The live entertainment show "The Quintessence of Tonkin” recently won the Gold Stevie Award for Innovation in Media, Visual Communications & Entertainment, beating projects from all over Asia.

The stage is permanently
submerged under a thin layer of water, and is large enough to accommodate all
250 performers at any one time. (Photo: tinhhoabacbo.com)
The Quintessence of Tonkin, run by Tuan Chau Ha Noi JSC,
impressed the judges of the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards 2018 with images of
peaceful landscapes and its depiction of the unique heritage of the northern
region as well as Vietnamese history and culture from a contemporary
perspective, which it portrayed with the help of hundreds of performers, an
interactive stage, and state-of-the-art technology.
The Silver prizes for this category went
to Traditional become Modernism - Korea traditional theatre Miyaljeon by
Seoul’s Dure Art, "Hoi An Memories” show at the Hoi An Theme Park in the
central Vietnamese province of Quang Nam, and Toonation, a project by the
Republic of Korea’s Toothlife Co. Ltd.
The Bronze went to Hong
Kong’s HGC Global Communications for their Launch of New eSports
Online Platform project.
The Quintessence of Tonkin highlights
various elements of Vietnamese culture, such as folk singing, folk games, the
worship of Mother Goddesses, and the daily life of farmers, portrayed in
contemporary and innovative ways.
The 60-minute show is held every day
between 7.30 pm and 8.30 pm at Baara Land, Quoc Oai district, 25km west of Hanoi’s centre.
The venue is near the Thay Pagoda, one
of the oldest Buddhist pagodas in the country and a pilgrimage site during the
lunar new year festival season.
The spectacle draws inspiration from the
pagoda’s spiritual history, with its story focusing on the founding of the
pagoda by the venerable monk Tu Dao Hanh and the ancient union between religion
and monarchy. A visit to the Thay Pagoda can be combined with a trip to see The
Quintessence of Tonkin, contextualising both experiences.
The show’s stage was built between the
auditorium and the small hill where Thay Pagoda rests, so audiences can watch
the show with the pagoda as a backdrop.
The stage is permanently submerged under
a thin layer of water, and is large enough to accommodate all 250 performers at
any one time.
The water allows for a creative
portrayal of the area’s cultural heritage, in the form of water puppetry and
dragon boat racing, among others.
While performance art technicians were
sourced to come up with a world class sound and lighting system, the show
reflects the peaceful sounds of rural Vietnam, such as those that come
from wooden drums, brass gongs, night crickets, and flowing water. The project
also blends different elements of traditional music styles, includingquan
ho(love duets) andca
tru(ceremonial singing),
both of which are now recognised by UNESCO as examples of intangible world
heritage.
The Stevie Awards are the world’s premier
business awards, with the aim of recognising achievements in the workplace
worldwide.
Source: NDO
Gongs hold a special place in the cultural and spiritual life of the Muong ethnic people in Hoa Binh province. More than musical instruments, they are an indispensable part of community rituals and collective memory, echoing through generations as a spiritual thread linking the past, present, and future.
Preserving and promoting the cultural values of the Muong ethnic group has become an urgent task in the current context, as many traditional values face the risk of fading away. This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.
The Muong ethnic culture, deeply rooted in Vietnam’s mountainous north, continues to be preserved and revitalised by dedicated individuals and communities determined to safeguard their ancestral identity.
The Muong group is one of the largest ethnic minorities in Vietnam, primarily found in Hoa Binh province. The Muong people in Hoa Binh boast a rich and diverse cultural treasure that reflects the unique identity of this ethnic group. Accounting for over 63% of the province's population, they have created and preserved numerous distinctive cultural values, contributing to their unique identity. Their cultural heritage is an invaluable asset, at the heart of their national identity, and represents a vibrant spiritual life that must be preserved and promoted in today’s modern world.
For generations, the ethnic communities of Hoa Binh province, particularly the Muong people, have preserved vibrant festivals deeply intertwined with the region’s geography, nature, and social traditions. These celebrations enrich Hoa Binh’s spiritual life and cultural identity, reflecting both folk beliefs and the intermingling of ethnic customs. Many of these festivals have endured the test of time, passed down through generations and continuing to thrive today. Among them, the Khai Ha (Going Down to the Field) festival stands out as one of the most significant events of the Muong ethnic group.
Muong calendar, known as sach doi, is an ancient folk knowledge system developed through observations of the movement of the pleiades star. This unique calendar consists of 12 bamboo sticks, each representing a lunar month. Specific days within each month are marked with distinct symbols, guiding locals in determining auspicious and inauspicious days for important activities.