Revitalising the spirit of the lion dance
‘Trang Ta’ is a project dedicated to recreating traditional Mid-Autumn Festival toys, conceptualised and led by independent art researcher Kevin Vuong since 2020. At the exhibition, Vuong presents his extensive research on the lion head mask once used in the lion dance celebrations of the Northern Delta’s full moon festivities.
Unlike the kirin dance of the Southern region, which bears Chinese cultural influences, the Northern Delta lion head mask features uniquely Vietnamese elements - most notably, carp-shaped eyebrows symbolising the wet-rice civilisation.
Over time, the original characteristics of these masks have faded and are often misrepresented. Vuong’s meticulous research, drawing on archival materials from the French Museum and the French School of the Far East, has enabled a vivid reconstruction of the mask using traditional materials such as rattan, bamboo, poonah paper (do), and lacquer.
The recreation took five years of dedicated research, material collection, and systematisation.
Speaking at a seminar held as part of the exhibition, Vuong shared that the greatest challenge was locating authentic imagery of the original mask. He visited numerous locations - from Ha Noi’s Old Quarter and Hang Ma Street to the outskirts of Ha Dong, Ha Tay, and Nam Dinh - once known for producing these masks. However, most artisans have either ceased production or shifted to other crafts.
In 2021, while working in France, Vuong accessed a museum archive containing a Vietnamese lion head mask dating back to 1931. Collected by French staff from the French School of the Far East, the mask had never been publicly displayed.
Despite having access to some materials, Vuong noted the difficulty of recreating the mask due to the decline of traditional artisans and the dominance of Southern kirin mask-making techniques. Only after extensive collaboration and adjustments was he able to achieve the authentic form now on display.
Breathing life into cultural memory
Dr Nguyen Hong Ngoc, lecturer at the University of Information Technology under Viet Nam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, praised Vuong’s work, stating that Kevin Vuong has successfully recreated and preserved heritage in its original form, which is incredibly valuable as heritage is gradually fading in daily life.
“Thus, heritage is revitalised in today’s life rather than being confined and ‘frozen’ in museums,” she praised.
Vuong also invited Nguyen Xuan Hien, the last artisan still performing the ancient lion dance of Phuong Ban village, Chuong My ward, Ha Noi. Hien brought with him a lion head mask crafted in 1932, passed down through three generations. The mask was last restored two decades ago and remains the only surviving artefact of its kind in the village.
Hien’s live performance of the ancestral lion dance offered visitors a vivid glimpse into the Mid-Autumn Festival traditions of the Northern region.
“I was delighted to be invited to perform at Kim Ngan Communal House. It’s heartening to see our ancestors’ traditions being honoured and even more uplifting to witness young people actively preserving this heritage,” he said.
The exhibition also features a traditional Mid-Autumn offering tray, brimming with typical delights - mooncakes, fruits, to he (toy figurines), and other traditional toys.
Writer Le Phuong Lien, a visitor to the exhibition, shared her nostalgic reflections: “As someone born and raised in Ha Noi’s Old Quarter, my Mid-Autumn memories are filled with vibrant colours, offerings prepared by elders, and especially the lion dances that lit up the streets. To me, the lion dance represents courage and spirit, nurturing character in children, especially boys.”
“Preserving and promoting national culture requires action, and this project has truly fulfilled that meaningful goal,” she added.
Nguyen Thu Duong, a student from Cau Giay, Ha Noi, expressed her joy at experiencing the traditional festival atmosphere: “I feel a deeper love for Vietnamese culture and am thrilled that these traditions are being revived for children to enjoy.”
‘Trang Ta’ is not only a journey into the Northern Delta’s Mid-Autumn past but also a conversation about how heritage can continue to thrive in contemporary life.
The exhibition runs until October 12 at Kim Ngan Communal House, 42–44 Hang Bac Street, Hoan Kiem, Ha Noi, as part of the 2025 Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations co-organised by the Management Board of Hoan Kiem Lake and Ha Noi’s Old Quarter.
Kevin Vuong, currently based in Ha Noi, has received numerous accolades including the Best Short Film Award at Media Aptech in 2010 and two scholarships in Germany. His cultural contributions also include translating and publishing foreign literary works such as Grimm’s Fairy Tales and The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.
