Huynh Phuong
Pham Viet Lam, a millennial artisan from Phu Loi Ward, Can Tho City, crafts lion-dance heads not only out of passion but also to help preserve and promote a cherished traditional art form.
A successful career born from passion
The folk art of lion–unicorn–dragon dancing is believed to have first appeared in China before spreading widely across Asia. In Vietnam, the art form thrives especially in provinces and cities with large Chinese communities, reflected in the familiar saying: “Wherever there are Chinese people, there is lion dancing.” Saigon – Cho Lon is regarded as the cradle where this performing art was nurtured.
Can Tho is now home to over 82,000 ethnic Chinese residents, who – like other ethnic groups – remain deeply committed to preserving their traditional cultural festivals. Among these, lion-unicorn-dragon dancing holds a special place, particularly the craft of making lion heads, which demands creativity, meticulous skill, and experienced craftsmanship. For the 2026 Lunar New Year issue, Heritage proudly presents artisan Pham Viet Lam, a man with a profound passion for the art of lion head crafting.
As a child, Lam was often taken by his maternal uncles to watch lion dance performances. “The vibrant images and movements of the lion dance stayed with me forever,” Lam recalls. In 2016, he began studying online tutorials, bought materials to experiment, welcomed feedback, and successfully completed his first lion head.
After finishing high school in 2018, although he briefly studied pharmacy, Lam decided to choose lion head crafting as his career path.
Exquisite craftsmanship in every lion head
Lam’s “workshop” sits on Tran Hung Dao Street. In reality, it is the ground floor of his home, where six skilled workers – family members and neighbors – each responsible for a specific stage of production. By dividing the labor, he has shortened the time required to make a lion head to just 1–2 days, compared to nearly half a month when he first started. The stages of making a lion head are quite complex, ranging from creating the bamboo frame, pasting the fabric, and painting patterns to attaching fur and decorating accessories like eyes and beards. Among these, bending the frame is the decisive step for ensuring a symmetrical face, while painting the patterns is the most crucial step for giving the lion head an expression that is both elegant and majestic.
The young artisan crafts a diverse range of models popular in the market, such as the traditional flat-beak lion, the curved beak (Foshan style), the round beak (Heshan style), and the Pixiu, with prices ranging from 5.5 million to over 10 million VND per product. Foshan-style lions feature pointed horns and a commanding appearance, suitable for ancestral worship, dojo openings, or stage performances. Meanwhile, the round beak lion features a fist-shaped horn and is danced in the “dragon style” or “cat style,” utilizing agile movements favored for expressing emotion during pole performances.
The model Lam is currently producing the most is the mengkok (a variation of the Foshan lion popular in Malaysia, originating from Chinese culture), as it has recently been introduced to Vietnam. This type features large eyes, distinctive patterns, and a unique three-forehead design symbolizing the mirror that reflects heaven, earth, and humankind living in harmony.
Beyond standard-sized heads for performance, he also makes decorative lion heads in various large and small sizes to meet customer tastes for display or souvenirs.
A dream to reach further
In 2023, Lam received dozens of domestic orders for lion heads during Mid-Autumn Festival and Lunar New Year. Today, more than 80% of his creations are exported, to Malaysia, the United States, Singapore, and Brunei. The remainder is supplied to local lion-dance troupes. Abroad, he works with partners for distribution; others are transported through hand-carried shipments.
His workshop buzzes with activity every day. Lam continuously updates new designs, trains workers, and refines skills – contributing in his own way to preserving and sustaining this traditional handicraft.
Accompanied by the vibrant beat of drums, the lion-unicorn-dragon dance brings joy to Tet celebrations, offering prayers for peace, prosperity, and happiness in the coming year. Lam’s dream is to produce an increasing number of lion heads, exporting them via sea routes or Vietnam Airlines flights to many countries around the world.
