At weekends, the both banks of Da Nang’s Han River become more vibrant and bustling than weekdays with many exciting cultural events. Included are ‘bai choi’ (singing while acting as playing cards), Tuong (classical drama) street, and trumpet performances, and street parade of live music and dancing.

Local residents and visitors enjoying ‘bai choi’ performance on the pavement of Tran Hung Dao at the eastern end of the Rong (Dragon) Bridge

Music, vibrancy, and colour are the highlights of these events. Thanks to this, the events attract a large audience of local residents and visitors.

These street arts programmes, which are considered as spiritual food for both locals and visitors, have created art spaces imbued with the local cultural identity, thereby contributing to diversifying the city’s tourism products.

Mrs Tran Thi Huong, an overseas Vietnamese, said she and her family members loved enjoying ‘bai choi’ performances which helped them have a fun time, relaxed.

Similarly, Tuong street performances on Sunday nights attract a great deal of attention from visitors.

Apart from enjoying impressive Tuong performances, visitors are introduced to the art of Tuong mask drawing and its dress codes. In addition, they have the opportunity to have their photos taken in Tuong costumes which are available for rent at the event.    

Mr Pham Van Toan from Ha Noi said previously he hardly ever watch Tuong performances because he thought that this kind of arts was hard to understand.

He, however, added that after enjoying Tuong extracts performed by artists from the Nguyen Hien Dinh Tuong Theatre at the eastern end of the Han River Bridge, he found attractive things of this kind of arts.

Mr Nguyen Van Tai, Chairman of the Board of Director of the New Connection Events and Tourism JSC (Necotour), remarked over recent years relevant agencies have been making every effort to diversify street arts programmes in a bid to meet the increasing demand for entertainment of the audience.

In particular, since early May, folk music performances have taken place on the pavement of Tran Hung Dao at the eastern end of the Rong (Dragon) Bridge in Son Tra District at weekends.

Accordingly, artistes from the clubs of Traditional Music, Folk Song, Bamboo Flute, and Song Han Bai Choi (Singing While Acting as Playing Cards) will perform folk songs of northern, central and southern regions, as well as play some traditional Vietnamese musical instruments such as bamboo flutes, monochords, and drums.

Besides, there are calligraphy writing displays, and souvenir stands to satisfy the diversified demands of visitors.