Theatres and live shows in Ho Chi Minh City offer impressive acrobatic, dance, and music performances by talented local artists – perfect for travelling families looking to entertain the little ones after a full day of sightseeing. Depicting the culture, traditions and folklore of Vietnamese life, cultural shows remain one of the cultural draws for most travellers to Ho Chi Minh City thanks to the colourful display of traditional costumes, folklore songs, and authentic music instruments.
Most of these performances are held in the picturesque Ho Chi Minh Opera House, an elegant French colonial building with an 800-seat capacity. Accessible within a five-minute walk from Notre Dame Cathedral and the classic Central Post Office, tickets can be purchased at the box office, which is open every day from 09:00 to 16:30. Read on for our guide on live performances and cultural shows in Saigon, some of which can be combined with a night tour of the city if you’re looking to enjoy Ho Chi Minh City’s busy nightlife scene after the curtains have closed.
Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater
The Golden Dragon Water Puppetry Theatre is where you can learn about the culture, traditions and folklore of Vietnamese life during your holiday in Ho Chi Minh City. Located in Tao Dan Park, visitors are entertained by puppets acting on a ‘stage’ of water accompanied by live old-fashioned music played on authentic instruments. Dialogues are performed entirely in Vietnamese, but the puppet gestures are obvious enough to understand the many sketches throughout the show. You can also opt for an evening tour combining the Golden Dragon Water Puppetry Theatre with a cyclo tour through the city, followed with a buffet dinner cruise along the Saigon River.
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- Opening Hours: Daily 18:00 – 22:00
- Location: 55B Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
A O Show by Lune Production
A O Show by Lune Production is held at the iconic Saigon Opera House. It features optical illusions and impressive acrobatics, paired with traditional music performances by a troupe of talented local artists. Known as the Cirque du Soleil of Vietnam (minus the flashy outfits), this live show depicts the transition of rural Vietnam to today’s modern landscape using props such as giant woven baskets, scaffolding, bamboo canes, and ropes. After the show, guests can mingle with the local dancers and musicians, as well as explore the remarkable French-designed architecture of Saigon Opera House.
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- Opening Hours: 18:00 & 20:00
- Location: Saigon Opera House, 7 Cong Truong Lam Son, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
The Mist by Lune Production
The Mist by Lune Production features six sketches of the daily lives of Vietnamese farmers in the form of symbolic dance movements and traditional music. Offering an authentic experience for the audience, performers are dressed in traditional costumes and rural props that were used back in the olden days. Scenes include farmers tending to rice fields, contemporary and ballet dancing, as well as acrobatic performances. Held several days a week in Saigon Opera House at 18:00, we highly recommend booking well in advance as it’s one of the most popular live shows in Ho Chi Minh City.
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- Opening Hours: 18:00
- Location: Saigon Opera House, 7 Cong Truong Lam Son, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
The Touch Of Masters’ Hands: Vietnamese Authentic Cultural Show
The Touch of Masters’ Hands: Vietnamese Authentic Cultural Show caters to travellers looking to learn about Vietnam’s many regions such as history, music genres, and instruments. The show stands out from most cultural shows in Ho Chi Minh City as it doesn’t use any form of sound amplifiers, offering a truly authentic musical performance. Catering to an international audience, an experienced host offers detailed explanations in English, French, Japanese, and Vietnamese throughout the show. Best of all, you are also served with three types of premium tea, various types of Vietnamese cookies and candies, as well as enjoy the chance to learn how to play instruments after the show.
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- Opening Hours: Saturday 19:30 – 20:45
- Location: Phuong Bao Music Center, 11 Bis Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Tel: +84 90 836 1368
Teh Dar: Vietnamese Tribal Culture
Teh Dar: Vietnamese Tribal Culture features a vibrant display of circus arts, aerial acrobatics, and tribal music within an hour-long performance. Held in the iconic Ho Chi Minh Opera House, this show highlights the lives of tribal families from the southwest highlands of Vietnam using UNESCO-listed percussion instruments such as Vietnamese gongs and buffalo horns. A good choice for travelling families, expect vibrant costumes, authentic Vietnamese stories, and a stunning bamboo cirque depicting various landscapes and creatures from tribal folklores. Tickets are priced at VND 630,000 for second-floor seats, VND 1,470,000 for first floor seats, and VND 1,050,000 for ground floor seats.
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- Opening Hours: 18:00 – 19:00
- Location: Saigon Opera House, Ho Chi Minh City