Titled Do (Poonah), the production incorporates traditional materials such as paper fans, woven mats and do paper, reflecting an effort to bridge contemporary creativity with modern artistic expression.
Organisers said the ballet develops a new movement vocabulary, blending academic dance techniques with the rhythms of everyday Vietnamese life. The performance features a reimagined score of Antonio Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, creating an immersive stage experience.
Structured around Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, the work symbolises renewal and artistic freedom. It explores the interaction between tradition and modernity, combining Eastern cultural sensibilities with contemporary ballet aesthetics.
The production brings together 20 dancers from the Vietnam National Opera and Ballet, alongside performers Vu Ngoc Khai, Phan Luong and experimental artist Ha Tu Thien. Choreography inspired by rural life, including fishing, farming and daily labour, aims to capture the cultural and spiritual essence of Vietnam.
General director Huong Na Tran said the work reflects a deep appreciation for Vietnam’s people, landscape and heritage. The creative team aims to deliver a refined stage production rooted in national identity while offering a contemporary artistic perspective.
By placing Vietnamese culture at its core, the ballet signals a growing creative direction that draws on heritage as a source of innovation, presenting tradition through a modern lens and contributing a distinct Vietnamese voice to the global arts scene.
