Highland destinations and live art

A large-scale art performance in Sa Pa. (Photo by LU MAI)

Making Indigenous Culture a Driving Force

In November 2025, two live art programs “Thien” and “Dance under the Moon” took place in Sa Pa. In the sounds of the panpipes, flutes, Pao Dung dances and the magical space of San Quan, the beauty of the culture and beliefs of the ethnic groups in the highlands brought visitors into a vibrant space.

The idea for the two programs originated from the experiences and efforts to preserve the culture of the scriptwriter Ha Van Thang, former Director of the Department of Tourism of Lao Cai province. From his childhood days following his mother to every village, he felt the beauty and quintessence in the customs and practices of the ethnic groups in the highlands. When he grew up, as a cultural manager, he realized the need to fully, clearly, and flexibly convey the spirit, lifestyle, and folk knowledge of the Dao, H'Mong, Tay, Giay, and Xa Pho ethnic groups.

Mr. Thang nurtured the idea of creating works of art so that the community itself becomes the subject, telling the stories of its people through the language of theater, music , dance, light and modern technology. "Dance under the Moon" is the first program launched in 2023 on the occasion of the 120th anniversary of Sa Pa tourism with traditional dances staged based on the lives and beliefs of ethnic communities in the mystical mist.

The initial success inspired the desire to continue exploiting, honoring and spreading local culture. The program "Thieng" was born, aiming at the spiritual depth and identity of the Red Dao community. The program was built on the foundation of rituals, folk performances, synthesized music and traditional dances, while integrating modern technology, such as: 3D mapping, stage arrangements... creating an impressive visual space while still respecting the original culture. Director Dang Xuan Truong, who accompanied the implementation of "Thieng", said: "Cultural preservation is truly meaningful when the subject himself is performed in his own religious space". The two programs, both magnificent and rich in humanity, helped compatriots, domestic and international tourists deeply feel the beauty of mountain culture, national pride and community vitality.

To carry out the two large-scale programs mentioned above, the crew spent many days and months working with artisans and local people to ensure that every detail, from music, dance, rituals to costumes, truly reflected the culture of the highland people.

Chao Lao Ta, a young man of the Red Dao ethnic group who has been "enlightened" and participated in the live performance in the "Thien" program, emotionally shared: "For many years now, I have seen my ethnic culture gradually fading away, there are many reasons, but one of them is that young people do not fully understand the good and the beauty, so they easily ignore it or consider it a nuisance. Current programs help us look back and be more proud of our heritage." He said that rituals such as: finding land, praying for rain, lighting fires, enlightment... are all sacred in life and when connected by the language of the stage, lights, and music, they become even more intimate.

“The space created is very different, grand but still our life. I didn’t expect familiar things could be so beautiful,” he said.

For May Vy, who took on the role of narrator in a program, there was also an unforgettable experience. A few months ago, during the harvest season, the scriptwriter and director brought the script to the commune to ask the villagers to research and prepare. Only a truly dedicated person would accept the offer because the villagers' production work is very busy and difficult. She called the scriptwriter and director "teacher" and proudly said: "Not everyone can participate, only those who love culture can do it. The teacher said so, so we feel very honored."

The elaborate, meticulous journey

From idea to reality, live art programs are a journey full of meticulousness and perseverance, requiring harmonious coordination between artists, ethnic communities and flexible application of technology. The crew had to face the unique challenges of Sa Pa when it rained, had dense fog, and suddenly dropped in temperature. Tons of lighting, sound and 3D mapping equipment were transported from Hanoi to the highlands, installed for many days in the cold rain, every technical detail was carefully checked, ensuring the performance space was safe and visually effective. The artisans were considered cultural arbiters, checking every detail: costumes, props, dances, practices... so that the details were not distorted, losing their sacredness.

Art shows like “Thieng” and “Dance under the Moon” are typical examples of how local culture can be combined with modern art and technology to create a vivid and profound experience for the community. According to scriptwriter Ha Van Thang, a live performance program needs to focus on three basic elements: cultural subject, script and performance form.

Director Dang Xuan Truong added that the people and folk artists directly participating in telling stories about the highland people not only help preserve the original cultural values, but also create empathy and pride. In terms of the script and artistic layout, it needs to be delicately designed, respecting the original ritual, effectively conveying the aesthetic message and visual experience to the audience.

“Programs need to be built with a sustainable vision, overcoming individual thinking to develop into a cultural dissemination mechanism. Only when implemented respectfully, creatively and in partnership with the community can art blend naturally into culture, promoting the development of highland tourism,” said director Dang Xuan Truong.

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