Asia
Vietnam
Hanoi
Things to do in Hanoi
The Quintessence of Tonkin
See all things to do

The Quintessence of Tonkin

See all things to do
See all things to do
The Quintessence of Tonkin
4.5
192 reviews
#6 of 32 Theatre & Concerts in Hanoi
Theatre & Performances
Read more
19:00 - 20:00
Monday
19:00 - 20:00
Tuesday
19:00 - 20:00
Wednesday
19:00 - 20:00
Thursday
19:00 - 20:00
Friday
19:00 - 20:00
Saturday
19:00 - 20:00
Sunday
19:00 - 20:00
Write a review
About
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Admission tickets
from €48.14
All you need to step foot in the door.
Full view
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.

Top ways to experience The Quintessence of Tonkin and nearby attractions

The area
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
3,528 within 5 kms
Gia Restaurant
34
0.2 km€€€€ • Vietnamese
KOTO Van Mieu
30
0.1 kmInternational • Vietnamese
Salmonoid
165
0.5 km€€ - €€€ • French • Seafood • European
ESSENCE Restaurant
4,850
0.9 km€€ - €€€ • Asian • Vietnamese • Healthy
AIRA Sky Bar & Lounge
184
0.9 km€€ - €€€ • Bar • Wine Bar • Dining bars
Cong Ca Phe
36
0.2 km€ • Cafe • Vietnamese • Diner
The Railway Hanoi ( Choo Choo Cafe )
162
0.9 km€ • Brew Pub • Cafe • Vietnamese
Muoi Tieu - Salt n' Pepper Kitchen
173
0.9 km€€ - €€€ • Cafe • European • Contemporary
Van Mieu Deli
28
0.2 km€€ - €€€ • Asian • Vietnamese • Vegetarian Friendly
Cafe Van Mieu
28
0.3 km€ • Fast food • Asian • Vietnamese
See all
Attractions
230 within 10 kms
M Space Galerry
1
0.2 mArt Galleries
Temple of Literature & National University
11,042
94 mHistoric Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Ho Van - Van Mieu
11
0.1 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Bich Cau Temple
1
0.1 kmReligious Sites
Nguyen Art Gallery in Hanoi
13
0.2 kmArt Galleries
Fine Arts Museum (Bao Tang My Thuat)
1,108
0.4 kmArt Museums
Lotus Train
69
0.4 kmPublic Transportation Systems
Crown Poker Club
1
0.3 kmCasinos
Cazo Tailor
43
0.6 kmShopping Malls
Old Quarter
28,532
2.2 kmNeighbourhoods • Historic Walking Areas
See all
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
We perform checks on reviews
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
192 reviews
Excellent
154
Very good
22
Average
7
Poor
3
Terrible
6
Lorelie F
Clayton, UK33 contributions
Out door show
Jan 2020
Excellent show covering so many aspects of Vietnam life and culture through music and lights set on a lake a bus ride out of town. Transportation included in ticket. It is outside so need a jacket. Can have a meal at the sight or take your own although it appeared that most people paid for a meal. The food looked good!
Written 23 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
spideylover
fort worth, TX49 contributions
Not worth it
Dec 2019 • Couples
Sorry to be a debby downer, but it sooooooooooo is not worth seeing this show. You leave your hotel at 4:40 for a 5 o'clock pickup, then drive AN HOUR AND A HALF to get there, see it, then another hour and half back to arrive at 9:45. Not even close to worth the hassle.
Written 31 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Renny V
Mumbai34 contributions
Great Potential
Dec 2019
What works: The USP of this show are the farmer-turned actors, standing on stage telling the story of their own ordinary lives. The landscape, the technical resources, the basic ambience, everything is super impressive.

What needs to be worked on:
The storytelling aspect. Throughout the show, I kept wondering what exactly is the show about. What does Tonkin refer to is something I had to figure out using Google sources, when that needs to be a quintessential part of the Quintessence of Tonkin.
Review of: The Quintessence of Tonkin
Written 26 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lothar
Auckland Central, New Zealand66 contributions
Vietnamese Must-See Show
Without doubt one of the very best cultural shows I have ever seen in my life and on my world-wide travels.
Our guide, Tranh, was very professional, very polite with superb English.
To describe this cultural show is covered by one statement: spectacular and stunningly impressive and beautiful.
If you ever have the pleasure being in Hanoi, this is another one of the MUST-TO-DO items on the traveller's itinerary. A very moving and wonderful experience. Consider to buy a Platium Ticket (seats are very comfortable and the seatings are in a covered area with the ultimate best view).
Review of: The Quintessence of Tonkin
Written 19 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dung
1 contribution
Vietnam show
Oct 2019
Amazing Vietnam show. Locals performers are very crowed so it make this show is close to the daily life of Northern people. Must try!!!
Review of: The Quintessence of Tonkin
Written 1 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
stephen l
Subang Jaya, Malaysia2 contributions
Beyond my own expectations!
Nov 2019 • Couples
Do read up on the short storyline in the website before watching the show so that you can understand the show better. The amateur performers are locals but they performed very naturally. The special effects (laser, lighting, water, real animals, water puppets and props) are well blended into the 1hr+ show.

Do come earlier if possible as you can play experience the local games with the children (performers) before the show and some simple food and beverages.
Review of: The Quintessence of Tonkin
Written 1 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
RGSCEW
Australia461 contributions
Brilliant, entertaining and enlightening
Oct 2019
This is a fabulous show with over 300 amateur local performers. The staging and props are first class and combine to give the audience an outstanding spectacle. As the story unfolds it relives the cultural emergence of Northern Vietnam through Buddhism, art and nostalgia. Whilst it is all in Vietnamese, regardless of your language, this show is not to be missed when in Ha Noi. Make sure you book and use transport on offer and note that depending on local traffic, the time you arrive may change.
Review of: The Quintessence of Tonkin
Written 20 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jo and Mike
8 contributions
Well worth the visit
Oct 2019
Great performance and light show. It also employs a lot of staff, which I assume are local. I have seen other shows in different countries and this is up there with those.It really is worth visiting.
Review of: The Quintessence of Tonkin
Written 10 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jun Tran
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam25 contributions
New attraction near Hanoi
Aug 2019 • Solo
Good performance, nice job of local artists
But the organizer should review check in flow to not bỏthering honest guests
Review of: The Quintessence of Tonkin
Written 3 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Giang Hana
8 contributions
Must see in Hanoi
Nov 2018
I have been 3 times to this show, and I still love it.
It s something unique and very Vietnamese. You will experience the art, the culture in this show.
I have seen many many shows in Hanoi and another countries. But this is the most impressed show I have ever seen in my life.
Written 1 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
2
…
Showing results 1-10 of 96
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Anything missing or inaccurate?
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing

THE QUINTESSENCE OF TONKIN (Hanoi) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about The Quintessence of Tonkin
The Quintessence of Tonkin is open:
  • Sun - Sat 19:00 - 20:00
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
The Quintessence of Tonkin admission prices can vary. Entrance tickets currently cost €48.13, while a popular guided tour starts around €1,072.20 per person. See all 3 The Quintessence of Tonkin tickets and tours on Tripadvisor
The Quintessence of Tonkin tickets are known to sell out fast, and same-day tickets may not be available. We recommend booking e-tickets tickets ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 3 The Quintessence of Tonkin tickets and tours on Tripadvisor