Despite efforts by State-owned Ho Chi Minh City theaters to introduce Vietnamese dramatic arts to foreign visitors, most tourists have few opportunities to enjoy theater performances in the southern hub.
Only a few sporadic presentations of Vietnamese traditional arts, such as cai luong (a form of southern opera) and hat boi (classical opera), are held at State-owned theaters on weekends in the city.
Most of these theaters, like the Tran Huu Trang Cai Luong Theater, HCMC Hat Boi Art Theater, and HCMC Circus Art Troupe, depend on limited guidance and support from the city Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
In addition, State-owned theaters and travel companies have not joined forces to attract visitors or promote Vietnamese arts and culture to foreigners.
Private theaters, however, including Rong Vang (Golden Dragon) Water Puppet Theater of the Thai Duong Theater Arts Company, and the Superpowl Theater of the Van Tuan Entertainment Company, have achieved more success in attracting audiences.
Rong Vang Water Puppet Theater has worked closely with tourism companies both at home and abroad, and has brought in tens of thousands of viewers.
Superpowl Theater has likewise cooperated with travel companies to introduce visitors to its Duyen Viet 1 (Vietnamese Charms) program. The presentation highlights the special culture of the country’s central and southern regions.
Private theaters have also invested large amounts of money in heightening the quality of performances and advertising them.
State-owned theaters, meanwhile, are not as aggressive in promoting their programs, and thus fail to attract as many visitors. Industry insiders say HCMC thus needs a long-term strategy for promoting the dramatic arts to tourists and should invest more in building theaters.
