Since early this year, a wide array of diverse indoor and outdoor arts programmes have been organised across Da Nang, especially on weekends and in major public holidays. This positive sign shows the city’s efforts to satisfy the growing entertainment needs of locals and visitors, as well as to tempt tourists back.

The ‘Tuong Street’ programme is planned to be resumed in April. Photo: XUAN DUNG

Meeting public demand for cultural enjoyment

Thanks to flexibly applying the city’s ‘Safe and flexible adaptation, and effective control of COVID-19’ policy, since the beginning of 2022, activities and services in the city have gradually returned to normal, including cultural activities.

Seizing this opportunity, performing arts units have quickly resumed their operations, organising many programmes to serve the relaxation and entertainment needs of locals and visitors.

As illustration, since the Tet Festival 2022, the Da Nang Cinema and Culture Centre under the municipal Department of Culture and Sports has continuously organised numerous outdoor arts programmes every weekend to serve the public, including ‘Vu Dieu Song Han’ (A Han River Dance), a street music programme, ‘bai choi’ performances, and performances of central folk singing, dancing and instrumental music.

Besides, many large-scale arts programmes were held by the centre in districts during major public holidays.

In March 2022, the Da Nang Cinema and Culture Centre has coordinated with the Son Tra District authorities and the Da Nang Junior College of Culture and Arts to organise the  Street Dance programme themed ‘Da Nang in March’.

During the programme, hundreds of artistes and actors from Son Tra District, the Junior College of Culture and Arts and local dance clubs performed Vietnamese and international musical compositions with joyful and bustling tunes of such highly-popular dances as pasodop, rumba, chachacha, tango, disco, salsa and bachata combined with dancers getting dressed in beautiful and youthful costumes.

Mrs. Vu Thi Xuan Hoa, a resident of Son Tra District, said she was very happy when the Street Dance programme in particular, and cultural activities in Da Nang in general, resumed after two years of being affected by the pandemic.

Similarly, the Nguyen Hien Dinh Tuong (classical drama) Theatre has flexibly performed many arts programmes combining performances of ethnic musical instruments from the beginning of the year until now.

In order to meet the needs of traditional arts lovers, the theatre plans to re-launch the weekly ‘Tuong Street’ programme at the foot of the Tran Thi Ly Bridge.

Actor Thai Van Nga from the Nguyen Hien Dinh Tuong Theatre remarked that those who work in the performing arts field were very excited to be able to return to their work in order to serve the public.

"All artists and actors are determined to bring to the public performances and programmes with the best quality during this comebacl" Mr. Nga affirmed.

Singers performing the 'The World Together' song composed by musican Tung Lam at the gala night to summarise the campaign to compose songs and stage scripts about COVID-19 prevention and control. Photo: Xuan Dung

Preparing for quality programmes and events

As the city's leading arts unit, over the past time, the Trung Vuong Theater has strived to renew itself through each product and programme.

In addition, the theatre’s singers and artistes have actively participated in cultural performances for the city's programmes and events.

Director of the Trung Vuong Theatre Tran Quang Hao emphasized that Da Nang was gradually returning to its inherent bustling and vibrant atmosphere after a long hiatus due to COVID-19.

He added that, in the coming time, the Trung Vuong Theater would focus on attracting partners in stage rental, and bringing to the audience special events such as a general arts program to celebrate the National Reunification Day (30 April) and International Labour Day (1 May) at the APEC Sculpture Park, an adventure circus gala from April 29 - May 1, and some venues for beauty pageants.

Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Culture and Sports Nguyen Thi Hoi An highlighted that the resumption of performing arts activities in both indoors and outdoors created a joyful and vibrant atmosphere for the city’s culture sector.

She revealed “In the time to come, the Department will closely direct its affiliated units as well as coordinate with the Youth Union, the College of Culture and Arts, and some businesses, to organise many public quality programmes and events to meet the public demand for cultural enjoyment.

Reporting by XUAN DUNG - Translating by M.DUNG