Dance clubs attract elderly people in Lục Ngạn District, the northern province of Bắc Giang. Photo baobacgiang.com.vn

LỤC NGẠN -- Dance clubs in Lục Ngạn District in the northern province of Bắc Giang have grown, involving more than 600 elderly people. 

Every day at 8pm, at the sports ground of the People's Committee of Giáp Sơn Commune, senior women eagerly practise dancing. When the music begins, everyone gets ready and starts the first dance.

For about an hour, their dancing has a strong rhythm and a wide range of movements alternating between dances, aerobics and combination exercises such as chachacha, tango, valse and zumba. The music is Vietnamese popular songs praising the beauty of Việt Nam country and people. 

"Established in 2022, this is the first dance club in the district with 40 members," said Hoàng Thị Đông, head of the club. "Joining the club, the members have the chance to exchange and know more about dance. It is a place for them to practise to have good health and more joy in their life.

"We shoot clips and take photos to share on the internet, spreading love for dance and gathering more members."

Nguyễn Thị Hồng, from Trần Phú Street in Chũ Town, recently found herself a new hobby -- dancing.

"I was never much of a dancer," Hồng said. "The club members encouraged me to join the club. Dancing raises the level of dopamine and we can't help but be all smiles."

Most of the members in the 13 clubs in the district are taught to dance skillfully in 14 dances and 32 basic dancing steps of zumba, chachacha and bachata. The clubs have gradually become a more standardised and professional way of exercising for the elderly people in the district. 

However, it is not easy to attract the people's attention because almost of them don't understand the benefits of dance, according to Đặng Thị Vượng, head of the club in Chũ Town. 

"Many of them thought that dance is not suitable for elderly people," said Vượng. "But we search for dances specifically for the elderly and learn with professional dancers.

"The concept of active and healthy ageing should become more broadly embraced. There are more elderly people who should come to the club."

The district's Elderly People Association will set up clubs in all communes in the area, aiming at helping the club members to play an active role in society. -- VNS