Chapters & Stories in Hoi An Memories Show

Part 1: Life (Sinh Menh)

This chapter is the beginning of The Hoi An Memories Show. It’s started by a Vietnamese woman wearing a white ao dai long dress, a circle headpiece/turban and weaving silk by traditional loom. She is the story teller during an hour of the show. This scene reminds about Hoi An’s history when it was an important port in the Maritime Silk Road. Nowadays, the local textile industry is still living.

In the next part, a cottage appears in the middle of the stage, and then a family including husband, wife, and a kid. The wife is pregnant, and she walks in the rice fields (river) to collect snails and crabs to eat. Meanwhile, the husband lifts down a fishing net to catch fishes. Later, the wife has abdominal pain, and the husband has to hold her up and bring her home to give birth. While the family are staying inside the house, ao dai dancers show ‘weird’ posings and walk to depict a pregnant woman. When they stop dancing, the baby is borned, followed by the crying sound. Later, the family appears once again and the baby is wrapped by the fishing net. To end, all artists go backstage slowly.

To continue Chapter 1, groups of young half-naked men appear and call each other to claim the new land and build new villages, to start the new life. They hold long bamboo stalks, to show off their strength and high spirit. By the same energy, they perform in the river with a round bamboo tray, bringing the watcher such fantastic water effects. This is one of the most favourite performances in the whole show.

Part 2: Wedding (Dam Cuoi)

This second chapter is about a true historical event: the wedding between Huyen Tran princess (princess of Vietnamese kingdom) and Che Man king (king of Champa kingdom) in the 14th century. Since it happened, the land stretching from Hue to Hoi An (Thu Bon River northwards), has been owned by Vietnamese people, and a new era is opened.

Firstly, the audience will see groups of soldiers who hold the flag or the shield. After the performance of soldiers holding a shield, another group of male soldiers with a different kind of costume come and perform. All of them solemnly celebrate the appearance of Che Man king who rides a giant elephant. When he comes to the centre of the stage, meanwhile, the Vietnamese princess also appears (with her female servants). After that, the king leaves the elephant and walks across ‘the border river’ to meet the princess. The princess says goodbye to her home country. Later, the king sings a song (Vietnamese) and then her to show their impressions about the other side, before they walk together back to the elephant. To continue this bride procession, people in both countries dance and celebrate. It marks the best friendship ever between Vietnamese and Cham kingdoms.

People in the Champa kingdom follow Hinduism, so it’s easy to understand why the stage is decorated by Ganesha gods and costume of the king is Indian-influenced.

Part 3: Ship and Sea (Thuyen va Bien)

This stage tells the spectator another story about Hoi An: the love between boys and girls. When Hoi An is a trading port, boys often travel by boat to far places. With no information and communication, their lovers (local girls) always miss them and are willing to see them as early as possible. The girls don’t know what happened to them and don’t know which date they can see each other again.

The main actress is a young girl who holds a lamp and runs around, to look for her boyfriend. Sometimes, she thinks that he is there but then realizes that it’s wrong and feels disappointed. During her performance, a group of women who wear white long dresses and hold a lighting lantern, also move harmoniously and make the chapter so emotional.

The highlight of the chapter is when the boyfriend and his shipfriends fight with a strong storm on the sea. At home, his girlfriend is just full of worries and anxiety. She prays to the Lord Buddha and makes a wish that he can overcome dangers. Finally, a magic happens and he stays safe. To unify her, he flies up and swings the cable to go down the river where his girlfriend is. They embrace together and dance happily in a passionate love song (Vietnamese).

*The couple may be husband and wife

Part 4: Integration (Hoi Nhap)

This chapter starts with the whistle of steamboats which merchants used to reach Hoi An (called Faifo) from elsewhere in the world. From the 15th to 19th centuries, this was one of the most important ports in the global trading network in the Southeast Asia region.

This chapter depicts a bustling scene at Hoi An with lots of sellers and buyers, different social classes, diverse nationalities (different costumes & speaking languages), and typical products they trade (ceramics, spices, silk,…). It’s possible to see Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Dutch, English, Portuguese, and French on the stage. Every nationality shows their own culture or musical instrument. All of them are extremely happy to see each other and willing to build a good friendship. The river is also busy by boats carrying people and goods. No doubt, ‘Integration’ chapter has the most actors in the whole show.

After the ‘fair’ demonstration, a group of many women wearing green traditional dress with a one-strong zither (dan bau). This musical instrument is only seen in Vietnam. They dance with a spirit full of pride (plus the music & golden light), to honor the golden era of Hoi An. We believe that this is one of the most impressive performances in the Hoi An Memories Show. Do not forget to take photos!

Part 5: Ao Dai

Ao dai (meaning: long dress) is the national costume of Vietnamese people. It used to be popular for both men and women in the past, but now, most wearers are women. This traditional dress symbolizes the beauty and elegance of all women in Vietnam. Many travelers love buying it as a fashion souvenir, getting it on to stroll around Hoi An for taking photos. The final part of the Hoi An Memories Show aims to honor this special garment.

To open the chapter, a group of many women wearing a white ao dai long dress and riding the bicycle, brings the spectator a slice of Hoi An’s Old Town. After that, many other ladies walk out from houses in the background (to the right) and dance. On the left side of the stage, there is a model of Japanese Covered Bridge that symbolizes the town’s history and friendship between three nationalities (Japanese, Chinese & Vietnamese). In this bridge, there are 3 other female dancers wearing three different colors (green, yellow & red).

The most amazing performance of this chapter is when white ao dai ladies hold a conical hat and then bring amazing performances, such as moving together like a wave. They do it smoothly and flexibly, just making the views say wow and clap their hands nonstop.

To continue the performance of ao dai ladies, the storyteller who weaves the silk to start the chapters, leaves her place and comes to a stage. Then, the stage is lifted up and she sings a Vietnamese song proudly. To close the show and thank the audience, all of the actors and actresses will come to the stage.