The whole project with special architecture, including the theater, was invested with great expense and was confirmed as a Vietnamese record.
Referring to the famous tourist attractions of the Mekong Delta region, tourists often think of Can Tho with Ninh Kieu wharf, floating markets and rivers, to Ben Tre with leaning coconut trees or to Ca Mau cape. However, few people know that in this area there is also an extremely rich Bac Lieu.
Bac Lieu is the provincial capital of Bac Lieu province, located in the northeast of the province, on the bank of the canal of the same name. Bac Lieu city is about 110km from Can Tho city and about 50km from Ca Mau cape.
In addition to the typical features of the western region of the Mekong Delta, in Bac Lieu, there is also a theater with very special architecture. It is Cao Van Lau theater and the area of Bac Lieu Province Cultural and Art Exhibition Center.
Cao Van Lau Theater with unique architecture.
The work was completed and built-in 2014, at Hung Vuong Square, Ward 1, Bac Lieu city, including a theater block, a gallery and a Convention Center. Cao Van Lau Theater was born to pay respect and gratitude to the late musician Cao Van Lau.
One of his most famous works is the song “Da Co Hoai Lang”. This is also one of the most unique and famous songs of Vietnamese reformed art.
Conical roof architecture
What makes Cao Van Lau Theater and Bac Lieu Provincial Cultural and Arts Exhibition Center a must-see destination on your trip to Bac Lieu is its unique architecture. It is a roof design in the shape of 3 giant cones. This roof architecture is also set a record as “The theater with the largest three conical hats in Vietnam”.
The image of the conical hat is a symbol of Southern culture in particular and Vietnam in general in particular. In addition, the meaning of the three roofs of conical hats together is even more profound, as it is a symbol of three ethnic groups in Bac Lieu, that is, the Kinh – the Chinese – the Khmer. It represents the solidarity and attachment between ethnic groups.
Roof architecture when viewed from above.(Photo of Cao Van Lau Theater)
According to information on Architecture Magazine, architect (Architect) Vuong Hoang Le shared: “When receiving the invitation to design Cao Van Lau Theater on the occasion of Bac Lieu’s event to host the Festival to recognize Dan Ca Tai Tu as the As a world cultural heritage site, I had the opportunity to learn about this cultural rich land, learn about the subject of reformation, which has been imbued in the blood of the people here.
With the desire to design a theater that conveys historical and cultural values but at the same time must be familiar, the image of a farmer’s charming conical hat in the field has become a source of inspiration. inspiration for the design. Because, nothing is closer to the Vietnamese people than the conical hat from production labor, daily life and even poetry.
3 hats are 3 different buildings, in which 2 large cones are placed face to face, the other is smaller, creating balance. This creates harmony for the overall floor plan, with the main block and the sub-block.
Photos of the process of drawing up the design and construction of a special conical roof project.(Photo by Architecture Magazine)
The total area of both the campus and the theater is up to 2,262m2. Besides the image of 3 giant conical hats, the space of Cao Van Lau theater is also painted by coconut trees behind or a lotus pond in front of the main theater area. In the middle of the lake is a path that curves along the length of the lake, leading visitors into the sightseeing area.
In the evening, the water surface area of the lake is also exploited for light effects to make the whole theater appear more shimmering and fanciful.
Currently, Cao Van Lau theater regularly organizes performing arts activities, including subjects such as cai luong, parachute, traditional and contemporary music, dance, and music to serve the local people as well as the local people. like tourists.
The building at night is extremely beautiful with additional lighting effects.
Through these activities, besides entertainment, the theater also wants to preserve, transmit the profession and promote the traditional artistic values of the nation.
In addition, in recent years, thanks to the connection with travel companies, Cao Van Lau theater has also built a number of general art programs, specifically serving each group of needs.
Performances at Cao Van Lau theater to serve visitors.(Photo Vietnam Travel)
Other must-see destinations when coming to Bac Lieu
To move to Bac Lieu, if departing from Ho Chi Minh City or the provinces located in the Mekong Delta, visitors can take a bus. If you go by plane, you will land at Ca Mau airport, then continue driving about 50km to Bac Lieu.
Besides Cao Van Lau theater, on the journey to Bac Lieu, visitors cannot miss other equally unique attractions.
The name Duke of Bac Lieu was extremely famous and known by many people, so the home of Prince Bac Lieu also became a tourist destination visited by many tourists when coming to Bac Lieu.
The Prince’s House in Bac Lieu.(Photos of Western Tourism)
This is the memorial house of Hac Cong Tu, located at 13, Dien Bien Phu Street, Ward 3, Bac Lieu City. When coming here, visitors will be able to visit the housing space and memorabilia associated with the life of the Duke of Bac Lieu’s family. Besides, listening to stories about the life of this famous man in the South for a while.
Wind power field belonging to Bac Lieu Wind Power Plant is also a new tourist destination in Bac Lieu that has been interested in recent times. This area is 20km from the city center, there are turbines like giant pinwheels.
Wind power field in Bac Lieu.(Photos of Western Tourism)
The factory is a place to promote the exploitation of clean energy sources, protect the environment, and is also one of the attractive tourist destinations of Bac Lieu because of its majestic and beautiful scenery. It has created a complete difference in the tourism picture of the province, not overlapping with other localities in the Mekong Delta.
According to information on the New Hanoi Newspaper, before the time of the Covid-19 epidemic, this place attracted about 200,000 visitors a year.
As a land rich in cultural traditions and beliefs, Bac Lieu also possesses many impressive religious buildings. Among them can be mentioned are the Nam Hai Buddha statue and Siam Can pagoda.
Nam Hai Buddha statue is located in Quan Am Phat Dai, located in the West Bank, Nha Mat ward, 8km from Bac Lieu city towards the East Sea. After many years of relocation, renovation, repair and expansion, in 2005 – 2006, this place was added many additional works around to serve the needs of sightseeing and beliefs of tourists as well as locals. indigenous people.
The Nam Hai Quan Am Festival attracts a large number of tourists in the third lunar month every year.(Photos of Western Tourism)
On the 22nd, 23rd and 24th of the third lunar month every year, Quan Am Phat Dai also holds the Quan Am Nam Hai festival. This is also one of the biggest Buddhist festivals of Bac Lieu province.
Xiem Can Pagoda is a Khmer temple with unique and sophisticated architecture and is known as the most beautiful Khmer temple in Bac Lieu as well as in the South.
The pagoda is about 7m from the city center, at Bien Dong B hamlet, Vinh Thach Dong commune. This is also the route connecting many famous destinations in Bac Lieu.
According to the records on the stele carved in ancient Khmer characters on the front and back sides, placed on the right side of the main hall; The construction of Xiem Can Pagoda was started on May 7, 1887.
Xiem Can Pagoda is known as the most beautiful Khmer pagoda in Bac Lieu.(Photos of Western Tourism)
Xiem Can Pagoda in particular and all temples of the Southern Khmer temple system, in general, bear a bold architectural imprint of Angkor Khmer – Cambodia. It is a roof structure that overlaps each other, forming a soaring space, blending with the pointed top like a tower.
On the roof folds are embossed Khmer dragon statues, the dragon’s head is double, the dragon’s body is lying down, and the dragon’s tail is curved up like flames.
It is such features that make visitors to Bac Lieu, who want to learn about the religious beliefs of the Khmer, cannot miss this place.