Stage show «The Heritage Show»

   One hour, three ancient lands of Central Vietnam: imperial Hue (Huế), mystical Champa and the old trading port of Hoi An (Hội An). The Heritage Show tells their stories almost without words, through music, light, dance and costume, and keeps pulling the audience onto the stage. If you want an evening in Da Nang that gets you closer to the region's culture than its beaches and bridges do, start here.

   Since February 22, 2026, the An Hai Ward Cultural House (An Hải) has been staging a new version of the show, «Hòa nhịp di sản» (In Harmony with Heritage). It is directed by Nguyen Bong Mai (Nguyễn Bông Mai); according to the city's tourism portal, she has more than 20 years of experience in stage production and large-scale art programs, has traveled across Vietnam for 99 days to explore regional cultural life and has researched traditional costumes extensively.

   The show unfolds as a journey in three parts:
— Hue: royal court music (nhã nhạc), the cup dance and Ho Quyen (Hổ Quyền), the arena built in 1830 for fights between elephants and tigers
— Champa: the Kate festival (Katê), the Apsara dance, the sacred water procession and a trio of instruments, the saranai horn and the paranung and ghi-nang drums
— Hoi An: a fishing village, bai choi (bài chòi) folk singing, a lantern dance and street-style mì Quảng noodles

   What sets it apart is that nobody stays a mere spectator. In the Champa part, guests join the sacred water procession; in Hoi An they get to touch the lanterns; and in the old market scene the performers steam rice sheets, cut noodles and serve mì Quảng right on stage to audience members perched on little plastic stools, while anyone who wants to can try a few steps of noodle-making under an artisan's guidance. As director Bong Mai told the newspaper Báo Đà Nẵng, the show aims to open «small slices where the beauty of heritage, the past, the present and the audience's emotions can meet».

   It suits first-time visitors to Central Vietnam who want a clear map of its culture in an hour, families, and anyone who prefers live action to a tour guide's commentary. There is almost no dialogue: the story rests on music, light and movement, so language is no barrier.

   Shows run daily at 17:00 and last about an hour. In spring and summer 2026, the city tourism portal and Báo Đà Nẵng also listed a second, evening show at 19:45; as of early October the organizer lists only the 17:00 performance, so call the hotline about an evening slot. The venue is on the east bank of the river, close to Dragon Bridge (Cầu Rồng), Love Bridge (Cầu Tình Yêu) and My Khe Beach (Mỹ Khê), which makes it easy to pair with an evening walk along the Han River.

   Arrive by five and be ready to be called up on stage, whether with a lantern in hand or for a bowl of mì Quảng.