Cultural show brings myth, music to Vietnamese cave

After hosting classical concerts in Ha Long Bay’s Dau Go Cave and fireworks shows on cruise ships, Quang Ninh Province is now adding a new twist: a live theatrical performance paired with local cuisine, all set inside a giant sea cave in Cam Pha City.

Unveiled to tourism experts and journalists on Wednesday evening, the show – ‘In Search of the Dragon Pearl’ – transformed Ngoc Rong Cave into an immersive performance space filled with myth, folklore, and light.

A mystical stage

Located within the Vung Duc cave complex, Ngoc Rong is one of the few geological formations in the region large and stable enough to host such a spectacle.

The cavern spans over 4,000 square meters and soars up to nearly 16 meters in height, allowing fresh air to circulate freely – a rarity among show caves.

With its towering limestone columns, dramatic stalactites, and stable year-round temperature of 23 to 25 degrees Celsius, the cave becomes both a natural wonder and a cultural canvas.

Choreographed by artist Le Thanh Phong, the performance blends contemporary dance, circus elements, and modern Vietnamese pop music.

The storyline draws on Vietnamese mythology and local history, including the legend of Lac Long Quan and Au Co — a creation myth that explains the origins of the Vietnamese people — as well as the San Diu ethnic group’s fire-seeking tale and Quang Ninh’s coal-mining heritage.

“It’s not just a show – it’s a way of retelling who we are,” said Huynh Tu, the production’s music director.

Using subtle lighting to highlight the cave’s natural features, he said the team aimed to respect and amplify the cave’s unspoiled beauty, not mask it.

Balance of nature and culture

Cultural officials have praised the project as a creative step forward in sustainable tourism.

“This is a beautiful way to unite natural heritage with human imagination,” said Nguyen The Ky, a senior adviser to the show and vice-chairman of the Central Theoretical Council.

Tour operators, too, see potential.

“It gives visitors something more than just sightseeing – it’s emotional, it’s immersive,” a Vietravel representative said.

But some experts urge caution.

Lu Thi Thanh Le, a heritage and cultural industries scholar at the Vietnam National University-Hanoi, warned that long-term sustainability must remain front and center.

“Respecting the cave’s ecological and historical integrity is non-negotiable,” she said.

“Tourism should benefit the local community and protect the environment – not harm it.”

Provincial tourism officials said strict environmental checks were conducted before launching the show.

“We worked across departments to ensure no damage to the cave, its landscape or natural features,” said Nguyen Lam Nguyen, deputy director of Quang Ninh’s tourism department.

The show at Ngoc Rong is part of a broader effort to diversify Vietnam’s cultural tourism and spotlight lesser-known corners of Quang Ninh beyond Ha Long Bay.

With more than 24 large caves across the province, officials hope artistic experiences like these will draw visitors further inland – and deeper into Vietnam’s layered heritage.