Vietnam offers beautiful scenery, cultural sites, extraordinary pagodas, and cosmopolitan cities. Still, Vietnam has so much more than those features, as you can enjoy its vibrant and exciting live culture. Don’t miss the chance to see Vietnam’s performing arts, including theatrical arts, dance, and music. You will be treated to a memorable experience in Hanoi or Hoi An, where you can appreciate music performances or have some delicious Vietnamese food.
Explore the most impressive entertainment options in Vietnam.
Theatrical Performances
Watching Vietnamese theater can show you insight into folk stories and local culture. The most popular places to see this type of art are the Hanoi Opera House and Vietnam Tuong Theatre in Hanoi. Also, visit the Saigon Opera House in Ho Chi Minh City. The theater is special because these performances highlight traditional culture featuring contemporary theater techniques. In addition, most of the theaters and opera houses are established in colonial buildings. So, aside from watching the actors, you can enjoy the French colonial architecture.
Water Puppet Show
Although puppetry is present in many ancient cultures, water puppetry is rare. In this case, the puppets appear to be moving on the water. It’s a particular type of art you can only find in Vietnam, with rising popularity among tourists. It’s traditionally performed on flooded paddies. Explore the Thang Long Water Puppet Theater in Hanoi for an experience you will never forget. The show usually lasts an hour. The most impressive feature is figuring out how the puppeteers handle the puppets to move them naturally above water. Water puppetry is an ancient art dating back to the 11th century and was born in the villages of the Red River Delta.
Traditional Vietnamese Music
You can’t leave Vietnam without listening to the most enchanting music. Even though the music from Vietnam resembles Chinese music, it also has some distinctive features. Check some music genres, such as Ca Trù, an ancient type of music centered on a female singer. Most performances are held in Thang Long Ca Tru Gild in Hanoi. In the past, this performance had negative connotations due to its similarities with the geisha performance. However, nowadays, it’s a form of art that everybody respects. Don’t miss the traditional musical instruments, such as the sáo (Chinese flute) and the dàntranh. Most foreigners don’t understand the Vietnamese sounds at first. However, once you get familiar with this music, you will be enchanted by its beauty.
Vietnam’s street food
Vietnam is known internationally for its pho noodles and spring rolls. Still, Vietnam has so much more to offer. Therefore, you should check the possibility of reserving a street food tour and enjoying plenty of delicacies. These tours are provided in the Old Quarter in Hanoi. During the tour, you must try banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich) and local drinks, like egg coffee. Street vendors will captivate you with the sights, smells, and delicious tastes. Try the tropical fruits for a tasteful experience. Eat some mangos, longans, or lychees.
Cook Vietnamese Food
There is an opportunity to learn all the secrets of Vietnamese food. Tours usually include a visit to the local market to obtain ingredients. After that, you will take a boat trip on the Hoi An River to a restaurant, where a chef will instruct you on how to cook. The most common dishes are shrimp rolls, rice cake, noodle soup, and Hoi An pancakes.
Vietnam eVisa
Vietnam will blow your mind with all its art and flavors. Now you need to check the travel documents necessary for your trip. In this case, you should apply for the Vietnam eVisa. This mandatory visa allows access to the country for tourism. Luckily, you don’t need to go through a process at an embassy or consulate, as everything is available online with iVisa.com. The platform can process your application and provide the electronic visa digitally. It will take you a few minutes to complete an online form with your data. Submit passport details for a quick service and expect an email with the electronic visa. The travel document is valid for up to 30 days and permits a single entry. Display it to airport officers, and enjoy Vietnam soon with your electronic visa.
