Do Theater, world-class cultural and art rendezvous in Nha Trang

As part of the celebration the 370th anniversary of construction and development of Khanh Hoa Province, Do Theater located in Vega City Nha Trang resort - art - entertainment complex was officially inaugurated on April 1. This is the first private theater project whose ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. With a unique design bearing cultural features of Vietnam, Do Theater with its daily art show "Life Puppets" promises to become a new world-class culture- art center in Nha Trang City.

Impressive architecture imbued with traditional cultural features

The design of Do Theater was inspired by a fishing tool of Vietnam named “do”. Like a giant “do” by Nha Trang Bay, the theater is a rare work in Vietnam that meets strict standards for world-class art performances.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attends the inauguration ceremony of Do Theater

The theater has a total area of 2,500m2, 536 seats. Its mechanical system, sound and light system were imported directly from Europe. Combining traditional and futuristic architecture, Do Theater has the feel of Vietnam’s folk art and the world's contemporary art. Do Theater is expected to become an art, cultural and entertainment rendezvous for artists and tourists in Nha Trang in the future.
 

Do Theater and its "Life Puppets" set 2 Vietnamese records.

Do Theater is a typical example of effectiveness of public contribution in cultural and art works. Khanh Hoa Province has cooperated with KDI Holdings Group to develop Vega City Nha Trang resort-art-entertainment complex including Do Theater to add attraction to the province. These cultural and art works will be a differentiator to help Nha Trang and Khanh Hoa attract more domestic and foreign tourists and promote the tourism status of the coastal city of Nha Trang.

 

Do Theater’s architecture bears unique local culture with design inspiration from the biggest “do” in Vietnam.

A must see unique culture-art show when visiting Vietnam

The art show "Life Puppets" of Do Theater was created based on the story of the 12 zodiac animals, which are a typical feature of Eastern culture. The show features the quintessence from different age-old cultural characteristics of the country and approaches contemporary art. "Life Puppets" show combines traditional water puppet show and new types of puppetry such as shadow puppets and string puppets combined with Southeast Asian indigenous orchestras.
 

Water puppet performance in "Life Puppets" show

Performance of drums in "Life Puppets" show

According to Do Tuan Anh, general director of KDI Holdings, investor of Vega City Nha Trang resort - entertainment - art complex, it took more than two years to create the elaborate "Life Puppets" show.

"Life Puppets" show was created with the intention to immerse audience in genuine experience. Audience will be entertained by Vietnam’s water puppet shows performed in new style with expressive bamboo puppets, reflecting love stories and stories about life. Unlike in traditional water puppet shows where puppeteers and puppets are separated by bamboo screens, in "Life Puppets" show, puppeteers and puppets appear as one or more characters. In addition, audience can enjoy cartoon puppet show, a new form of puppetry that combines motion sensing technology and contemporary dance to create cartoon characters of 12 zodiac animals. The puppet shows are also accompanied by live performances of traditional musical instruments.

The crew of nearly 100 seasoned artists, artisans and actors put a lot of efforts and enthusiasm in creating such a unique art show. Nguyen Van Thien, director of Khanh Hoa Provincial Department of Culture and Sports, believes that the show will become an attractive destination for businesses, local people and tourists. PhD. and Meritorious Artist Hoang Minh Tam, member of Vietnam Association of Stage Artists highly appreciates the large-scale investment in infrastructure; modern stage, sound and lighting equipment; good content and music of "Life Puppets" show of Do Theater. 

Giang Dinh
Translated by H.N