Standing in the heart of Saigon, Ho Chi Minh Opera House possesses French Colonial architecture’s elegant and aesthetic characteristics. This theater has been used for various purposes, primarily organizing theatrical performances and major events.
During your trip to Ho Chi Minh City, besides exploring numerous splendid attractions and enjoying delicious local specialties, you should not miss out on an opportunity to visit the Ho Chi Minh City Opera House. Coming here, you can not only admire the architectural features of a bygone era but also enjoy numerous excellent performances.
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Ho Chi Minh City Opera House at a glance
Location
Ho Chi Minh City Opera House is situated at No. 7, Cong Truong Lam Son Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Having a prime location in the heart of the city, Saigon Opera House is close to many symbolic attractions, including the Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, etc.
Brief history
- In 1898, the French decided to build a theater to serve French soldiers during the war in Southern Vietnam.
- On January 17th, 1900: The inaugural performance at the Opera House was given by French artists and performers
- On November 18th, 1918: The first Vietnamese show was performed at the Opera House
- From 1945 to 1955: After being closed during World War II, the Opera House reopened in 1955
- In May 1975: The theater was officially named Ho Chi Minh Opera House
The outstanding architecture of the Ho Chi Minh City Opera House
Covering an area of 3,200 square meters, Saigon Opera House was constructed in 1898 by French architect Eugene Ferret in a “flamboyant” style of the Third Republic of France. The facade of Ho Chi Minh City Opera House is extremely appealing, with three huge doors and stone-carved statues of two women following the style of Greek Caryatids of Erechtheion. To reduce road noise, the theater was designed to be two meters higher than the ground and have two layers of doors. The granite used to construct the theater and the furniture were all imported from France.
The top 3 most excellent Ho Chi Minh City Opera House shows
Coming to Saigon Opera House, tourists will have the opportunity to enjoy numerous kinds of performances, from classical concerts, and opera galas to Vietnamese traditional and modern dances. The three most popular shows are A O, The Mist, and Teh Dar.
A O Show
A O Show allows audiences to enjoy a perfect combination of theatrical visual art, contemporary dance, traditional Vietnamese music, acrobatic acts, and bamboo circus performances. The name of the show is inspired by the sound “A” referring to a village and “O” referring to a city. As its name suggests, the show presents the contrasts between the rural and urban life of Vietnamese people.
The Mist Show
The Mist Show gives audiences a greater insight into the daily life of hard-working Vietnamese farmers. The show honors the farmers’ efforts and struggles in growing rice on humble muddy soil. The actors and actresses will perform neoclassical and modern dances to show the day and life of the farmers from dawn to dusk.
Teh Dar Show
Teh Dar Show is a popular Vietnamese bamboo circus show that tells untold stories about the life of Vietnamese highlanders. The costumes of the actors and actresses feature two typical colors – red and black. The actors wear loincloths, while the actresses wear short skirts with embroidered patterns of nature.
Ho Chi Minh City Opera House, one of the most iconic symbols of Ho Chi Minh City, is a must-visit Ho Chi Minh tourist attraction for those who are fond of French architecture and want to enjoy special performances. If you are planning a trip to Vietnam’s beautiful Ho Chi Minh City, make sure to include this location in your itinerary!
