Water show «Sử Thi Âu Lạc» (Au Lac Epic)

   On Friday and Saturday evenings, Da Lat's Delight Park stages Vietnamese history on the water: «Sử Thi Âu Lạc» (Au Lac Epic) combines 3D holograms, light, sound and a floating stage that glides across the lake. If you would like to end a day in Da Lat with a show rather than just an evening stroll, this is a good reason to head to the park.

   The park pitches the show as «a journey through time»: in the organizers' words, holograms, vivid light and sound and the floating stage «tell the heroic story of Vietnamese history». The name refers to Âu Lạc, an ancient Viet state that, according to old chronicles, was founded in 257 BC by King An Duong Vuong (An Dương Vương), with its capital at Cổ Loa, now part of Hanoi.

   Good to know before you go:
— the show lasts about 45 minutes: the ticket gives 20:00 to 20:45
— the stage sits on the water on the site of the former Than Tho Lake (Hồ Than Thở); the park rules list the show as the water show of Suong Mai Lake (Hồ Sương Mai)
— show tickets are sold as packages that already include park admission, with regular and VIP seats
— under park rules, children under 1 m enter free, and children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult

   The show suits families and couples spending an evening in Da Lat who enjoy light shows: it is short and finishes early, so the evening does not have to stretch late into the night.

   The park is large, with 30 hectares of flower gardens, so there is plenty to do before the show: its website lists the Trứng Rồng Tiên fountain, the Vạn hoa tiên cảnh night walk, the Ánh sáng rừng thiêng light forest, hot-air balloon rides, the Love Garden (Vườn Tình Yêu) and a statue of Guanyin (Quan Thế Âm). The light forest and the Bồng Lai Tiên Cảnh Ngàn Sao night tour run from 18:00 to 22:00, so they combine easily with the show.

   The show is scheduled for Friday and Saturday evenings, and the park's official box office sells show tickets only for those two nights. Outside food and drinks are not allowed, and tickets are non-refundable unless a show is canceled due to force majeure.

   Arrive by eight and find a seat by the water: ancient Âu Lạc comes to life right on the lake.