Ha Long theater helps link Vietnamese traditional arts with wider world

Ha Long Traditional Arts Theater’s artists and musicians

Visitors to the northern border province of Quang Ninh province can enjoy the stunning, world-renowned vistas of the UNESCO-recognized Ha Long Bay, and take in unique works of architecture like those found on Yen Tu Mountain, or the Tra Co Communal House in Mong Cai city.

They can also learn more about Vietnamese culture by way of the performances put on by the Ha Long Traditional Arts Theater.

Set in a cozy space, the performances of chau van, a Vietnamese form of ritual singing, together with monochord solos and water puppet performances staged by the Ha Long Traditional Arts Theater have fully endeared themselves to the hearts of the audience.

Established two years ago, the Theater has become a prime destination for more than 1,000 visitors a day, often including foreigners.

Playing at 4.30, 5.30, and 7.30 p.m., the theater’s daily 40-minute shows recreate the picture of village life of northern coastal residents. The combination of the sets, the Cheo (popular opera) singing, the love duets, the folk songs, monochord solos and water puppet shows have given foreign visitors a better understanding of the unique characteristics of Vietnamese culture.

Li Jing from China’s Jiangxi province said, “The props, costumes, make-up, sound, lighting, and singing are all great. I was most impressed by the water puppet show, because I wasn’t able to get a true impression of it at home. Seeing it in person was awesome.”

The nearly 40 actors and musicians of the Ha Long Traditional Arts Theater are classically trained.

Pham Tien Doan, a young artist, said that audience support is encouraging for him and the entire troupe as they move forward in their career, adding, “As an artist, I’m inspired by the audience reaction to the water puppet show. It’s my wish to share the beauty of traditional Vietnamese art forms with audiences both at home and abroad.”

Theater Director Duong Van Quy said his company is trying to reach out and connect with audiences, striving to deliver their best performances every time.

“What we aim for is the extension of traditional Vietnamese art forms. We have combined modern theater, traditional song, dance, and instruments, and water puppetry with Vietnamese, English and Chinese languages so that visitors can understand the content. Over the past year, our performances have earned a big applause from visitors. We feel very proud to act as a bridge to help them better understand Vietnamese culture,” said Quy.
Source: VOV