"Thien" and "Dance under the Moon" - two art programs imbued with identity

In November 2025, two large-scale art programs named "Thien" and "Dance under the Moon" with the participation of 176 artisans and ethnic people in Sa Pa, Lao Cai and 22 professional actors from the Lao Cai Province Ethnic Art Troupe will be spread to the public.

Two art programs "Thien" and "Dance under the Moon" with the participation of 176 artisans and ethnic people will take place in Sa Pa, Lao Cai in November 2025.

In 2023, on the occasion of the 120th anniversary of Sa Pa tourism , "Dance under the Moon" - a show excerpt from the script "Whispering of Mist and Clouds" - was introduced for the first time at San Quan, Sa Pa.

With the artistic essence skillfully connected through performances through music , animation, dance, lyrics, flute, string instruments... of the ethnic communities blending into the magical mist, it has opened up a vibrant and enchanting cultural space. From that initial mark, the desire to continue to exploit, honor and spread.

Program crew at a press meeting in Hanoi on the afternoon of September 23.

In November 2025, that journey entered a new milestone with the launch of a special art program called "Thien" - a stage play depicting the spiritual depth, identity and core values ​​in the spiritual life of the Dao people.

Along with that, "Dance under the Moon" continues to affirm its enduring vitality and ability to touch the hearts of the public, like a captivating harmony of mountains and forests, of people in the "high sky and high earth" known as the land of "five seasons".

The magical space at the Tennis Court is expected to bring a good experience to the public.

"Thien" is a large-scale visual art project of song-dance-music-performance, inspired by the cultural treasure of the Dao community in Sa Pa. The work depicts the connection between land-water-fire-love-belief, while honoring the sacredness of traditional rituals, especially the coming-of-age ceremony, a symbol of maturity and the Dao people's philosophy of life.

The program aims to preserve, transmit and promote the quintessence of the Dao people, through performing arts combining modern technology such as lighting, stage arrangements, 3D mapping, but still respecting the original culture. This is also an opportunity for the Dao people to directly participate, telling the story of their own people through the language of art.

The program's performance includes singing, dancing, and music, focusing on rituals, folk performances, and traditional dances, with the participation of artisans, Red Dao people in Sa Pa, and professional and semi-professional actors.

In addition, there is a combination of visual arts, lighting, stage effects and 3D mapping projections to create a magical, symbolic space; bilingual narration (Vietnamese-Dao, Vietnamese-English) helps expand access to international audiences.

The beauty in culture and beliefs of ethnic groups is spread strongly.

"Dance under the Moon" is a dance crystallized from the intense life of the ethnic communities in Sa Pa. Cultural life, beliefs, customs, festivals, labor, production, and folk knowledge are both unique and rich, becoming an endogenous strength, connecting the community and building the homeland.

The sounds of leaf trumpets, jew's harps, and bells gently ring in response to the deep, high, and whispering sounds of panpipes and flutes... The colors of brocade blend with the sounds of the mountains and forests, replacing the opening words: "A large forest attracts many animals - A large house attracts many guests".

The dances in the show depict some of the unique cultural features of the local ethnic communities through the dances of the ethnic groups: Red Dao, H'Mong, Xa Pho, Tay, Giay . The show has the participation of 134 artisans and 6 professional actors.

The program crew discussed thoroughly with the performers.

During many years of working in the Lao Cai culture and tourism sector, scriptwriter Ha Van Thang (former Director of the Lao Cai Provincial Department of Tourism) in addition to his management work, has also quietly nurtured a dream. That dream originated from his childhood days following his mother around the village, listening to the sounds of the flute, singing, and feeling the breath of life in the mountains.

As an adult, in his role as a photographer and cultural manager, he had more opportunities to interact, learn and blend in with the Dao community in Sa Pa - where every song, every ritual, every costume contains a part of the identity and spiritual beliefs of the nation.

While still in the position of Director of the Department of Tourism of Lao Cai province, Mr. Thang advised on the construction of many dossiers to preserve intangible cultural heritage. The deeper he researched, the more he realized that books, policies or research projects still could not cover and convey all the erudition, quintessence and humanity in the treasure of folk knowledge, especially of the Dao people.

Witnessing many art performances staged on stage but not really touching the "root" of culture, Mr. Thang nurtured the intention of writing works so that his fellow countrymen could become the subject, telling their own stories.

The sacred ritual of the Coming of Age Ceremony will be vividly recreated.

The meeting between author Ha Van Thang and director Dang Xuan Truong opened a new journey. Director Dang Xuan Truong, famous for his visual creations, lighting and installation art, was immediately attracted to "Thien". In his eyes, the script can completely interweave music, dance, technology and visual aesthetics to open up a world that is both real and magical.

Director Dang Xuan Truong commented: "Preservation is not about display, but about allowing the subject to perform in his own religious space." Therefore, together with choreographers, artists and Red Dao artisans, he built the work on the foundation of the people who carry the heritage in their veins.

The main element of the program is to honor the cultural identity of Vietnamese ethnic groups.

"Sacred" in Dang Xuan Truong's view is the visual art of images and light, combined with stage installation art, music, dance, religious practices and legends, love songs. The program is expected to bring a multidimensional experience, both visual and spiritual: expanding emotions, arousing thoughts, touching aesthetics and instilling in the audience a deep respect for cultural differences.

“We have received a lot from ethnic minorities, so this is a way to repay the favor. Art is the thread that restores trust between people,” director Dang Xuan Truong confided.

The stage of "Thien" is even more special because of the space of San Quan, Sa Pa. When plays are held here, the architecture itself becomes a part of the work, creating a resonance between art and space. It is an experience that only Sa Pa has, and cannot be found anywhere else.

The director chose to use technology to interact with natural materials: fabric, wool, cotton, traditional costumes... Combining light, music, and choreography with these rustic materials, the crew created a stage that is both modern and imbued with the breath of the mountains and forests.

The program's production team has carefully researched the culture of the northern mountainous people.

"There are nights when the weather in Sa Pa suddenly changes, clouds cover the stage and then disperse. The light penetrates the clouds, creating a magical scene that makes both artists and audiences feel like they are entering the sacred world of the Dao people," director Dang Xuan Truong added.

The elaborate art programs are a journey to transform the pain of people who love local culture into resonant works of art: with creative knowledge, accompanied by artists and supported by modern technology. More importantly, the programs open up confidence and pride for the ethnic people themselves when they step onto the big stage in their costumes, rituals and beliefs.

THUY PHUONG

Source: https://nhandan.vn/thieng-va-vu-dieu-duoi-trang-hai-chuong-trinh-nghe-thuat-dam-da-ban-sac-post909951.html