Inspired by Vietnamese culture, Meritorious Artist/Director Nguyễn Thị Thanh Hằng has successfully organised landscape subject-live performances that have been widely applauded by domestic and foreign audiences. The shows that use real scenery in open air performances often blend natural settings, dance, and visual art to convey cultural narratives. The director has worked on outdoor performances in The Mong Show – Sa Pa Lặng Lẽ Yêu, the Ninh Bình Tràng An Festival 2023, and the opening ceremony of the Hạ Long Carnival Festival 2024. Quỳnh Anh of Việt Nam News spoke with the director about her career.

ALL STYLE: Meritorious Artist/Director Nguyễn Thị Thanh Hằng. Photos courtesy of the artist

Inner Sanctum: What led you to work with landscape subject-live performances?

Returning to Việt Nam after years studying abroad, I asked myself what I could devote and add to this beautiful country’s culture.

Then I had the chance to choreograph the nature-based show Ký ức Hội An (Hội An Memories) working with renowned Chinese director Mei Shuaiyuan.

While the show drew many audiences, including foreign visitors, it relied on a recreated natural setting rather than an existing one.

After four years, I moved to an advisory role for the show and decided to create my own open air performances.

Inner Sanctum: What are the advantages and limitations of landscape subject-live performances?

The key aspect of a nature-based performance is using natural settings to tell a story. Natural elements always draw curiosity, and when we harmonise with nature, our performance becomes more vivid.

However, natural conditions are unpredictable and can significantly impact the outcome, sometimes posing challenges.

Like the opening ceremony of the Hạ Long Carnival Festival 2024 performing outdoors on sand and also using a floating stage on the beach required us to deal with tides, weather, and other variables, requiring careful planning and contingency measures.

Inner Sanctum: What motivates you to continue despite such challenges?

The encouragement and feedback from the audiences after each show deeply impacted me. Locals seeing their both daily lives and culture reflected on stage beamed and felt a deep pride in their homeland.

A Chăm ethnic told me: “A festival like this (Ninh Bình Tràng An Festival 2023) is not just for watching but for loving and being loved.”

I recall a Mông ethnic child in The Mông Show who initially resisted learning traditional songs of her ethnic group and ended up eager to learn after participating in our show.

They felt a deeper love for their country and culture after such events, which is the core value.

Inner Sanctum: Culture is the essence of a nation. What are the most effective ways for conveying it?

Vietnamese culture is rich and diverse, but this diversity also presents many risks.

Even a short cultural product is significantly shaping the audience's perspectives.

When cultural creators tell stories, not only for themselves, they also touch upon fundamental aspects of national culture and identity. How they present and develop their work must be done with deep consideration and responsibility.

At the same time, everything should start from the roots, the culture of any ethnic group should be preserved and represented by its people.

Inner Sanctum: How do you ensure nature is not harmed in these settings?

We strive for harmony by blending culture with nature and other elements into a cohesive artistic narrative, while valuing all factors and especially preserving the environment. We avoid actions that negatively impact nature.

In Ninh Bình Tràng An Festival 2023, we used wooden piles that could be removed for the stage without altering the original natural setting.

Inner Sanctum: What elements make a nature-based performance appealing to international visitors?

These performances allow the world to see our landscapes, cultural heritage, and tourism fully.

The true distinction appealing to foreigners comes from being authentically Vietnamese, not by imitating others.

In the opening ceremony of the Hạ Long Carnival Festival 2024, we invited art troupes from other countries to perform together but mainly focused on telling local stories, and ancient Vietnamese culture.

While global integration is a trend, we must first affirm our own core identity.

IN THE LIMELIGHT: Nguyễn Thị Thanh Hằng on stage with Latvian artists.

Inner Sanctum: It seems like organising a nature-based performance requires huge funding. Can you elaborate?

The cost of each nature-based performance depends on the programme's scale.

Moreover, high costs are justifiable if the programme has lasting value, supports tourism, and attracts investment.

Besides this, we’re also exploring international grants, like those from the British Council, which has funds to support cultural projects.

Inner Sanctum: You primarily choose local actors for your show. How can you persuade local amateur actors to commit and participate?

Managing a large number of non-professionals from local residents, including ethnic minority communities, adds complexity.

It's important to ensure fair compensation and good treatment for the performers.

We also strove to make them know that their participation was a valuable contribution to preserving and showcasing the region’s culture, not just an extra job.

Inner Sanctum: Have foreigners accessed the cultural content of your work in Việt Nam? Is providing translations and subtitles crucial?

Foreign visitors to The Mong Show have shown admiration and respect for the local culture and people.

Regarding the performance, subtitles for the names of acts and scenes are important.

With programmes that run frequently, like Hội An Memories, we offer subtitles in multiple languages, including Chinese, English, Vietnamese, or provide translation headsets.

The essence of art, however, can often transcend language barriers through visual and auditory experiences. If visitors are left intrigued and choose to explore more about what they have seen, then that is a true measure of success. VNS