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At the launch ceremony, the Head of the Hanoi Relics and Scenic Spots Management Board, Nguyen Doan Van, stated: In 2022, the Hanoi City Party Committee issued Resolution No. 09-NQ/TU on the development of the cultural industry in the capital city for the period 2021-2025, with orientations to 2030 and a vision to 2045, aiming to maximize the potential, strengths, and cultural values that reflect the identity of the thousand-year-old capital city, turning those values into resources for the socio-economic development of the capital.
Delegates cut the ribbon to inaugurate the night tour product at Ngoc Son Temple.
“In implementing the city's policy of developing the cultural industry, we recognize that heritage, no matter how valuable, is still just a ‘resource.’ To create an attractive environment to draw tourists and maximize the value of heritage, we need to transform that heritage into a cultural product, thereby contributing to socio-economic development. To realize this understanding, the Management Board of Historical Sites and Scenic Spots has developed the ‘Ngoc Son - Mysterious Night’ experience program to cater to the experiential needs of the people and tourists,” Mr. Nguyen Doan Van expressed.
The program is divided into five main themes, corresponding to the distinct architectural areas of the Ngoc Son Temple complex, including: the Ceremony of bestowing the sacred calligraphy - at the Pen Tower area; the ritual of welcoming the spiritual energy of heaven and earth - at the The Huc Bridge and Dac Nguyet Pavilion area; the legend of King Le Loi returning the sword, taking place on the lake in front of Tran Ba Pavilion; the prayer for peace ceremony, taking place in the main temple area; visiting the exhibition room displaying the specimens of the Hoan Kiem turtle and sightseeing at the temple.
Artistic dance performance on The Huc Bridge
What sets this program apart from other Hanoi nighttime productions is the combination of the ancient architecture of the Ngoc Son Temple, a special national historical site, and the rituals and folk legends passed down at the site.
The program utilizes sound, lighting, and modern projection technology in combination with performances to convey traditional Vietnamese cultural values to visitors in a new way.
The sword-returning scene was elaborately staged.
Along with songs about Hanoi and artistic dances on The Huc Bridge, the program also recreated King Le's journey in a dragon boat to return the precious sword to the golden turtle. This performance captivated locals and tourists alike, not only because of its use of technology on the water but also because of its epic and mystical nature.
By participating in the experience program, tourists can immerse themselves in traditional Vietnamese folk cultural rituals.
The launch of the "Ngoc Son - Mysterious Night" experiential product contributes to enriching Hanoi's tourism offerings and is expected to boost the development of the capital's cultural industry. Following the launch night, the Hanoi Management Board of Historical Sites and Scenic Spots will begin welcoming guests to experience the program on weekday evenings from Monday to Friday. Each evening is expected to accommodate 60-70 guests.
Ngoc Son Temple, located within the Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple complex, is one of the most famous landmarks in Hanoi. Ngoc Son Temple is a monument showcasing the cultural syncretism of the Vietnamese people, with the worship of many different saints and deities. The most important of these is the national hero Hung Dao Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan. The temple's features, such as the Pen Tower, the Inkstone Platform, and the The Huc Bridge, have long been a source of pride for the people of Hanoi.
