Tonkin Show – The Quintessence of Tonkin

The Quintessence of Tonkin (or Tonkin show) is the first “real-life performance” in Vietnam, with the participation of 250 performers, including 120 amateurs who are actually farmers in the day-life and from nearby villages. The show is performed entirely on the water with mini-scenes and properties moving flexibly with special techniques.

An Impressive scene in the show

This show is the sweet result of 10-year effort with non-stop working and development from the production team and inspired by the cultural art of peaceful old life of the Vietnamese and Buddhism story of Tu Van Hanh monk - one of the most respected masters of Vietnam Buddhism and the founder of Thay pagoda (the pagoda has hundreds of years of history and is one of the most popular pagodas in the North of Vietnam).

1. Vietnamese Old Life

Separated into different sections, the show remakes the most typical details of ancient Vietnam. As a country that developed from agriculture, the life of farmers is the factor that is exploited most in the show.

Throughout the program, the audiences will be explored the daily life of Vietnamese farmers with the stage of plant and harvest activities, crews of fishing boats, a countryside fair full of traders, hawkers on their bikes, the voice singing a lullaby from a mother, etc.

The Fishing Tools Hawkers 

Besides the daily farming life, the Tonkin show also brings a part of the ancient Thang Long Citadel from hundreds of years ago to its water stage with the scene of students with wooden book boxes and bamboo tents from different parts of the countries coming to the citadel for the most important examination in their life which decide their career in the near future.

After the examination, some candidates fail, a few can pass and only one of them becomes the valedictorian, which leads to the majestic scene of Thang Long royal palace with the ceremony to congratulate the valedictorian and the king gives him the dynasty apparel and a working position in the government.

A Student In The Examination 

2. Vietnamese Art

Traditional art is a must-using material for the show. The music used in the show was created with inspiration from Vietnam fork music with the melody from many types of traditional instruments such as Sao (flute), Ty Ba (Pipa), Dan Tranh (Zither), Dan Bau (Monochord), etc.

A Scene Inspired By To Nu Painting Set

Besides the background music, many scenes in the show were inspired by ancient Vietnamese idioms, proverbs, poetries, and even the famous fork painting set: Tranh To Nu, which includes 4 pictures painted of 4 ladies performing 4 different traditional instruments.

In addition, there will also be a short water puppet performance – the world-known interesting Vietnamese traditional folk art, to tell the audience a religious story about the Tu Van Hanh monk who created this special art.

Exceptional performance of experienced dancers

3. Vietnamese Festivals And Religious Life 

Vietnamese has plentiful religious life with different beliefs. Through the ancient culture of Northern Vietnam, there are 2 main beliefs: Buddhism and The Third Holy Mother & Mother Goddess.

Audiences will be witnessed the image of Tu Van Hanh monk covered by the gold light of Buddhism with a small copy of Thuy Dinh Pavilion at Thay Pagoda - where Tu Van Hanh was the abbot.

The Replica of Thuy Dinh Pavillion (Thay Pagoda)

The belief in The Third Holy Mother & Mother Goddess is assumed that come from the agricultural culture in Vietnam. For thousands of years, the farmers have believed that these saints are the ones who give them an affluent life by creating good weather for abundant crops. And this is also the reason for most of the festivals in the North of Vietnam as every year, in spring, after the Lunar New Year Eve, many Northern villages continuously organize their own festivals as a thank ceremony to the saints.

In the Tonkin show, audiences will have a chance to watch a typical part of The Third Holy Mother & Mother Goddess worship activities and festivals in the North of Vietnam.

Stunning dance depicts Vietnamese culture & old life

Gorgeous show with a harmonious mix of dance and light

• Capacity: around 2,500 audiences
• Duration: 19:30 - 20:30 (1 hour)
• Location: Near the Thay Pagoda - Da Phuc village, Sai Son commune, Quoc Oai district, Hanoi

Inside the amphitheater

Check out the public price of the Tonkin Show below:

Notes:

• Guests should arrive at the amphitheater at least 30 mins before the show starts to do check-in procedures
• It’s not allowed to smoke and bring food /beverage into the theater during the show
• Be noted that it’s strictly restricted using audio/video recording devices during the show
• The show is only available on every Saturday

The show is about 1-hour drive from Hanoi. Guests can reach it by car or taxi; however, as most of the drivers do not know exactly where the show is, there is a better choice for people who want to enjoy the Tonkin show - book a shuttle bus.

Each performance night, the show always offers a shuttle bus (a big modern 45-seat bus) for the audience at a low price:

• Price: 100,000 VND/person (~ USD $4.2)
• Pick -up hour: 16:30 - 17:10
• Starting point: Grand Plaza 117 Tran Duy Hung

Please note that the shuttle bus choice is only available for groups under 10 people. You should book the transfer at least 2 days in advance.

Hanoi Tower - The Meeting Point To Catch The Shuttle Bus To Tonkin Show

If you love art and culture, don’t forget to spend one night for Tonkin Show as it not only has the ability to bring you back to the old-time of Vietnam but also can take you near to the long-standing cultural values of the Northern Delta.

MinKJ

(Image source: Internet)