Located about 25 km west of downtown Hanoi, The Quintessence of Tonkin is Vietnam's first real-life water stage show. Aiming to honor Vietnamese cultural beauty, the show blends traditional folklore elements with modern, creative performances, offering visitors an unforgettable experience.
How Many Ticket Types Are Available?
The Quintessence of Tonkin offers three ticket types:
- Silver: 400,000 VND/adult, 200,000 VND/child
- Gold: 450,000 VND/adult, 225,000 VND/child
- Platinum: 600,000 VND/adult, 300,000 VND/child
What Makes The Quintessence of Tonkin Special?
More than a simple performance, The Quintessence of Tonkin takes audiences on a cultural journey through Northern Vietnam's traditions, depicted via visuals, sounds, and emotions. The show features over 200 performers, blending traditional arts with advanced technologies, vividly recreating Red River Delta culture on a unique water stage, enhanced by cutting-edge lighting and traditional music.
1. A Perfect Blend of Tradition and Modernity
The show harmoniously combines ancient cultural elements like poetry, spirituality, and folk music with advanced lighting, sound, and 3D mapping technologies. This fusion offers the audience both the depth of Vietnamese traditions and a grand, immersive spectacle.
2. Unique Water Stage
The highlight is its 4,300 m² water stage, delicately designed to recreate Northern Vietnam's rural scenery. Water effects, lighting, and projections create a magical, lifelike backdrop. Traditional bamboo boats, rickety bridges, and scenes of daily rural life bring the performance to life.
3. Over 200 Professional Actors and Local Villagers
One distinctive feature is the participation of more than 200 performers, including local farmers. Their authentic gestures, dances, and lullabies convey the real essence of Northern Vietnam’s rural life, deeply moving the audience.
4. Six Scenes Depicting Northern Vietnamese Culture
Scene: Poetry
The opening scene portrays a peaceful Northern countryside, inspired by Nguyen Khuyen's poem "Autumn Fishing" and the folk song "Scooping Water at the Village Gate." Graceful young women dance around lotus ponds to the sounds of the flute and đàn bầu, creating a nostalgic and poetic atmosphere.
Scene: The Buddhist Realm
This mystical scene depicts Zen Master Tu Dao Hanh, founder of Thay Pagoda—one of Northern Vietnam's oldest and most renowned temples. Legend has it that he was a healer, farmer, and water puppetry teacher. The serene lotus garden, combined with mystical lighting and meditative music, creates a sacred, spiritual ambiance.
Scene: Nostalgia
This scene takes the audience back to the golden age of Thang Long Imperial Citadel. The stage comes alive with scholars traveling to exams, bustling examination grounds, ancient pavilions, and officials grading test papers. Accompanied by heroic music and modern lighting, the scene highlights Vietnam's long-standing educational tradition and respect for learning.
Scene: Music and Art
Inspired by Ho Xuan Huong's poem "The Four Beauties," this scene merges poetry, painting, and traditional music. Utilizing 3D mapping, four seasonal paintings appear over the dark lake, while four women play traditional instruments like đàn tranh, đàn bầu, bamboo flute, and đàn nhị, creating a unique symphony of past and present.
Scene: Joy and Prosperity
This vibrant scene showcases folk beliefs and daily rural life. The highlight is the Mother Goddess worship ritual, along with authentic portrayals of farming, fishing, and harvesting. Traditional dances combined with folk music create a vivid portrayal of the Red River Delta's simple yet meaningful lifestyle.
Scene: The Festival
The final scene captures the festive spirit of Northern Vietnamese villages, with colorful costumes, singing, folk dances, and games such as swinging, tug-of-war, and blindfolded goat catching. The show ends with the song "Please Stay," as a heartfelt farewell from the cast and locals to the audience.
How to Get There
Located just 30 minutes from central Hanoi, visitors can reach The Quintessence of Tonkin by various means of transportation.
1. Motorbike
Motorbikes are a convenient option, as roads to the venue are well-paved. You can use a navigation app for precise directions.
2. Car
Alternatively, taxis or private cars are ideal for families or groups, especially if you're unfamiliar with local routes.
Other Attractions in Hanoi
After enjoying the show, visitors can explore nearby attractions to further discover Hanoi’s rich cultural and natural beauty:
1. Temple of Literature
The Temple of Literature, built in 1070 under King Ly Thanh Tong, is Vietnam's first university. With ancient architecture and stone steles recording scholars' names, it's a must-visit for culture enthusiasts. The Temple of Literature by Night tour offers an immersive experience using 3D mapping, light, and sound, recreating Vietnam’s scholarly heritage and exam culture.
- Address: 58 Quoc Tu Giam St., Van Mieu Ward, Dong Da District, Hanoi
- Opening hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM daily
- Night tour: 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM (Wed, Sat, Sun)
- Ticket price: from 199,000 VND
2. Thang Long Water Puppet Show
Thang Long Water Puppet Show showcases traditional Vietnamese water puppetry, originating over 1,000 years ago. The show reenacts village life, customs, and legends like Saint Giong and dragon dances, accompanied by folk music and masterful puppet control.
- Address: 57B Dinh Tien Hoang St., Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
- Opening hours: 7:00 AM - 8:30 PM daily
- Ticket price: from 126,336 VND
3. Lotus Water Puppet Show
Lotus Water Puppet Show is another cultural gem. Located in central Hanoi, it features vibrant water puppet performances portraying rural life and folklore, accompanied by folk instruments and captivating lighting effects.
- Address: 16 Le Thai To St., Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
- Showtimes: 4:00 PM, 5:15 PM, 6:30 PM
- Ticket price: from 103,862 VND
Important Notes When Attending The Quintessence of Tonkin
To fully enjoy the show, arrive at least 30 minutes early to check in and find your seat. As it’s held outdoors on a water stage, check the weather forecast and bring a light jacket or raincoat if necessary. Wear comfortable clothing and flat shoes for easy movement. Avoid using flash photography or filming during the performance to respect the cast and fellow audience members. After the show, take some time to explore nearby cultural attractions for a more complete Northern Vietnam experience.
Thanks to meticulous investment and preparation, The Quintessence of Tonkin offers breathtaking performances that vividly present Vietnam’s cultural and historical beauty from a modern perspective. It's truly a weekend destination not to be missed for anyone visiting Hanoi.
Besides The Quintessence of Tonkin, Traveloka offers countless attractions tickets and tours for you to fully explore Hanoi. Start your journey today!
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