Thing to do
Ben Thanh Market
The covered market of central Saigon, in its clock-towered building since 1914, selling food, coffee, crafts and clothing, with a night market on the streets outside.
A O Show
A Vietnamese bamboo circus by Lune Production at the Saigon Opera House, combining acrobatics, bamboo props and traditional music inspired by village life.
At a glance
- Type
- Bamboo circus show
- Area
- District 1 (Saigon), Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Official site
- luneproduction.com
Good to know
- Online tickets
- Live traditional music
- Held at the Saigon Opera House
Why we recommend it
The A O Show is the best-known performance for visitors to Ho Chi Minh City and a good reason to see inside the Saigon Opera House. It is produced by Lune Production, a Vietnamese company that describes its work as Vietnamese bamboo circus. The company has three shows: A O in Ho Chi Minh City, Lang Toi (My Village) in Hanoi and Teh Dar in Hoi An, and its website lists A O at the Saigon Opera House from 27 October 2026.
Bamboo is at the heart of the show. The director, Tuan Le, has explained that the team chose bamboo as the central material because it felt closest to the Vietnamese people. The company's productions draw on village life, including farming and fishing, and combine acrobatic feats and physical theatre. There are no animals involved. Because the story is told through movement, images and music rather than words, it works well for visitors who do not speak Vietnamese.
The music is a large part of the experience. Lune Production's shows use traditional instruments from different parts of the country, including the gongs of the Central Highlands peoples, the lute used in the northern Ca Tru tradition and the strings of southern Don Ca Tai Tu, styles recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage. Hearing them in a historic theatre completed in 1900 adds to the occasion.
Tickets can be bought through the Lune Production website, and booking ahead is sensible, especially in the high season and at weekends. Check the schedule for performance dates and times, which vary. The show suits families with children old enough to sit through a theatre performance, couples and anyone looking for an evening out that is quintessentially Vietnamese. Arrive early to admire the foyer and the building's facade, which is lit in the evening.
The Opera House stands on Lam Son Square in District 1, a short walk from Nguyen Hue Walking Street and many central hotels, and close to Opera House station on Metro Line 1. Many people book a table for dinner nearby before the show or head for a drink afterwards.
A O Show FAQs
What is the A O Show?
A Vietnamese bamboo circus by Lune Production, combining acrobatics, bamboo props and traditional music.
Where is it performed?
At the Saigon Opera House on Lam Son Square in District 1.
Do I need to understand Vietnamese?
No, the story is told through movement, images and music.
Are there animals in the show?
No, Lune Production's bamboo circus does not use animals.
How do I buy tickets?
Through the Lune Production website, where you can check dates and times.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes, for children old enough to sit through a theatre performance.
What music is used?
Traditional Vietnamese instruments, including Central Highlands gongs and instruments from the Ca Tru and Don Ca Tai Tu traditions.
How do I get there?
Opera House station on Metro Line 1 is nearby, and it is a short walk from Nguyen Hue Walking Street.