Cave dining in Vietnam and a show that deep-dives into culture
Featuring very local northern Vietnamese cuisine, and accompanied by a 2.5-hour show, the setting is the Dragon Pearl Cave, about 30 minutes' drive from Ha Long City.
The cave is one of the biggest in the Bai Tu Long area of Vietnam's Cam Pha district, extending for 4000sqm. It is actually 45m above sea level.
And the dinner-and-show seems a natural progression for Dragon Pearl, which is one of a complex of five caves in Vung Duc, as locals call it 'a theatre inside a mountain' because of its two chambers, which have many stalagmites and stalactites.
+ There is a 45-minute cultural show called 'The Quest for the Dragon Pearl'. created by director Le Thanh Phong. A spokesperson for the Dragon Pearl team explains: 'With stalagmites setting the stage, the show's performers harness music, dance, acrobatics, music, dramatic lighting effects, compelling costumes, puppetry and props to bring Vietnamese folklore to life. The legend of the sacred Dragon Pearl makes for an epic journey of power, peace and the unity of heaven and Earth.'
+ There is then Vietnamese fine dining by candlelight. Head Chef Nguyen Gia Thien's set menu takes diners on a culinary pilgrimage of the local Quang Ninh Province. Appetisers include pomelo and giant river prawn salad, grilled Van Don oysters with scallop sauce and hand-pounded Co To squid cakes. Main courses include crispy roasted Tien Yen chicken, grilled sea bass in wild dzong leaves, lobster with Tien Vua imperial sauce and Gat Gu rolls and braised Khau Nhuc pork. Then there is Golden Dragon Pearl dessert and Yen Tu golden flower tea.
The launch of the cave dining spectacle is a significant step for for Quang Ninh tourism, says Nguyen Hong Nhat, general director of APC Corporation, which is not only behind the spectacular event but the boutique cruise line Ambassador Cruise.
'The Quest for the Dragon Pearl diversifies Quang Ninh's tourism, offering more for travellers to discover beyond famed Ha Long Bay and repositioning our province as a leading cultural and experiential destination,' he says.
'This ancient cave is a new cultural landmark that, through storytelling, natural wonder, and refined hospitality, promotes sustainable, heritage tourism and creates lasting economic and cultural impact for Quang Ninh.'
The event costs $85 (1,450,000 Vietnamese dong).
dragonpearlcave.com
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