A selection of noteworthy artistic and cultural events that will take place in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

HANOI

PERFORMANCE

‘Lang Toi’ (My Village) by Lune Production

6 pm, April 11 and 15

Vietnam Tuong Theatre

51A Duong Thanh Street, Hoan Kiem district

Lang Toi (My Village) is a delicate merge of tradition and innovation, where the poetic beauty of Northern Vietnam’s village life is presented through a new cirque approach.

Farming, the building activities, traditional games, and lifestyle of the Northern villagers are recreated by ancestral bamboo props, breath-taking cirque and acrobatics performances, and rhythmic dance, to distinct folk music from more than 20 musical instruments.

Ticket prices: VND 630,000- VND 1,050,000

A Night of Concert and Contemporary Dance “Changing Seasons”

8 pm, April 11 and 12

Hanoi Opera House

1 Trang Tien Street, Hoan Kiem district

You are invited to a night of concert and contemporary dance featuring the participation of Meritorious Artists Tran Ly Ly and Nguyen Hong Phong, alongside members of the Symphony Orchestra and Choir of the Vietnam National Opera & Ballet.

Ticket prices: VND 200,000 – VND 300,000 – VND 400,000 – VND 500,000 – VND 600,000

EXHIBITION

Exhibition “Flowers and Women”

Vicas Art Studio

32 Hao Nam Street, Dong Da district

The exhibition display artworks of seven female Vietnamese artists who paint flowers and women – symbols of femininity: Lam Na, Nguyen Thanh Huong, Le Thuy, Dinh Mai Thu Trang, To Ngoc Thao, Nguyen My and Nguyen Lan Huong.

The total of 42 paintings presented in this exhibition intuitively reflect the aesthetic perception and views of the artists on society and ethics, as well as their thoughts and desire for gender equality.

Photo exhibition “Midway” by Duy Phuong

Institut Français de Hanoi – L’Espace

24 Trang Tien Street, Hoan Kiem district

The exhibition “Midway” by photographer Duy Phuong records the tangled emotions that have been born out of the urbanisation process in Vietnam.

Exhibition “Mother and Nature”

Vietnamese Women’s Museum

36 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Hoan Kiem District,

The exhibition “Mother and Nature” showcases paintings of women in natural settings by artist Van Duong Thanh, which were created with a combination of Vietnamese and Western techniques.

Photography Exhibition “Fall & Release” by Thomas Dessein

Ke Quan

81 Xuan Dieu street, Tay Ho District

The expression “Fall & Release” refers to a training and studying method common in contemporary dance.

In his works, the artist tried to rediscover, through the figure of the fall, this space in between the causes and consequences of a movement, where space and time is undefined and the body forgets itself to give the viewer the most absurd beauty.

HO CHI MINH CITY

PERFORMANCE

The Mist by Lune Production

6:00 pm, April 15

Ho Chi Minh City Opera House

7 Cong Truong Lam Son, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1

The Mist tells the story of Southern Vietnamese farming life, expressed through neo-classic and contemporary dance performed by skilled artists.

Using rice cultivation as a metaphor to appreciate the farmers’ dedication, from the misty dawn in the fields and the hardship and will power to rise up from the humble muddy soil and brace storms, until the moment they arrive joyously like shining pearls at harvest.

The Mist is an hour of emotions, with a myriad of ups and downs, painted by sensational live music, splendid visuals, and colorful lighting effects.

Ticket prices: VND630,000 – VND1,050,000- VND1,470,000

A O Show by Lune Production

6:00 pm every day, except Sunday

Ho Chi Minh City Opera House

7 Cong Truong Lam Son, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1

The A O Show features optical illusions and impressive acrobatics, paired with traditional music performances by a troupe of talented local artists.

Known as the Cirque du Soleil of Vietnam (minus the flashy outfits), this live show depicts the transition of rural Vietnam into today’s modern landscape, using props such as giant woven baskets, scaffolding, bamboo canes, and ropes.

Price range: VND630,000 - VND1,470,000

EXHIBITION

Exhibition “8♡” by Truc-Anh

Galerie Quynh

118 Nguyen Van Thu Street, District 1

For his third solo exhibition at the gallery, Truc-Anh tells a complex and nuanced story of transformation and awakening.

The title of the show exemplifies these dynamics, as a reference to the video games of Truc-Anh’s childhood, while also alluding to metaphysical dimensions.

In particular, the symmetrical number eight – representing a perfect loop and infinity – appears in many of the works, while references to rebirth, healing and impermanence interspersed with images of the ego, vanity and conceit are also prevalent.

Exhibition “In One’s Breath – Nothing Stands Still” by Tuan Mami

The Factory Contemporary Arts Centre

15 Nguyen U Di, Thao Dien, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City

The exhibition is Hanoi-based artist Tuấn Mami’s first-ever solo show in Ho Chi Minh City.

The project is inspired by the ancient Muong epic ‘De Dat De Nuoc’ (‘The Birth of Soil and Water’), from which emerges a belief that there is spirituality in all beings, that the creation of the world is constantly in a state of chaos where humans struggle to cohabit harmoniously with other creatures, and especially with themselves.

Tickets: VND35,000 - VND25,000 (with appropriate student ID) - free for children under 16 (with appropriate ID)

Nhan Dan/Hanoigrapevines