Hanoi Trip Overview
Highlights:
Vietnam’s Must-see Outdoor Cultural Spectacle
• Explores the deep-rooted culture of northern Vietnam
• Drawing upon the rich history of the Red River Delta provinces
• Sharing northern Vietnamese tradition from a contemporary perspective
The Story immerges in history and culture
• The stage occupies a space close to Chua Thay, one of the oldest Buddhist pagodas in Vietnam
• The audience watches the performance to the backdrop of the pagoda
Real People, Real Performer
These local farmers know the story of countryside dwelling – farming, fishing, and festivals – better than anyone. It is their story to tell…”
• The performance does not employ professional performers
• All the performers are locals, trained specifically for the spectacle
• Each performer has undergone a rigorous 1-year training program
This is more than just a show – it’s an experience.
Additional Info
Duration: 3 hours
Starts: Hanoi, Vietnam
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Hanoi Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Hanoi, Vietnam, Vietnam
Highlights:
Vietnam’s Must-see Outdoor Cultural Spectacle
• Explores the deep-rooted culture of northern Vietnam
• Drawing upon the rich history of the Red River Delta provinces
• Sharing northern Vietnamese tradition from a contemporary perspective
The Story immerges in history and culture
• The stage occupies a space close to Chua Thay, one of the oldest Buddhist pagodas in Vietnam
• The audience watches the performance to the backdrop of the pagoda
Real People, Real Performer
These local farmers know the story of countryside dwelling – farming, fishing, and festivals – better than anyone. It is their story to tell…”
• The performance does not employ professional performers
• All the performers are locals, trained specifically for the spectacle
• Each performer has undergone a rigorous 1-year training program
This is more than just a show – it’s an experience.
The Quintessence of Tonkin invites you to go through the gate of our ancient Vietnamese village and tells you the story of thousand years of literature in one hour.
The Show
The Show draws inspiration from the spiritual history of the nearby Thay Pagoda telling the story of the pagoda’s founding by venerable monk Tu Dao Hanh, and explains the ancient union between religion and the monarchy.
Years in the making and with hundreds of performers, an interactive stage, state-of-the-art technology, and a stunning setting, this live spectacle is an unmissable highlight of any trip to Hanoi
The Story
You will experience six aspects of the cultural Quintessence of Tonkin: Poetry, Buddhism, Nostalgia, Music & Painting, Joy & Festivities.
Not only opening up the cultural space of the northern delta with people’s daily life activities, the play also shows the audience the best of the water puppetry art with the story of the venerable monk Tu Dao Hanh and the history of the ancient Thang Long royal palace.
The Performers
There are two groups of performers in this show: local families of farmers, bringing their experience and showcasing their lives to the audiences, and a young team of talented Students from the Hanoi College of Dance, bringing youth and energy to the stage.
The Theater
The theater itself is an engineering masterpiece. The natural lake was transformed into a stage, including a state-of-the-art hydrothermal system that raises the 15-ton Thuy Dinh pagoda from under the water in just under a minute. As the Thay Mountain composes the background of the scenery, we also had to develop a unique illumination system to light up the hills, 1.5km away, using 40 lamps of 1500 watts!
The Costumes
The costumes are made of traditional patterns and raw materials — silk and cotton. They are all made onsite, and in order to faithfully illustrate our history and culture, were produced under the supervision of a historian and multiple artisans.
