Công viên Ấn tượng Hội An — Attraction in Hội An

Breathtaking, mesmerizing, impeccable - words fail. A very special ‘must see’ activity in Hoi An. I suggest booking ahead for the Memories Show. It wasn’t full (Friday March 14/25) but I imagine March isn’t their busiest season (?).

They advertise the Memories Show as the “best in the World. I can’t disagree with that and I’ve seen the Oberammergau and other outdoor shows such as the Calgary Stampedes Young Canadians Show, plus every indoor production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s and although the former Oberammergau is a close 2nd as far as outdoor productions go, the Memories Show is in a class all by itself!

There is a cast of a few hundred people, magnificent lighting and costuming as well as rehearsed movement, co-ordination and choreography. The show also takes advantage of creative set design including a large ship with huge sails that are utilized for video as well as colourful ‘row housing’, bursts of flame around the lake perimeter - and fireworks to end with.

A final note: If you do book a Tour, they usually ‘pick you up’ at around 5:15-5:40+ - however, the Show doesn’t start til 8pm and the Park opens at 4pm. Go earlier if you can.

The event takes place in an area two or three times the size of a football field with a large water feature that covers approximately 100 yds by 40 yds. The Show is a reflection of the history and culture of Hoi An. Unfortunately, no pictures are allowed although you can likely find some in a few of the over 8 million reviews online, because there were at least a dozen absolute morons in the audience who took photos and actually are stupid enough to post them. If the Management had the courage to sue them or simply have them removed from the show AS THEY ANNOUNCED THEY WOULD DO several times before the show started!!!!! Note: to Management: Please ENFORCE the promise of removal and have Security remove pictures from their phones under the authority of Trademark/ Copyright laws (press charges if you find multiple photos or videos - protect your rights but more importantly, DO WHAT YOU SAY YOU ARE GOING TO DO as the Staff are simply NOT doing their job. It’s annoying for everyone!

Anyhow, there is a pre-show Show on the island and it is magnificently done. Fortunately, you were allowed to take pictures and I have a few plus...

This is a small theme park focussing more on the night show than anything. It opens at around 4 pm and provides you with some small side shows prior to seeing the night show. Some are nice to watch and some are downright boring. There are many souvenir shops and eateries while you wait for the night show which starts at 8 pm. Majority of the crowd who watches the night show are tour groups who only come to watch the show and nothing else. So its quite quiet until the hordes arrived and you can enjoy some solitude and take some nice pictures. There are some nice photo spots too. The crowd will start forming around 7 pm at the theatre, however no need to rush with the crowd as the waiting time will kill you. There are sufficient seats and you can still see the whole spectacle by sitting anywhere regardless. The show is the money spinner for them judging by the crowd and ticket price. Its one hour long consisting of 5 acts depicting the rise of hoi an and its importance. Nice show with many performers and lights and they discouraged any photo taking during the performance. . While going back, the bridge is beautifully lit with myriad colours. The only drawback is this is the only entry/ exit point and the small lane leading out to the main road is jam packed with tour buses waiting to pick up the tour groups. Its best if you can pre-arranged some transport home as getting a public transport at this hour is quite difficult. As this will mark the end of your exploration of hoi an, it is still an enjoyable experience. If you ate coming on your own, i think buying a ticket at the counter located at the bridge which opens at 4 pm is still ok on weekdays but not too sure about...

We arrived at the Hoi An Memory Show about two hours early, which gave us ample time to explore and take beautiful photos around the park. The lush landscapes and traditional architecture provided stunning backdrops for our pictures. While the gift shops have rather high prices, there are a variety of food options available, including delicious Vietnamese cuisine and a Chinese restaurant managed by the theme park itself.

The park typically offers small shows scattered throughout the area before the main event, adding to the lively atmosphere. Unfortunately, these were not available during our visit due to the country’s mourning period for the death of their General Secretary.

The main show, however, was absolutely breathtaking. The stage was enormous, with impressive sets and a large cast of performers. The coordination and choreography were outstanding, making the performance a visual spectacle. It was not only aesthetically pleasing but also culturally enriching. The intricate performances and vivid storytelling provided deep insights into the local culture and history, from ancient traditions to modern influences.

One of the highlights was seeing the show from the vantage point of the grandstand, which offered a panoramic view of the entire stage and allowed us to fully appreciate the scale and grandeur of the performance. The vibrant costumes and elaborate props added to the overall splendor.

I’m very glad I attended the show; it was a truly memorable and enriching experience that I would highly recommend to anyone...