Inspired by the photographs and stories from the House of Heritage at 87 Ma May Street, "Chuyện Phố Hàng" recreates the daily life of a middle-class Hanoi family in the 1930s. The production goes beyond simply having actors inhabit their roles; through theatrical techniques, traditional dance, and sound design, "Chuyện Phố Hàng" offers the audience a deeper, more immersive understanding of Hanoi and Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage.
Through this program, the audience will engage all their senses: from the scent of medicinal herbs to a scene depicting a family working in medicine to save lives, and the enjoyment of lotus tea.
Nguyen Quoc Tinh, Director of Femor Company—the production organization behind the program—explained that the audience will have about an hour to experience the show, with the "Street Stories" performance lasting 36 minutes.
“Drawing inspiration from the history of the house at 87 Ma May, which once belonged to a family of traditional medicine makers, we wanted to tell the story of a family with a long history in the old town's medicinal craft. We incorporate various artistic elements such as physical theater and mime, with performances by Youth Theater artists,” Mr. Nguyen Quoc Tinh shared.
Following the "Street Stories" program, which focuses on the profession of medicine making, the production team plans to create additional stories about other craft streets within Hanoi’s 36 streets. Audiences will also have the opportunity to experience the sophistication and elegance of ancient Hanoi through exquisite handicrafts like silk fabrics, traditional hand embroidery, wood carvings, and lacquer work.
The organizing committee hopes the program will highlight the beauty of Vietnam’s traditional culture and promote the country’s image to international audiences. It is designed to stimulate interest in tourism and contribute to the socio-economic development of Hoan Kiem District and Hanoi as a whole.
The program is expected to be held every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
