Reviving heritage
One weekend evening, amidst the shimmering atmosphere of Hoa Lu Ancient Town, the sound of war drums echoed, and lights gradually illuminated a vast stage. Against a backdrop recreating history, the story of Dinh Bo Linh, from a young buffalo herder to the founding emperor, was told through the unique language of circus arts, martial arts, and performance art. This is how the "Hero of the Reed Flag" live circus show has been captivating tourists in recent days.
Ms. Giang Khanh Linh, Head of Communications at Hoa Lu Ancient Town, said: “Through this show, we want to create a cultural tourism product that can tell stories, touch emotions, and help tourists better understand the history of Ninh Binh - which was once the capital of Dai Co Viet.”
Notably, the show doesn't follow a traditional linear storytelling approach, but instead utilizes body language, contemporary circus arts, and a combination of modern sound, lighting, and stage effects. Techniques such as wire rigging, aerial trapeze, and multi-tiered setups expand the performance space, creating a majestic, realistic, and fresh experience for the audience.
Ms. Pham Thanh Huong, a tourist from Phu Tho province, shared: “Previously, we came to Hoa Lu Ancient Town mainly to take photos and then leave. This time, my children and I decided to experience the “Hero of the Reed Flag” show with the hope that our children would be more proud of our national history. Through impressive and elaborately staged martial arts performances, the information and images about King Dinh Tien Hoang were portrayed naturally, easily remembered, and resonated with the audience.”
According to many tourism experts, in the context of Ninh Binh tourism needing to supplement nighttime experiences to extend the length of stay, live performance shows like "Hero of the Reed Flag" are considered an important touchpoint. Along with the cuisine and cultural space in Hoa Lu Ancient Town, they contribute to creating "ecosystems" that encourage tourists to stay longer and experience more. More importantly, these shows help history step out of the pages of books and become closer to tourists, "reviving" the unique cultural values and heritage of the ancient capital region.
Making the most of "live show" performances
"Live show" is a type of performing arts staged in a real space, such as a natural landscape or existing historical site, instead of a traditional stage, combining various elements to create a diverse experience for the audience.
In recent years, Ninh Binh has gradually established itself as a unique "live performance stage," chosen by many large-scale event organizers. Possessing a special system of cultural heritage and pristine, peaceful natural landscapes, Ninh Binh has all the conditions to develop large-scale live performance art. The majestic limestone mountain ranges, the interwoven river systems, and the depth of its millennia-long history create a rare "living backdrop" where nature becomes part of the language of art.
In recent times, many important cultural and tourism events of the province have been successfully and impressively organized, in which the "real-life element" is considered a major plus that has made a mark on the programs. These include the music stage in Hoa Lu Ancient Town, the real-life stage in Tam Coc rice fields, the stages in Khe Coc Island area, Thung Nham, and Hoa Lu Ancient Capital…
Utilizing this large-scale "open stage" has been optimizing the value of available resources, while making Ninh Binh a prominent destination in the trend of combining tourism, art, and projection technology, contributing to the preservation and promotion of heritage values in an authentic and effective way.
Thung Nham Eco-tourism Area is a popular destination for many event organizers due to its unique setting, ideal for live performance shows. Recently, the organizers have proactively developed live performance shows to highlight cultural and historical values while connecting people with nature and heritage through multi-touch experiences.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Yen Thuong, Head of Marketing at Thung Nham Eco-tourism Area, said: “We have just launched the live mini-show “Song of Nature” with 4 experiential stations in the natural setting of Thung Nham. Each stop is a story, a unique emotional state stemming from everyday stories or legends in Vietnam's diverse cultural heritage.”
The journey begins with the story of "The Adventures of Cricket," depicting his first steps. This is followed by "Flapping Wings in the Sun," evoking a yearning for growth. "Resurrection" takes the audience to a place where life is reborn. And it concludes with "Dance of Flowers," showcasing joyful and vibrant beauty. The unique aspect of this model is that it blurs the lines between stage and reality, allowing the audience to freely explore, contemplate, and deepen their love for nature and culture. Initially, the shows have received a positive response from the audience.
According to Mr. Vu The Binh, Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association, many localities currently lack resources not because they lack them, but because they lack the ability to "tell a compelling story." How to transform existing resources such as history, nature, and culture into marketable products is a question that needs to be given due attention.
Ninh Binh has a major advantage: a stable flow of tourists year-round, especially international visitors. If properly utilized, live performance shows can become an attractive product, extending tourists' length of stay. The most valuable aspect of live performance shows lies not in the technology or scale, but in their ability to "awaken heritage." In this trend, Ninh Binh is taking noteworthy steps.
However, according to the Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association, organizing live performance shows is not easy, as the investment costs are often very high, from staging and technology to personnel training. Therefore, exploiting and developing this tourism product requires many factors such as a long-term development strategy, coordination between the State and businesses, systematic investment in content, human resources, and safety for artists and tourists; and most importantly, perseverance, creativity, and continuous innovation in content while especially respecting the existing natural values and heritage.
In the quest for unique tourism products, live performance shows are opening up a promising new direction for Ninh Binh. When heritage is "retold" through modern artistic language, the visitor experience goes beyond mere viewing; it's about empathy and deep connection. With proper investment and sustainable development, these "natural stages" will contribute to the strong growth of tourism and the cultural industry, positioning Ninh Binh as a distinctive cultural, artistic, and theatrical destination in the future.
Source: https://baoninhbinh.org.vn/show-thuc-canh-mo-loi-moi-cho-du-lich-ninh-binh-260318134432202.html
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