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From childhood memories to the passion for making lion dance heads.
At 42 years old, Mr. Peng Zhihong still vividly remembers the lantern parades of his childhood. "I used to run after the lion dance troupe in the neighborhood, and what I loved most was when the drums beat rapidly, and the lion seemed to come alive before my eyes," he recounted, smiling as he recalled the memories. That passion led him to the craft of making lion heads, partly to satisfy his hobby and partly to earn extra income to support his family.
His Thuan An Workshop has now become one of the familiar lion dance head workshops in Saigon. Business here isn't just bustling during the Mid-Autumn Festival; it lasts all year round, because nowadays lion dances aren't just performed during the Lunar New Year but are also associated with opening ceremonies, birthday celebrations, inaugurations, and even international competitions. "Customers usually place orders one to two months in advance. Orders are slightly higher during the Mid-Autumn Festival, but not excessively so, because the workshop is almost fully booked then," he shared.
These lion heads were ordered by a lion dance troupe in Hai Phong from Thuan An Workshop.
Meticulous attention to detail in every step.
Stepping into the workshop these days, the smell of paint and glue mixes in the air, the clicking sound of bamboo frames, and the rhythmic brushing of paint create a unique tempo. The walls are covered with lion heads, from those newly framed to those gradually taking shape. "Making the frame is the most difficult part, because if the frame is even slightly off, the lion head will no longer have the correct shape," Hung said.
Workers at the workshop are creating the lion head frame from bamboo and rattan.
Each lion head is the result of a series of handcrafted steps, requiring skill and patience. The main materials are rattan and bamboo, which are dried, split into small pieces, and whittled to a smooth finish to create flexibility and ease of bending. Mr. Hung said that creating the frame is the most important stage, determining the shape and durability of the product. After the frame is completed, the craftsman glues layers of fabric onto it, dries them, and then adds another layer to make the frame sturdy.
The lion head after the fabric is glued onto the entire frame.
The painting stage is when the lion dance is "given life." Each brushstroke determines the lion's expression—whether it's sad, happy, or fierce. "The eyes are the most difficult part; they must be painted with soul so that when the lion dances, viewers feel its vibrancy. A beautiful lion head should make people want to look at it a second time," said a young craftsman in the workshop.
The craftsman uses brushes and paint to draw patterns on the lion's head.
Once the paint dries, the process of attaching the fur, making the beard, and adding the tail begins. White sheep wool is chosen to create a soft feel. Beautiful lions are those with bright eyes, long beards, and a majestic posture. The internal strings are skillfully tied so that the eyes and ears can move during the dance.
On average, each lion head takes 5-7 days to complete, depending on its size and complexity. Smaller lion heads, in particular, take longer due to the high precision required. "We have all kinds of dragon, lion, and unicorn heads weighing from 2.5 to 6 kg," Mr. Hung said.
It takes 5 to 7 days to complete a lion head.
The Five Elements color palette and unique style
The lion heads at Thuan An Workshop are deeply rooted in tradition, retaining the five-element color palette: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. Depending on the purpose, the lion heads can be designed with vibrant colors such as red and yellow backgrounds and white swirling feathers for competitions, or with more harmonious color combinations for ceremonies.
Lion heads come in various styles, such as those with pointed, curved, upward-pointing beaks, conveying a fierce and imposing presence, or round, fist-like beaks, also known as "fist horns," creating a gentler feel. Besides traditional Vietnamese lion dances, the workshop also makes Mengkok lions, a type originating from China, known as Lofochiu in Malaysia, recognizable by their eyes and forehead adorned with three rings of LED lights, their spiky cheeks, and their pointed noses, giving them a fierce appearance. Beyond lions, they also craft dragon and phoenix heads, and masks of the Earth God, for dance troupes throughout the country.
Hung's workshop makes all kinds of lion dance costumes, from traditional Vietnamese styles to those from China and Malaysia.
From small workshop to international market
The workshop's products not only serve customers in Ho Chi Minh City but are also shipped to Hai Phong, central provinces, and exported to France, the US, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, and other countries. These vibrant lion heads have become cultural ambassadors of Vietnam in many parts of the world.
In the workshop, commemorative flags from competitions and international exchanges are proudly displayed on the walls. Hung proudly says, "These are mementos of a time when I was directly involved in dancing and exchanges, and they also motivate me to continue practicing this craft."
Commemorative flags from lion dance competitions that Hung participated in when he was young are hung on the walls of his house.
In the days leading up to the Mid-Autumn Festival, the rhythmic drumming of lion dance troupes rehearsing echoes through the night, blending with the sounds of paintbrushes and scissors cutting fabric from the Thuan An Factory, creating a vibrant symphony of labor. From here, the brightly colored lion heads will follow the troupes as they roam the streets, bringing joy to children and adults alike, making the moonlit night even more complete.
