Set in the heart of the ancient town, the Hoi An Lune Center for the Performing Arts is a unique cultural experience. The Lune Center doesn’t just host the arts but is a work of art in itself. The building is the first and only bamboo theater in Vietnam and home to the famous Vietnamese Bamboo Circus. The structure features a 24-meter bamboo dome standing 13 meters high, a homage to the full moon, a sacred symbol in Vietnamese culture. As Hoi An is known for its full moon lantern festivals, the Lune Center’s illuminating dome and its location on the Bon River are somewhat theatrical in themselves.
A Brief History of Hoi An Lune Center
Established in Ho Chi Minh City in 2012, the Lune Production company produces Vietnamese-inspired cultural productions with performances in Saigon, Hanoi, and Hoi An. The company built the Lune Center for the Performing Arts in 2018 as its flagship venue to give local and foreign tourists a unique Vietnamese cultural experience.
What to Expect at Hoi An Lune Center
The 299-seater venue hosts three spectacular performances, the A O Show, Teh Dar, and The Mist. These productions have been running for several years, offering polished, slick performances guaranteed to wow and amaze.
A O Show – The A O Show is an energetic, comical depiction of the contrast between Vietnamese urban and country life. The production features live music and Lune’s Vietnamese Bamboo Circus with lots of movement and bamboo props.
Teh Dar – Teh Dar also features the Vietnamese Bamboo Circus, but with more of a tribal dance element. The production showcases the way of life of ancient Vietnamese tribes from the South West Highland of Vietnam. Expect lots of dance, tribal percussion, and the dramatic sounds of the buffalo horn.
The Mist – The Mist romanticizes a Vietnamese farmer’s life while celebrating rice, Vietnam’s staple source of food. Ballet and contemporary dance form the story’s basis with lots of vibrant colors and traditional Vietnamese music.
The shows move between Saigon, Hanoi, and Hoi An, so you’ll need to check Lune Production’s website for dates and prices, but performances generally start early evening around 18:00.
The Hoi An Lune Center for the Performing Arts is a few hundred yards from Hoi An’s Bridge of Lights, on the river opposite the ancient town.
After the performance, you can take a boat ride on the Bon River, stroll through the market in the ancient town, eat at one of many restaurants in the area, or find a bar for an evening nightcap. All of these experiences can be found at local Vietnam travel agency.
