Over recent years, various cultural activities have been held along the streets fronting onto Da Nang’s Han River at weekends and on public holidays.  Therefore, both banks of the river have become attractive and popular venues for both local residents and visitors.

A performance of traditional Vietnamese musical instruments by artistes from the Nguyen Hien Dinh Tuong Theatre

Impressive Tuong (classical drama) performances take place at 7.30pm at the western end of the Rong (Dragon) Bridge on the 1^st and 3^rd Sundays every month, and on the pavement of Tran Hung Dao at the eastern end of the Han River Bridge on the 2^nd and 4^th Sundays.

Mr Tran Ngoc Tuan, Director of the Nguyen Hien Dinh Tuong Theatre, said “In attempting to meet the increasing interest of local residents, many traditional Tuong extracts, with beautiful dances and impressive masks, are being introduced to the audience.”

He remarked that his unit is planning to organise traditional Cham arts programmes such as instrumental solos, and folk and traditional dancing at the city’s Museum of Cham Sculpture, opposite the western end of the Rong Bridge in the near future.  Visitors will get the chance to have their photos taken in Cham costumes, and to buy souvenirs imbued with the Cham people’s own identity.  This all will help to attract more visitors to the city.

‘Bai Choi’ (singing while acting as playing cards) performances are held on the pavement of Tran Hung Dao on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between 7.00pm and 9.30pm.

A trumpet performance

In addition to the above traditional arts forms, there are trumpet performances at the western end of the Rong (Dragon) Bridge on Sunday evenings, and street parades of live music and dancing along a section of Tran Hung Dao on the last Saturday of every month.  All of these programmes are attractive many locals and visitors.

Organised by the city’s Events and Festivals Organising Centre, street music programmes on the Bach Dang street riverside walk on the 2^nd and 4^th Saturdays at 7.30pm have become a spiritual food for both locals and visitors.

Mr Tran Xuan Thang, Deputy Director of the Centre, noted “My centre is making every effort to enhance the quality of these programmes, as well as to look for new talents for the city’s arts sector.”