September 16-22: “The Quintessence of Tonkin” show in Hanoi

A selection of noteworthy artistic and cultural events to take place in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

September 16-22: “The Quintessence of Tonkin” show in Hanoi

HANOI

PERFORMANCE

The Quintessence of Tonkin

7pm on September 17, 19, 21

Baara Land Culture and Entertainment Complex

Sai Son Commune, Quoc Oai District,

Drawing inspiration from the spiritual history of the nearby Thay Pagoda, the 60-minute live spectacle tells the story of the pagoda founded by the venerable monk Tu Dao Hanh and the history of the ancient Thang Long royal palace.

Arranged on an interactive stage with the support of state-of-the-art technology and a stunning setting, the show features an array of traditional art forms and ritual practices from the northern delta, including Ca Tru (ceremonial singing), folklore melodies, Quan Ho (love duet singing), Hau Dong (mediumship ritual), and water puppetry.

Ticket prices: VND800,000- VND900,000 – VND1,200,000

Music show with Quyen Van Minh

8pm every night

Binh Minh Jazz Club

1 Trang Tien Street (behind the Hanoi Opera House)

Performances are held nightly by Binh Minh Jazz Club with the participation of renowned saxophonist Quyen Van Minh.

EXHIBITION

Exhibitions “In the City” and “Long Lasting Dreams”

Vincom Center for Contemporary Art (VCCA)

B1 - R3, Vincom Mega Mall Royal City

72A Nguyen Trai Street, Thanh Xuan District,

“Long Lasting dreams” consists of 9 paintings on canvas – the latest works of Bui Quoc Khanh, created in 2019. The themes include social criticism, cultural, environmental, educational issues, and a visual language influenced by pop-art and graphic design, Bui Quoc Khanh’s paintings depict a vibrant space overflowed popular metaphorical images of from ancient times to the modern age, from the West to the East.

“In the City” is Doan Xuan Tung’s first solo exhibition, showcasing 12 works using acrylic and newspaper as a medium on canvas. The exhibition focuses on two main storylines: on the one hand, the daily life of city migrant workers, on the other hand, the lives of the emerging middle class – enjoying the utility of new residence areas.

Exhibition “Turning into Butterflies”

Korean Cultural Center (KCC)

49 Nguyen Du street, Hai Ba Trung district

“Turning into Butterflies” is made up of installation works created with approximately 1,300 paper butterflies made by nearly 1,300 children and young people including those with disabilities around the world – from the Republic of Korea (RoK), the US, to Africa, Indonesia, Europe; about 100 artworks of disabled and autistic students from Vietnam’s Binh Minh Special School; and nearly 20 artworks by Ahn Yun Mo and 5 RoK artists with disabilities.

The exhibition is part of the project “Turning into Butterflies” initiated worldwide since 2013 by RoK artist Ahn Yun Mo with disabled children and young people.

HO CHI MINH CITY

PERFORMANCE

Teh Dar: Vietnamese Tribal Culture

6pm on September 16, 17, 19, 20 and 21

Ho Chi Minh City Opera House

7 Cong Truong Lam Son, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1

‘Teh Dar: Vietnamese Tribal Culture features a vibrant display of circus arts, aerial acrobatics, and tribal music within an hour-long performance.

The show highlights the lives of tribal families from the southwest highlands of Vietnam, using UNESCO-listed percussion instruments, such as Vietnamese gongs and buffalo horns, as well as vibrant costumes, and a stunning bamboo cirque depicting various landscapes and creatures from tribal folklores.

Price range: VND630,000 - VND1,470,000

EXHIBITION

Exhibition “Dancing with Cherry Blossoms”

Craig Thomas Gallery

27i Tran Nhat Duat Street, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1,

You are invited to the exhibition “Dancing with Cherry Blossoms”, a solo exhibition of paintings by Saigon-based artist Lieu Nguyen Huong Duong.