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Vietnam's Cultural Spectacle: A Journey Through Hoi An Memories
Updated: Jun 16
Hoi An Memories is a large-scale live performance that takes place at the Hoi An Impression Theme Park in Hoi An, Vietnam. It's a spectacular show that tells the story of Hoi An's history and culture through music, dance, and elaborate sets.
Have you ever dreamt of stepping back in time and witnessing the vibrant tapestry of a historical town unfold before you? In Hoi An, Vietnam, that dream becomes reality at the Hoi An Memories Theme Park. This unique cultural destination offers a multi-layered experience that goes beyond just watching a show.
Imagine yourself captivated by the world's largest outdoor performance, featuring over 500 performers who bring the story of Hoi An to life through a mesmerizing fusion of music, dramatic scenes, and electrifying dance. The Hoi An Memories show is just the beginning! Delve deeper into the local way of life by exploring the Coconut Forest, where carefully choreographed performances unfold amidst a lush, seven-acre grove. Prepare to be transported to Hoi An's golden age as you wander through the vibrantly themed sections of the park, each one a beautiful snapshot of the town's rich history and cultural exchange.
Read on for all you need to know about our evening at Hoi An Memories, with our highlights, more information about the park and show, ticket details, opening times, valuable tips, and our specially curated YouTube video. Plus how to get here from Da Nang or within Hoi An!
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What is Hoi An Memories Land about?
Hoi An Memories Land is a unique theme park offering a multi-faceted experience that goes beyond just watching its centerpiece Hoi An Memories show (which we will cover later).
The park itself focuses on telling the story of Hoi An's transformation from a small village to a thriving international port, and the cultural exchange that shaped the city. Hoi An Memories Land is a celebration of Vietnamese culture. Within the park are sections housing architectural replicas that reflect Hoi An's unique heritage, such as miniature Japanese, Chinese and Vietnamese villages.
Throughout the park there are smaller themed performances, that occur at hourly intervals, with demonstrations of traditional crafts, and historical reenactments. This all leads up to the final nightly show, which focuses more on a unique love story that has been told through the generations.
Read on for our highlights, all you need to know before visiting including opening times, special ticket offers and information about how to get here.
Save for later: Magic in the Moonlight: Exploring Hoi An Night Market and lighting a candle at the Lantern Festival
What is the Lantern Festival? Find out here, along with history & facts, a boat tour, the ancient Hoi An Night Market and our YouTube video!
Our Hoi An Memories highlights
We were already on a high after spending a lovely couple of days in Da Nang and we were really excited to see wait Hoi An had to offer. We did not know all too much about its beautiful history, so Hoi An Memories was literally the perfect opportunity to do just that.
We were a little apprehensive at first, as we harboured a concern that it may be a little tacky, but honestly we had nothing to worry about. The park is put together extremely well, and the performances are the what it is all about. And they were great, before we even made it to the main show!
Each area of the park is zoned and as you walk through you are guided by staff who will keep you informed of the upcoming programs. It is all focused around the cultural history and journey of this old town, and it is as educational as it is fun and in some parts, pretty spectacular.
From ancient times, the story of bamboo houses and the influx of crafts and trade merchants is told. With so much influence from lands beyond, Hoi An evolved and grew with aplomb. In all of the sectors of the park the mini shows appear, from Geisha's to fighting tigers, wedding ceremonies to recruited soldiers. The areas are well decorated and free to browse around before and after the shows, although there is not much give in-between. Given the late opening of the park it did not leave a great deal of time to check things out, but perhaps just enough for some photos!
We have to say that it was all done really well, and we certainly felt the spirit of the place. We had been there for a good couple of hours before the grand show at the end, and we weren't all too sure what more there could be to show. But then at that point, we weren't prepared for the additional love story, which elevated everything to a whole new level! More on that in the next section.
The main objective of this park is to continue to keep the legend and history of Hoi An alive, and it delivers a great experience in that regard. We left with a far greater knowledge of Hoi An than we came in with, and that is all one can ask for! Perhaps our only regret was not getting any food in the magnificent bamboo restaurant (below), but we had actually eaten prior to coming and were just not hungry! It did seem a tad pricey but if you do have time we would recommend trying it, as it did look pretty good from what we saw.
Read on for more information on how to get there, visiting times and our Hoi An Memories experience rating.
The Hoi An Memories Show
The Hoi An Memories Show features over 500 performers who bring to life Hoi An's transformation from a small fishing village to a thriving international trading port over the course of 400 years. The audience is taken on a journey through different eras, witnessing scenes of rural life, traditional crafts, and bustling trade with Chinese, Japanese, and Western merchants.
It is performed in a grand outdoor arena and includes lasers, music and special visual affects. There is a pond in the center which imitates the Thu Bon River, huge town building props and some truly excellent performances from its actors,.
The show begins with the humble beginnings of Hoi An as a small agricultural village, which sees the villagers going about their daily lives, fishing, farming, and weaving. Hoi An goes on to became a major trading port in Southeast Asia, attracting merchants from all over the world.
The show depicts the interaction between different cultures, with scenes of Chinese traders, Japanese tea ceremonies, and European influences. It celebrates the traditional crafts and customs of Vietnam, with scenes like silk weaving, lantern making, and other traditional Vietnamese crafts.
The show also explores the human stories of Hoi An's past, with scenes of love, loss, and resilience. The performers come together in a colorful display of music, dance, and fireworks at the end, with it totally living up to its 'memories' name as we are still reminiscing about it months later. This show will not leave you!
Hoi An Memories opening times
⪢ The Hoi An Memories Theme Park is open from Wednesday to Monday, 3pm to 10pm. It is closed on Tuesdays.
⪢ The Hoi An Memories Show starts at 8 pm and lasts for an hour. We would suggest going into the stadium / seating area closer to 7pm as seats numbers are not allocated.
Hoi An Memories ticket prices
For entrance to the park itself, it is 25k VND (98 cents USD) for children and 50k VND ($1.97 USD) for adults.
Specific ticket prices for Hoi An Memories Show fluctuate depending on factors like season, seat selection, availability and ongoing promotions. For adults, prices can range from 600k to 1.4m VND, and for children there are tickets between 150k to 700k VND. You can find the price list on the official website.
Given the cheapest adult ticket for just the show starts at almost $24 USD, we would highly recommend saving money and booking through Klook.
● Get combo tickets for the park, show and dinner
● Also combine with a show boat and lantern release on the river
● Other combo options include coconut basket boat rides and pottery classes
Things to know before visiting Hoi An Memories
Here are a few important things that we think you should know to help you have a seamless experience in Hoi An:
⪢ Weather & Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Hoi An Memories Land is during the dry season, which runs from February to September. During this time, you can expect sunny skies and little rain. However, it can also be quite hot and humid, especially during the summer months (June to August).
⪢ Clothing & Respectful Attire
There is no strict dress code for Hoi An Memories Land, but it is recommended to dress modestly. Long pants or skirts and shirts with sleeves are ideal. This is respectful of Vietnamese culture and will also help you to be more comfortable in the hot and humid weather.
You'll also want to wear comfortable shoes as there will be some walking involved. Avoid wearing flip flops or sandals as you may end up taking them off for the show. An umbrella or hat can be useful for sun protection, especially if visiting during the hotter months.
⪢ Peak Times
Hoi An is a popular tourist destination, so expect larger crowds during peak season (December to April) and on weekends. If you want to avoid the crowds, try to visit during the shoulder seasons (May, June, September, and October).
⪢ Hoi An Memories Show
● Book tickets in advance: Especially during peak season, it's a good idea to book your tickets for the Hoi An Memories show online in advance. This will guarantee your spot and save you time waiting in line.
● Bring cash: While some vendors in the park may accept credit cards, it's always a good idea to bring cash with you. You can use it for snacks, drinks, souvenirs, or any other incidentals.
● Arrive early: If you want to get a good seat for the show, it's recommended to arrive early. The park opens around 5pm, and the show starts at 7:30pm. This will also give you some time to explore the park before the show.
⪢ Bonus Tip
Consider getting a Hoi An Ancient Town Entrance Ticket, which allows you to visit multiple attractions within the Ancient Town area. It's a cost-effective way to explore the city's historical sites and enjoy cultural activities.
How to get to Hoi An Memories Land
There are a few transport options available to get to Hoi An Memories Land, depending on your location and budget. It is located about 5 kilometers from Hoi An Ancient Town and about 30 kilometers from Da Nang City. Note that traffic in Hoi An can be congested, especially during peak season. Be sure to factor in some extra time for your journey if you're taking a taxi or private car.
⪢ Private Car
You can pre-book a private car service to take you directly to Hoi An Memories Land. This is a good option if you're traveling with a group or have a lot of luggage. Prices will vary depending on the company you choose, but expect to pay around 200,000 VND ($8.68 USD) or more.
⪢ By taxi
This is the most convenient option, especially if you're staying in Hoi An Ancient Town. You can easily hail a taxi on the street or ask your hotel to call one for you. The ride to Hoi An Memories Land should take around 15-20 minutes and cost approximately 100,00 VND ($4.34 USD).
⪢ By shuttle bus
The Hoi An Memories Land website sometimes offers information about shuttle bus services from Da Nang City to the theme park. This can be a more budget-friendly option, but it's important to check the availability and schedule in advance as they may not run daily.
Contact information
Address: Cồn Hến, rẽ trái, 200 Nguyễn Tri Phương, Cẩm Châu, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam
Phone: (+84) 904 636 600
Website: hoianmemoriesland.com
Facebook: @memoriesland.hoian
Getting to Hoi An from Da Nang
To get to Hoi An Night Market from Da Nang, there are a few transportation options you can choose from.
⪢ Private Car or Taxi
The most convenient and direct way to reach Hoi An from Da Nang is by hiring a private car or taking a taxi (in our opinion). You can easily find taxis at the airport or in the city center of Da Nang. This is the option we chose, and the journey from Da Nang to Hoi An took us around 30-40 minutes and cost $20 USD.
⪢ Shuttle Bus
Another option is to take a shuttle bus, which operates between Da Nang and Hoi An. These buses are available at designated bus stations or can be booked through tour agencies or your accommodation. The shuttle bus service is a more affordable option compared to a private car or taxi, but it may take a bit longer due to multiple stops along the way.
⪢ Motorbike
If you're comfortable riding a motorbike, you can rent one in Da Nang and ride to Hoi An. The route is straightforward and well-signposted, usually following the coastal road. However, be very cautious while riding and make sure you have a valid motorbike license and proper safety gear. From what we saw, things are pretty chaotic on the roads, so we would also recommend you have the necessary insurance, just to be safe.
⪢ Public Bus
Public buses also operate between Da Nang and Hoi An. You can catch a local bus at Da Nang Central Bus Station, which is located near the city center. The journey takes around one hour, and buses usually run at regular intervals throughout the day. However, the schedule might be less frequent in the evenings, so be sure to check the bus timings in advance.
Once you arrive in Hoi An, you can reach the Night Market by following the directions provided earlier. It's located in the Ancient Town along Nguyen Hoang Street, and you can easily explore the market on foot.
Watch our first impressions of Hoi An on YouTube
Join us on an unforgettable journey as we delve into the captivating city of Hoi An, Vietnam in 2023! Brace yourself for a whirlwind of emotions as we share our genuine first impressions and uncover the irresistible allure of this incredible destination.
If you enjoy our video and want to follow more of our adventures please do like and subscribe! Your support truly is invaluable to us and we will always strive to produce the best content we can from around the world!
Read more: A Day Trip to the Marble Mountains: A Perfect Way to Explore the Beauty of Da Nang in Vietnam
Uncover the hidden treasures of Marble Mountain and experience the harmony of nature and spirituality in this unforgettable destination.
Our Hoi An Memories experience rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
Hoi An Memories Theme Park and Show is worth every penny in our opinion! There is plenty to see in the park beforehand with 10 shows which are co-ordinated to give you enough time to reach each one. There are tons of photo opportunities, information boards in English to help you understand the meaning of the shows, and high-class standards from the performers.
Then of course we get to the main event itself, with in our opinion is nothing short of spectacular! So well done, excellently co-ordinated and definitely a memory that lives on for us. Even though the prices are a tad on the expensive side, it would be a total shame to come all the way to Hoi An and miss out on Memories!
As ever thank you for reading, and please feel free to share your experience, or ask any questions you may have, in the comments below. All feedback on the post is welcome too!
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Explore Hoi An with special offers from Klook
Klook offers a wide variety of tours to help you experience the best of Hoi An. Whether you're looking for a coconut boat ride, spas, or even a lantern making class, Klook has something to offer.
In addition to their wide selection of tours, Klook also offers great deals on transportation, accommodation, and activities. All tours are led by experienced guides who can help you learn about the history and culture of Vietnam. Klook's tours are all-inclusive too, so you don't have to worry about anything but enjoying your experience!
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