My wife and I went to the A O performance early December at the 8:30pm show. We were a bit skeptical based on a few reviews that sounded like the show may be a bit disappointing. After some debate we decided to take a chance and we were glad we did.
No it isn’t Las Vegas or Broadway, but the performers were exceedingly enthusiastic. Even the young staff members that help seat you and take tickets were helpful and friendly.
We purchased floor seats, which I would recommend. The other option is the back balcony, or Wow seats which were a bit more expensive but would provide a great view also. I would not recommend the left or right (side) balconies as the view could be obstructed.
The show interprets Vietnamese life starting as farmers to current day. While the language is Vietnamese, the performance is easy enough to understand via the actions of the performers. Don’t let that be a concern.
I wouldn’t specifically call it an acrobatic show, but at time there are some good acrobatic performances. The music is all or mostly live and was also good. They really rock at one point when depicting current times.
The Saigon Opera House is nice to see, but it has had a difficult life and some wear and tear shows. We arrived at 7:30 to hear a very short history of the Opera House. It definitely isn’t imperative to do that, but some of the background was interesting.
Again, not broadway, not the Paris Opera House. If you’re a visitor, you came to Vietnam for a reason, to experience the culture and traditions. The performers were genuinely happy, like just about everyone we’ve met in Vietnam, to provide a good time and showcase their country. And they did just that.
We were definitely glad we went.