Hon Viet Traditional Show

The Hon Viet show, translated to the ‘Soul of Vietnam’ in English, is a traditional performing arts event portraying the culture and national identity of the Quang Nam region of Vietnam. The show is mainly based on the ‘Tuong’ art form, an ancient Vietnamese opera with Chinese influences. It occurs at the Nguyen Hien Dinh Tuong Theater at 155 Phan Chau Trinh in Da Nang.

The one-hour show usually has seven acts bringing alive different intriguing stories of Vietnamese and Chinese folklore through Tuong's signature movements, costumes, and make-up. You will hear music played on the lithophone, a musical instrument made of stone. It is the oldest instrument in Vietnam and one of the most ancient ones in the history of humankind. Visitors can also try out the costumes and masks to take pictures, try painting the masks themselves or visit the gallery room at the theater to glimpse the art form’s history. The ‘Tuong’ art form existed after a Chinese actor named Ly Nguyen Cat was imprisoned during Vietnam’s war with the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty. It was later popularised by Vietnamese artist Dao Duy Tu under the patronage of the Nguyen Dynasty.