The two-hour show at the Pagoda Bridge over the Hoai River will transport the audience back to a prosperous era of Hoi An as a port town, from the 16th to 18th centuries and 20th century, and tales of the iconic Pagoda Bridge.

There will also be stories about mulberry cultivation, silkworm farming, silk making, pottery, and traditional singing told through dancing, singing and monologue.

The show's 150 actors will comprise of professionals, including an ethnic Cham troupe from Ninh Thuan Province and 30 foreign actors playing traders and tourists, and ordinary folks.

The outdoor stage near the Pagoda Bridge and Hoai River would not be blocked off from its surroundings, and the open space would take spectators back in history, Nguyen Quang Vinh, the writer and director of the show, said.

Routine activities will not be stopped for the show, and people can still visit and stroll around the Pagoda Bridge while the performances are going on.

The event is held to celebrate the 46th anniversary of the liberation of Hoi An, a UNESCO cultural heritage site, and offer a thank-you gift to tourists who continued to support Hoi An during difficult times amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The show could become a regular event in the coming time, but with smaller scales.

Hoi An plans to host a series of tourist activities from March 20 to May 1, including the ‘Night of Hoi An Ancient Town’ (March 26) and ‘Lights off for Earth Hour’ (March 27).