“Hoi An Memories” – A spectacular live show recreating the soul of the ancient town

Hoi An not only attracts tourists by its ancient and quiet beauty but also captivates people with its unique cultural and artistic experiences. Among them, the Hoi An Memories show stands out as a special highlight, bringing a journey to explore the history and culture of Hoi An through modern live art. With the perfect combination of light, music, dance and magnificent scenery, the show has become a must-see destination for anyone visiting the ancient town.

1. Some features of the show "Hoi An Memories"

Hoi An Memories Show is held at Hoi An Impression Theme Park (Photo source: Collected)

• Location: Open-air theater at Hoi An Impression Theme Park
• Show time: 20:00 - 21:00 daily (except Tuesday)

Hoi An Memories Show is known as the most spectacular live performance in Vietnam, held at the large-scale outdoor stage in Hoi An Impression Theme Park. With the participation of more than 500 professional actors, along with a modern lighting and sound system, each scene is elaborately staged, vividly recreating the unique historical and cultural periods of Hoi An ancient town.
Viewers will be guided through the flow of time – from the early days to the prosperous trading port, through each dance, costume and emotional stage movement. More than just a performance, this is a unique cultural experience, helping you to understand more deeply the beauty, depth and value of Hoi An land.
The show debuted on March 18, 2018 and still holds the record for the largest outdoor live show in the world with a stage area of up to 25,000m² and a length of nearly 1km.

2. Instructions on how to get to Hoi An Impression Theme Park

The theater where the Hoi An Memories show is held is located in the Hoi An Impression Park area - a prominent cultural and entertainment venue along the Hoai River. For your convenience, you can choose one of the two following popular ways to get there:

A corner of Hoi An Impression Park (Photo source: Collected)

2.1. Travel by boat

One of the most interesting and popular ways to get to Hoi An Impression Theme Park is by boat. You just need to go to the pier at 59 Nguyen Quang Khai, then wait for the boat to take you to the opposite bank – where the theater is located – completely free of charge. This is also a great experience to feel the poetic beauty of Hoi An while gently drifting along the Hoai River.

2.2. Travel by road

If you are not used to taking a boat or want to walk and enjoy the scenery, the walking route to Hoi An Impression Theme Park is also very convenient. From the center of the old town, you cross Cam Nam bridge, continue about 200m to 200 Nguyen Tri Phuong, then turn left and go straight to get there. This route is not too far and is suitable for walking and exploring the local life.

3. Hoi An's development journey is emotionally recreated in the show Hoi An Memories

The wedding was extremely grand, showing the wealth and prosperity of Hoi An at one time (Photo source: Collected)

3.1. Origin – Hoi An memories from the early days of village establishment

The show Hoi An Memories opens with a picture of the simple life of a young family: the wife diligently working at the loom, the husband working in the golden rice fields. The scenery is filled with love for the countryside, like a slow-motion film taking viewers back to the early days when Hoi An was still wild, starting to build its own identity.
From daily activities such as plowing, fishing to community life, all are vividly staged thanks to modern sound and lighting systems and top-notch performing arts. Those moments depict a rustic, peaceful Hoi An imbued with Central Vietnam 's agricultural culture.

3.2. Royal wedding – Memories of Hoi An during the Champa period

Recreating the royal wedding between Princess Huyen Tran and King Che Man, the show Hoi An Memories took viewers back in time to a time when Cham and Vietnamese cultures were deeply intertwined. The wedding ceremony not only demonstrated the harmony between the two peoples, but also demonstrated the princess’ role as a “cultural ambassador” in connecting the South with the outside world.
The audience will feel the ancient beauty and regal demeanor in every dance move and every characteristic costume of Champa culture.

3.3. Lighthouse – Memories of Hoi An in the glorious trading period

In an emotional performance, the image of a flickering lamp in the middle of the ocean becomes a symbol of waiting and loyalty. The girl stands silently on the shore, watching her lover drifting in the middle of the ocean, bringing a message of eternal love and the power of belief in the stages when Hoi An gradually became a bustling trading port.
The subtle combination of the sounds of the forest, the magical lights and the body language made the audience choke up. This is one of the most humane climaxes of the show Hoi An Memories.

3.4. Interference – Memories of Hoi An in the period of international integration

The show Hoi An Memories takes the audience on a journey back to the 16th - 17th centuries, when the Thu Bon River became the main trade route connecting Hoi An with the world. Here, images of Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese merchants... appear vividly, recreating a bustling trading port - a place of cultural, culinary and linguistic exchange.
This is not only a visual spectacle but also a reminder of Hoi An, once an economic center, where products from all over the world converged, contributing to the formation of its unique multicultural identity today.

3.5. Ao Dai – Contemporary mark in the heart of the old town

Closing the show Hoi An Memories is the image of girls in traditional ao dai gracefully walking in a space of modern artistic lighting. The music resonates like an echo of time, bringing the audience back to the carefree youth of school age.
This moment not only evokes the gentle beauty of Vietnamese women but also shows the spirit of the intersection between tradition and modernity - a Hoi An that is both nostalgic and fresh in the breath of the times.
The Hoi An Memories Show is not simply an entertaining performance; it is an emotional artistic journey, where the audience can relive important historical periods of Hoi An through stories, images and real emotions. With elaborate investment in technology, lighting, music and a magnificent outdoor stage, the Hoi An Memories Show is truly a must-see destination for those who want to deeply understand Hoi An culture, experience world-class performing arts and explore the beauty of cultural exchange within the heritage.

Source: https://www.vietravel.com/vn/am-thuc-kham-pha/ky-uc-hoi-an-show-dien-thuc-canh-hoanh-trang-tai-hien-linh-hon-pho-co-v17596.aspx