Bac Lieu Three Conical Hats Theater

Kinhtedothi – Located within the Hung Vuong Square architectural complex in Bac Lieu City, the Three Conical Hats Theater is a unique tourist highlight that attracts visitors with its modern architecture, yet it exemplifies the long-standing local culture with its rich and generous Southern Vietnamese spirit.

Speaking to the Economic and Urban Newspaper, Mr. Ly Vy Trieu Duong, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Bac Lieu province, said that the Mekong Delta Tourism Association has just recognized the Cao Van Lau Theater (also known as the Three Conical Hat Theater) of Bac Lieu province as a typical tourist destination of the Mekong Delta in 2024. In addition, the theater has also been recognized as a Vietnamese record-breaking unique tourist destination in the Mekong Delta and the whole country.

Unique tourist and cultural attractions.

Located next to Hung Vuong Square in Ward 1, Bac Lieu City, the Cao Van Lau Theater is built in the shape of three interlocking conical hats. In 2014, the Cao Van Lau Theater was honored by the Vietnam Record Organization (VietKings) with the record for "The Cao Van Lau Theater with the largest shape of three conical hats in Vietnam."

View of Cao Van Lau Theater in Bac Lieu (Hoang Nam).

The conical hat is a symbol of Southern Vietnamese culture in particular, and Vietnamese culture in general. The image of the three conical hats on the theater represents the closeness and affection of the people of Bac Lieu, the Mekong Delta, and Vietnamese people from the three regions of North, Central, and South Vietnam. The three conical roofs clustered together also symbolize the three most populous ethnic groups who have lived together for a long time in Bac Lieu and the Mekong Delta: the Kinh, the Chinese, and the Khmer. Because of this special meaning and deep sentiment, the locals affectionately call the Cao Van Lau Theater the "Three Conical Hat Theater," a unique cultural landmark with a distinct beauty of Bac Lieu and the Mekong Delta.

The theater is an ideal check-in point for tourists (Thanh Cuong)

The structure is designed in the shape of three conical hats, both soft and vibrant. The image of the conical hat is closely associated with the daily life and work of Vietnamese women, representing gentleness, grace, and resilience. It is also a symbol of special significance, expressing the solidarity of the three ethnic groups: Kinh, Khmer, and Hoa, living in Bac Lieu, and the close ties between the North, Central, and South regions of the country.

Unique architecture

Built to honor the late talented musician Cao Van Lau, the Three Conical Hats Theatre was designed by architect Vuong Hoang Le (of the Ho Chi Minh City Architects Association) with a total area of ​​2,262 m2. The theatre is divided into three cylindrical blocks, with roofs shaped like three giant conical hats facing each other. The tallest hat is over 24 m high, the largest has a diameter of over 45 m, and the roof is made of composite panels matching the color of the conical hats.

Viewed from above, the three conical hats clustered together symbolize the fusion of three cultures—Vietnamese, Khmer, and Chinese—in the Bac Lieu region and the Mekong Delta. (Thanh Cuong)

Three conical hats clustered together form a symbol of the unity between the Kinh, Khmer, and Hoa ethnic groups living together harmoniously on this land. With its unique and impressive architecture, the Three Conical Hats Theater stands out with its rustic, simple, and familiar traditional beauty. The building not only honors the late musician Cao Van Lau but also preserves the material and spiritual values ​​of the people of Southern Vietnam in the process of developing their cultural life.

According to the design, the three conical hats represent the three buildings. Building A is where events and performances of traditional arts such as Cai Luong opera, Du Ke singing, and contemporary music and dance take place, with a capacity of over 850 seats. Building B is the area for the conference and seminar center, and Building C is dedicated to organizing exhibitions and displays of culture and art to attract tourists.

Furthermore, the design features conical-shaped structures facing the main road, with a circular base connected to the lake, creating a vibrant atmosphere. The lake covers a total area of ​​1,800 m², with a walkway for visitors winding along its perimeter. The area outside the walkway is used for planting lotus and water lilies and raising ornamental fish, providing a cool and picturesque setting. The inner part of the lake cools the air and reflects the structure and the conical roofs on its surface. At night, the theater is illuminated by dazzling lights, brightening the center of Bac Lieu City.

A very unique tourist attraction.

For many years, the theater has been a unique check-in point for tourists visiting Hung Vuong Square, or a wonderful location for wedding photos for couples during wedding season.

The theater is currently a place preserving the unique cultural identity of Bac Lieu (Hoang Nam).

According to Mr. Van Cong Diep, Director of the Cao Van Lau Theater, the theater is named after the late musician Cao Van Lau, the father of the immortal "Da Co Hoai Lang" song. The theater possesses beauty not only in its architecture but also embodies a unique cultural identity. It is a place for collecting, preserving, training, passing on skills, and promoting traditional national art values. The theater also hosts many artistic performances including: Cai Luong (Vietnamese traditional opera), Du Ke (Vietnamese folk opera), and a comprehensive collection of traditional and contemporary music and dance performances. These performances will be presented by Meritorious Artists and talented young artists, through excerpts from Cai Luong plays performed every Saturday evening. The theater also organizes many exhibitions and displays of culture, art, and history, attracting tourists and becoming a popular spot for young people to take wedding photos, souvenir photos, and check in, appealing to many domestic and international visitors to Bac Lieu.

"There's no need to travel abroad and take photos with famous theaters; taking pictures at the Three Conical Hats Theater in Bac Lieu is enough to be delighted. Because this is a Vietnamese building, in Vietnam, and it fully embodies the cultural nuances of the Vietnamese people in the Mekong Delta. Visiting here once will make you feel incredibly proud and delighted," said Ms. Vo Ly Anh Dao, a tourist from Ho Chi Minh City.

Source: https://kinhtedothi.vn/nha-hat-3-non-la-bac-lieu-diem-du-lich-tieu-bieu-cua-dbscl.html