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This is the result of two years of nurturing and developing the idea, and an equal amount of time spent on meticulous preparation and staging by the program's producers and the production team.
The live performance is staged in a performance space spanning 25,000 square meters.2- the core of the Hoi An Impression Theme Cultural Park, which will also open next April. The park is built encompassing an island floating in the middle of the Hoai River, spanning the Cam Chau and Cam Nam wards. The outdoor stage is designed for shows that can accommodate up to 3,300 spectators simultaneously, and isThe Vietnam Record Organization (VietKings) recognizes this.To be"The largest outdoor stage in Vietnam".
The show is a "feast" of sound and light with state-of-the-art technology.
Lasting over an hour, the live performance transported viewers back to ancient Hoi An, a bustling port city that played a crucial role on the "maritime silk road" from the 16th century to modern-day Hoi An. Five acts recreated the history, culture, and ups and downs that have passed through this ancient city, one of the most famous cultural heritage sites in Central Vietnam.
The soul of the show is created by over 500 carefully selected and trained dancers from all three regions of the country. They have contributed to telling the story of Hoi An through dance, mimicking the characteristic activities of the people of Hoi An and Central Vietnam from the 16th century. Instructor Thanh Hang, the choreographer of the show, said that the dance performances are mainly a combination of neoclassical dance and ballet.
A dazzling and charming Hoi An
The entire story is "told" by the central character, a weaving girl, with the rhythm of her loom filled with emotion and sentiment, which is also the rhythm of time. There, time flows through the footsteps and the bicycle wheels of 100 girls in traditional Vietnamese dresses, gliding past gently yet hauntingly.
The show immerses the audience in a space rich with traditional culture, featuring images of bamboo, river life, weddings, Cham culture, and the traditional ao dai dress…
Bamboo is used as a prop to create beautiful and impressive visuals for the show.
Interwoven into the performance is a blend of orchestral and folk music, with the sounds of the bầu and tranh zithers serving as the main "background" for the story of Hoi An's memories. The live performance becomes more captivating and dynamic with the interaction of modern sound and lighting technology. All of this reveals an ancient, small Hoi An with an infinitely expansive scope, a living space of diverse cultures, and a meeting point of East and West.
Charming Ao Dai
Live-action shows are a relatively new art form in Vietnam."Memories of Hoi An" is the second live performance show in Vietnam, following "The Quintessence of Northern Vietnam" in Sai Son, Hanoi. It is highly anticipated by the producers.This will contribute to changing the nighttime appearance of Hoi An.
Many domestic viewers may be slightly surprised by this art form, as they are not yet familiar with it. Nevertheless, the show is a commendable effort, offering viewers "the feeling of ancient Hoi An while living in a modern Hoi An setting," as historian Duong Trung Quoc commented after watching the performance.
There are concerns that the location of the Hoi An Impression Theme Park, where the show is held, is quite close to the Old Town. This could affect the preservation of this cultural heritage, especially since the show attracts a large audience every night, as expected by the producers.
Article: Thuong Tran | Photos: Provided by the Organizing Committee
