Ionah Show – the best entertainment show in Hanoi
Considered the Cirque du Soleil of Vietnam, Ionah (“Hanoi” spelled backwards) is where the old fairy tales are restaged by modern theater arts. The show blends perfectly the arts of circus, visual arts, hip hop and belly dance into multi performances in its 90-minute period. The show’s novelty lies in its advanced stage effects and colorful costumes, adding volume to the so-called wonder-world journey.
Water Puppet Show – the unique cultural experience
You probably have heard of this show, it has gained much popularity in the world. However, compared to watching somewhere else, enjoy water puppet show right in the heart of its homeland will bring you a truly Vietnamese cultural experience, and of course, a more affordable one.
Legend has it that, this show was born out of the social life of villagers in Northern Vietnam from around 1000 years ago. However, the heart of the show has not changed much, its themes and stage setting. The stage still keeps a frugal appearance with old pavillion in the middle of a shallow pond, which developed from the waist-deep water stage of harvested paddies. Meanwhile, the theme still centrals around rural Vietnamese traditions like fishing, rice harvesting, planting and traditional tales and legends. Watching one of these shows, you will get to not only observe the life of people, but also enjoy the artistic side of these farmers – puppeteers
Four Palaces – an authentic Vietnamese spiritual practice
Tứ Phủ (Four Palaces) is the typical example of the Vietnamese belief in the worships of Mother Goddess. Devoted to four female deities of the nature including Mother Goddess of Heaven, Forest, Water, and Earth, this belief was established in the 16th century as an alternative to Confucianism.
The Four Palaces show portrays the rituals of spiritual possession, in which the mediums will wear elaborate costumes, make offerings to the goddesses, perform folk dances, and pray the spirits to descend and possess their bodies. The mediums believe that these rituals will bless them with health, happiness and good luck. Following each chapter of the ceremonies, the show will bring you to different level of emotions, gradually heighten to the final chapter. Vividly and honestly performed rituals, traditional folk melodies, evocative singing all harmonize to bring the audience a rich sensory experience.
My village – a poetic Vietnamese village
Lang toi (My village) is a delicate combination of tradition and innovation, where poetic beauty of Northern Vietnamese village’s life is presented under new circle approach. The iconic bamboo, breathtaking cirque and acrobatics are in the perfect harmony with exotic folklore instruments. From these, traditional activities and lifestyle of indigenous villagers are recreated vividly on the stage.
Lang Toi began the first world tour from 2009 to 2012, until it landed back to our home country, setting at two of the most notable theaters in Hanoi. Complemented by traditional elements such as bamboo props, traditional cloth, crafts as well as folk music of Vietnam, this show brings back poetic memoirs of Northern Vietnam’s rural life.