Nguyễn Đức Huy has his own way of arousing interest in Vietnamese hát bội (classical opera) – painting hát bội characters in a chibi style.

The HCM City Hát Bội Theatre will launch a new programme offering hát bội or tuồng (classical drama) performances for foreign visitors as part of the theatre’s efforts to introduce Vietnamese theatre to the world.   

The Tây Đô Theatre of Cần Thơ City will launch its new free programme offering cải lương (reformed opera), hát bội or tuồng (classical drama) performances for young audiences as part of the theatre’s efforts to preserve the traditional art.     

The HCM City’s Culture and Sports Department has worked with Trần Hữu Trang Cải Lương Theatre to offer free traditional performances targeted to young people this month.

A workshop on tò he, small, colourful figurines made from glutinous rice powder, and traditional art will be held at The Factory Contemporary Arts Centre on June 9.

Faced with financial difficulties, theatre troupes in HCM City are working to attract audiences back to tuồng or hát bội (classical drama), a Vietnamese traditional theatre that originated in the 12th century, according to industry insiders.

A major project on developing an arts industry in HCM City by 2020, with a vision to 2030, has been submitted to the city People’s Committee.

People’s Artist, theatre director and scriptwriter Đinh Bằng Phi, a leading tuồng or hát bội (classical drama) performer in the 1980s-90s, will stage a mini live show in HCM City tonight (November 9).