The head begins with a frame made of bamboo, rattan and thin wire. After the frame is assembled, sheets of rice paper are glued on and left to harden. Once dry, artisans hand‑paint the face. The whole head can take up to five days, while the body needs another two days.

Before a lion can dance, Hùng and his team perform a ceremonial eye‑dot on an auspicious day, offering prayers and marking the pupil to give the costume spiritual energy.

Customers now ask for lighter frames, new adhesives, LED lights, stainless‑steel teeth and horns, and even patterns inspired by Malay, Chinese and Hong Kong designs. Hùng incorporates these upgrades, but he still favors the vintage look of the traditional style.

A finished costume sells for VND5–7 million. They are bought by clients across Vietnam and exported to France, the United States, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand and other countries.

“I prefer the traditional one more. The traditional one, looking at it, gives you a vintage lion feel,” Hùng says, reminding buyers that while innovation is welcome, the soul of the lion remains rooted in old‑world craftsmanship.