food combos with AIO, haunted house combos with AIO, 3-game combos, or Sun Wheel tickets will receive complimentary access to the event.
To win free tickets, visitors can join the “0 VND ticket hunt” from April 14 to 20, 2025. Each day, the first 50 visitors arriving at the Da Nang Downtown Customer Service Counter between 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM will receive a free ticket. To qualify, participants must check in at the Da Nang Downtown entrance with one of the event’s branded hand signs and post a photo to their personal Facebook page tagging the official fanpage of Da Nang Downtown.
Spectacular “light dragon” shows set to take visitors from one jaw-dropping surprise to the next
With the Vietnam’s National Lion and Dragon Dance Championship 2025 – Extended Edition and vibrant displays of red flags with yellow stars, Da Nang Downtown is poised to become the festive heart of the Han River city this holiday season. More than just entertainment, the event is a celebration of national pride, cultural identity, and community spirit in today’s modern Vietnam.
