In Pictures: The “cultural feast” recreates hundreds of years of ups and downs in Hoi An

The "Hoi An Memories" show, which debuted on March 18, 2018, and was previously showcased at Times Square in New York City, is one of the largest outdoor real-life performances in the world, featuring over 500 actors on a 25,000 square metre stage.
An overview of the show.
An overview of the show.

According to the Vietnam Records Organisation, "Hoi An Memories" is the first and largest real-life outdoor performance in the country. The show has attracted millions of viewers and has significantly contributed to promoting the image of Hoi An to both domestic and international tourists.

The show's main concept is rooted in the traditional Ao Dai (Vietnamese traditional long dress), and through modern stage techniques, it takes the audience on a special journey back to Hoi An in the 16th and 17th centuries, to explore the rich and unique historical and cultural events.

The programme is divided into five parts, lasting about 60 minutes in total, including "Birth," "Wedding," "Lights and the Sea," "Integration," and "Ao Dai". These segments depict a bustling, culturally diverse, yet peaceful and poetic Hoi An, where the people are united and deeply patriotic.

A Hoi An woman recounts historical and folk cultural stories.

A Hoi An woman recounts historical and folk cultural stories.
The people of Hoi An are building houses, nurturing the first seeds of life.

The people of Hoi An are building houses, nurturing the first seeds of life.
Life here originates from the very familiar material of bamboo.

Life here originates from the very familiar material of bamboo.
Actors reenact daily fishing scenes.

Actors reenact daily fishing scenes.
A reenactment introduces the culture of the Champa people.

A reenactment introduces the culture of the Champa people.
The graceful and charming image of Princess Huyen Tran appears in the artistic programme.

The graceful and charming image of Princess Huyen Tran appears in the artistic programme.
Champa group's King Che Man takes his wife to the palace with the most solemn ceremonies.

Champa group's King Che Man takes his wife to the palace with the most solemn ceremonies.
From here, the relationship between the two countries became closer and more bonded.

From here, the relationship between the two countries became closer and more bonded.
The opening image of the third part is themed "The Lamp and the Sea."

The opening image of the third part is themed "The Lamp and the Sea."
The scene depicts the steadfast and faithful love between the fisherman and the woman who carries the lamp to the shore to wait daily.

The scene depicts the steadfast and faithful love between the fisherman and the woman who carries the lamp to the shore to wait daily.
When her lover returned, she had turned to stone, becoming an eternal lighthouse.

When her lover returned, she had turned to stone, becoming an eternal lighthouse.
Through many ups and downs, Hoi An gradually became a prosperous and bustling trading port in Southeast Asia. True to its name, the highlight of the fourth part, themed “Integration”.

Through many ups and downs, Hoi An gradually became a prosperous and bustling trading port in Southeast Asia. True to its name, the highlight of the fourth part, themed “Integration”.
In that context, the people of Hoi An continue to work diligently, preserving a lifestyle closely connected with long-standing cultural traditions.

In that context, the people of Hoi An continue to work diligently, preserving a lifestyle closely connected with long-standing cultural traditions.
The traditional Ao Dai is the main image in the fifth part.

The traditional Ao Dai is the main image in the fifth part.
The image of Chua Cau (Japanese Bridge) appears in the programme.

The image of Chua Cau (Japanese Bridge) appears in the programme.
Despite many ups and downs, the pure beauty has been carefully preserved by the people of Hoi An.

Despite many ups and downs, the pure beauty has been carefully preserved by the people of Hoi An.
The future generations will continue to pass on and spread the image of the Ao Dai for all time.

The future generations will continue to pass on and spread the image of the Ao Dai for all time.
NDO/Photo: Linh Phan

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