Bringing tuong to foreign tourists

The opera house is looking for ways to survive so that it can promote traditional Vietnamese art to foreign tourists, to attract visitors to the city and enrich their experience while they are there. For this reason the opera house has also built a museum and a gallery.
During the early days of 2009 the opera house has been filled with colorful bonnets and gowns and outstanding performances by enthusiastic artists. The performances have received high praise from Korean, Japanese and European visitors.
Meritorious artist Tran Dinh Sanh, director of the opera house, said the theater has hosted five pilot shows for foreign tourists. Each show lasts 30-40 minutes and features traditional Aspara, trinh tuong dances and ethic instrument concerts, as well as Cham ethnic songs and dramas.
The first show on January 14 attracted 175 visitors from the Republic of Korea. After the performance Cho Soo Yun, representative of a Korean Tourist Company, booked shows for future groups. Some of tourists suggested that the performances be translated into Korean language instead of only English, and others posed for photos with artists.
“They were surprised and interested” said Sanh, adding that the theater always tries to bring visitors and abundance of meaningful tuong art with traditional characters in harmony with stylized songs and dances. From now on the theater will host regular shows for tourists.
However, the opera house facilities have to be upgraded, from stage to lights and sound systems. A professional style must be developed to meet the demands of visitors as well as to keep adequate earnings for artists, said Sanh.
Nguyen Hien Dinh Opera House is located at 155 Phan Chu Trinh, Hai Chau District, Danang City. Tel: (0511) 561 291.