Top 5 Cultural Shows in Vietnam: A Journey into Tradition

The fairytale-like land of Vietnam is enchanting not just for its postcard-perfect landscapes, stunning coastline with pristine beaches, historical heritage but also for its intriguing and incredibly unique culture. Discovering the fantastic culture is a part and parcel of any trip to Vietnam. Immersing into the traditional culture of Vietnam is a great way to enrich your travel experience. Take a look of must-see cultural shows in Vietnam for a true glimpse of the country’s culture.

1. The Quintessence of Tonkin - An Amazing Cultural Spectacle

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The Quintessence of Tonkin is a unique cultural show which is newly opened in Hanoi in 2017. According to CNN Travel, this must-see cultural spectacle “has all the makings of a world-class performance” offering the audience a special chance to learn more about Vietnamese history, culture, and heritage. Featuring live music, an interactive water stage, dramatic light show, and water puppetry, it’s undoubtedly one of the most exceptional Vietnamese performances.

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The open-air rice field along with a typical village and the spectacular view of Chua Thay Mountain creates a perfect setting for this stunning spectacle. The audience will witness different fields of arts from music, painting, poetry, architecture, culture to leisure activities reflecting the religious belief and the daily life of the people of the Northern Delta.

The Quintessence of Tonkin welcomes you to go through the gate of an ancient village with a duration of one hour telling you the story of a thousand years of Vietnamese. All the factors from the show, the story, the performers to the theatre come to perfection which brings you’re the ultimate and unique Vietnam's cultural experience. The show will bring you back to an ancient time which let you live in the old countryside of Vietnam, immerse in the sacred atmosphere of the land with thousands of years of literature. This fantastic spectacle is more than just a show; it is a real experience of long-lasting agriculture of Vietnam.

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For those who book the show 2 days in advance, there is complimentary transportation from Hanoi

Pick-up: 05:30 PM from the Hanoi Tower, 49 Hai Ba Trung Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
Drop-off: at approximately 10:00 PM (at the Hanoi Tower).
Location: Da Phuc Village (near Thay Pagoda), Sai Son Commune, Quoc Oai District, Hanoi
Opening hours: 07:30 PM - 08:30 PM
Ticket Price: from USD 35

2. Water Puppet Show - A Unique Vietnamese Art

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Puppetry, locally known as Mua roi nuoc, has a long history, as long as 4000 years in many parts of the year. However, when it comes to water puppetry, it is something different in Vietnamese culture. As the name implies, water puppetry is a special show in which puppets dance and move along the water controlled by the skillful hands of puppeteers hidden behind a split-bamboo screen. Water puppetry is a popular tradition that is very close to Vietnamese people’s hearts as it’s not just a source of entertainment, it’s the culture of a long-existing civilization.

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Originating from the northern region of Vietnam, this unique art form got its fame on stages all over the country. In Hanoi, you can see this traditional performance in the original place of Thang Long Water Puppet Theater- one of the first and foremost Theaters and Live Shows in Vietnam. The show incorporates puppet, dancing performance, folk tales and music using traditional musical instruments like horns, drums, flutes that offer tourists the liveliest experience of Vietnamese culture.

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Opening hours: Daily 03:00 PM, 04:10 PM, 05:20 PM, 06:30 & 08:00 PM
Location: 57B, Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Ticket Price: From USD 4.5

3. My Village Show

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My Village, also known as Lang Toi, is one of the most exotic shows in Vietnam depicting the breathtaking beauty of Vietnamese village life. This stunning show is performed by amazingly talented artists in the incredibly airy space of Hanoi’s architectural landmark- the Opera House. Amazing artists recreated the fascinating scenes of farming, building, local lifestyle and interesting traditional games through stunning acrobatics, juggling, and graceful contortion. Mind-blowing performances along with distinct live music from 20 different traditional musical instruments make the one-hour show an ideal treat filled with enjoyment and experience.

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Location: Hanoi Opera House, Trang Tien Street, 1, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Opening hours: 06:00 PM
Ticket Price: from USD 30

4. Hoi An Memories

The Hoi An Memories Show is an incredible spectacle originated from the ancient port town of Hoi An. This grand cultural performance takes you on a delightful journey exploring the four-hundred-year history of the town. With the participation of 500 actors, the show has attracted 500,000 visitors from far and wide.

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This incredible cultural show got a great number of good reviews from Tripadvisor. Many tourists go wow when witnessing the strong transformation of this little town from a small farming village to a vibrant tourist hub.

Apart from the magnificent setting, exquisite music, superb choreography, and top-notched lighting, the massive stage with the area of 25,000 m2 makes it the largest and most ambitious show in Vietnam.

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Enjoying the show is an enthralling experience that let you stay close to the timeless spirit and honored traditions of Vietnam. Hoi An Memories is not only a must-see Vietnam cultural show but also an awe-inspiring entertainment.

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Location: Con Hen (200 Nguyen Tri Phuong turn left), Cam Chau, Hoi An, Quang Nam
Opening hours: 07:30 - 08:45 PM
Ticket price: from USD 26

5. A O Show by Lune Production – An Impressive Live Show

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A O Show is definitely on your list of go-to destination in Ho Chi Minh City if you want to look for out-of-this-world experience of unique Vietnamese culture.

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The name “A O” comes from the word “Lang Pho” that means “village and city”. The show is a vibrant artistic performance which illustrates the charming beauty and the intriguing culture of Vietnam’s countryside life set in opposition to increasing development of the nation’s urban areas. Embraced by the graceful mix of theatrical art and contemporary dance along with delightful live music, A O Show captures the hidden charm of Vietnam’s beguiling culture.

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After the show, guests can mingle with the musicians, dancers, and artists while soaking in the fabulous French-style architecture of the remarkable Sai Gon Opera House.

Location: Saigon Opera House, 7 Cong Truong Lam Son, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 06:00 - 08:00 PM
Ticket price: from USD 28

Conclusion

The hidden gem of Vietnam is not just a destination to travel, it’s the idyllic cradle of long-lasting history and rich culture associated with the traditional lifestyle and customs of Vietnamese people. Gorge on a trip to Vietnam and immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of one of the most exotic destinations in the world. Hopefully, you have just got some great ideas of what to see in your future trip to Vietnam. If you want to have more information about the shows or any advice for your journey to Vietnam, please do not hesitate to contact us!