By 8 p.m., the room is full of mostly young people, both Vietnamese and foreigners, buzzing with excitement.

“There’s nothing here but good music, beautiful dance moves, and joyful friends. This dance is for everyone. Whether you know how to dance or not, you’re welcome to visit and find joy here,” Le Xuan Tung, one of the club’s organizers, said.

Swing dancing encompasses a variety of styles, including Lindy Hop, Balboa, Jive, and the distinct flavors of East and West Coast Swing from the US, but Lindy Hop is the most popular. What sets swing apart is its emphasis on connection, spontaneity, freedom, and – most of all – fun.

There are no age, gender, or nationality barriers to swing dancing. No matter what your experience level, if you love music and dancing, Hanoi Swing Dancing is a welcoming place to have fun and connect with others.

Beginners who show up can learn how to do the basic Lindy Hop steps while making new friends. For the past five years, Tran Thu Thuy has been a swing dance instructor at the club.

She said she feels deeply connected to this art form because it has opened up so many new interests and activities for her, and she wants to share that joy with others.

“Newcomers don’t need talent or skill. All you need is the right mindset – to be ready to learn, to challenge yourself, and to try something new,” said Thuy.

Swing, a healthy outlet for both body and mind, has grown steadily in popularity in recent years. People come out of curiosity and quickly fall in love with this dance.

Attending a swing session at the club for the first time, Bui Thanh Tam was thrilled to say, “Everyone’s friendly and upbeat. I don’t often exercise or go out to meet new people, so this has been an amazing experience for me. Dancing and interacting with others—it’s a great way to connect.”

Hanoi Swing Dancing isn’t just for the locals. It’s become popular with the foreign community in Hanoi.

"Swing dancing is all about joy and connection—it doesn’t matter how skilled you are. The more you experience it, the more you’ll grow. You should try swing dancing in Hanoi. It's cheerful, energizing, and sociable activity," Polish expat Zuzanna who has attended several sessions said. 

For Canadian tourist Noah, swing dancing became an unexpected highlight of his first trip to Vietnam.

“I knew I’d be staying in Hanoi for a while, and I wanted to really enjoy the city and connect with more local people. So I decided to check out a swing event—just to see what it was like—and then I ended up coming back the next week because it was really nice,” said Noah.

Swing dancing is so much fun because it can be both intimate and lively, he said. “Sometimes it’s quiet, with a closer connection between partners, and other times it becomes this big, energetic party where everyone’s dancing fast and full of excitement.”

“What I love about social dancing is that you instantly share a connection with someone. Even just holding hands creates this unspoken form of communication—it’s something simple, but really meaningful,” Noah noted.