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The Quintessence of Tonkin - The Quintessence of Tonkin

Làng Đa Phúc (gần chùa Thầy), xã Sài Sơn, huyện Quốc Oai, Hà Nội

The performance of The Essence of the North is the first real-life stage performance in Vietnam. Traditional folk elements are expressed in a modern and innovative way, recreating rural life in the Northern Delta. In addition to professional actors, the show is also a gathering place for a large cast of actors, who live right in the area of Thay Pagoda. Audiences will experience six aspects of Northern Culture Essence: Poetry, Buddhism, Nostalgia, Music & Painting, Joy & Festival. The show will bring you back to a wild time, living in the old Vietnamese countryside, feeling the sacred atmosphere and the cultural crystallization of the land of thousands of years of culture.

1. What Is "Tinh Hoa Bắc Bộ"? A Premier Cultural Show in Quốc Oai

Launched in October 2017, Tinh Hoa Bắc Bộ (full title: "Once Upon a Time in the Land of Doai – The Quintessence of Tonkin") is the most ambitious and grand-scale live performance ever produced in Vietnam. This spectacular show paints a rich and emotional picture of Northern Vietnamese culture and traditions.

The performance takes place on a water stage set within an entertainment complex near Chùa Thầy (Thầy Pagoda) — one of Vietnam’s oldest and most revered Buddhist temples. Surrounded by rice fields, rural villages, and Mount Thầy, the setting fully immerses the audience in the essence of wet rice civilization.

2. What Makes The Quintessence of Tonkin Special?

The show delivers a one-of-a-kind artistic experience, combining an underwater stage with natural scenery, lighting, and music. Audiences witness the fusion of religion and folklore through the story of Monk Từ Đạo Hạnh and Chùa Thầy.

The performance is divided into six chapters: Poetry, Buddhism, Nostalgia, Music & Painting, Festivities, and Joy. One of its most captivating features is the water puppetry, a traditional Vietnamese art form dating back over a thousand years performed directly on the natural lake.

3. Current Status of Tinh Hoa Bắc Bộ

After years of operation, the show continues to welcome both local and international tourists. While many other live spectacles in Vietnam have ceased, The Quintessence of Tonkin has remained consistent, continuously improving its quality and visitor experience.

Today, tickets can be booked online with early-bird discounts, dinner combos, or complimentary shuttle service from central Hanoi.

4. Essential Information

Location: Đa Phúc Hamlet, Sài Sơn Commune, Quốc Oai District, Hanoi (near Chùa Thầy)
Showtime: 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Capacity: Over 2,500 seats
Pick-up point: 5:30 PM from Hanoi Tower, 49 Hai Bà Trưng Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi

Drop-off: Around 10:00 PM at Hanoi Tower

Ticket Prices (with optional dinner combos):

800,000 VND / Silver Ticket; 1,100,000 VND / Silver Ticket + Dinner
900,000 VND / Gold Ticket; 1,200,000 VND / Gold Ticket + Dinner
1,200,000 VND / Platinum Ticket; 1,500,000 VND / Platinum Ticket + Dinner

Important Notes:

Ticket holders must arrive at the venue at least 30 minutes before the showtime.
Latecomers will be seated in designated areas and may not receive equivalent seating.
Smoking, eating, and all types of video or audio recording (including phones) are strictly prohibited during the performance.

5. What Does “Tinh Hoa Bắc Bộ” Mean in English?

In English, Tinh Hoa Bắc Bộ translates to The Quintessence of Tonkin. The word Tonkin historically refers to Northern Vietnam. During colonial times, it was the term used by the French and Westerners to describe the region.

The Quintessence of Tonkin not only serves as the official English title but also as a respectful representation of the show to international audiences.

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