Hoi An Teh Dar - Unique Bamboo Circus Under an Iconic Dome

The Lune Center Bamboo Dome

The show takes place at the Lune Center, a striking theatre at 1A Nguyen Phuc Chu, in Minh An Ward, close to Hoi An Ancient Town. Its rounded form is wrapped in bamboo, the material that shapes everything about this performance, and at dusk the dome glows warmly beside the river. Inside, the fully air-conditioned auditorium is a welcome relief after a hot day of sightseeing.

Arrive up to 30 minutes before the 18:00 show to collect your seat details, take photos of the dome outside and soak in the atmosphere. Seats are assigned automatically, first come, first served, when your booking is confirmed, so book everyone in your group in the same order to sit together. Your ticket is for the Aah! zone on the left and right wings, which offers good value but a more limited view of the stage than the central sections.

Teh Dar: Vietnam's Bamboo Circus

Teh Dar is a bamboo circus born in Vietnam, in which a single material becomes acrobatics, dance, music and storytelling. Every prop on stage is bamboo: tall poles that performers climb and balance on, giant round basket boats that spin and roll, and frames that become forests, villages and rivers. The style mixes traditional circus skills with contemporary dance, without words, so the show is easy to follow whatever your language.

For about 60 minutes the stage carries you into the Central Highlands of Vietnam, the plateau of forests and villages far inland from Hoi An. Most of the performers come from the ethnic minority communities of that region, and they tell their own stories: the hunt, the harvest, courtship and the spirits of nature. Travellers often call it one of the highlights of their entire trip to Vietnam, not only of their evening in Hoi An.

Live Music and the Culture of the Central Highlands

Music is at the heart of Teh Dar. A live ensemble plays traditional instruments of the highland peoples, with gongs, drums and bamboo instruments creating hypnotic rhythms that drive the acrobatics on stage. The gong culture of the Central Highlands has been recognised by UNESCO as a masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity, and hearing it live gives real depth to the show.

The costumes, songs and movements draw on the rituals of villages where communal houses, harvest festivals and gong ceremonies mark the year. You do not need any background to enjoy it, but knowing that the performers are sharing their own heritage makes the experience more meaningful. Please note that cameras, video recording and mobile phones are not allowed during the performance, so simply sit back and watch.

Hoi An Ancient Town in the Evening

The show finishes at about 19:00, just as Hoi An Ancient Town is at its most beautiful. The old trading port, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, was one of the busiest harbours of Southeast Asia from the 15th to the 19th century, and its yellow merchant houses, Chinese assembly halls and the Japanese Covered Bridge still line the narrow streets.

After dark, thousands of silk lanterns light up the lanes and the riverbank of the Thu Bon, and small boats carry paper lanterns on the water. Combining Teh Dar with an evening walk and dinner in the old town is one of the best things to do in Hoi An at night. The theatre is within walking distance of the centre, so there is no need to arrange extra transport.