KDI Holdings has officially inaugurated Vietnam’s first world-class private theater – the “Đó” Theater – a landmark project within the Libera Nha Trang resort–art–entertainment complex. Inspired by the “đó”, a traditional Vietnamese fish trap, the theater stands out for its strong cultural identity and is among the few in Vietnam that meet rigorous international standards for large-scale performing arts. All mechanical, stage, lighting, and sound systems are imported directly from Europe. Together with the signature show “Life Puppets – Rối Mơ,” the Đó Theater is poised to become a national and international tourism and cultural destination. Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính commended the investor for dedicating significant financial resources to develop the theater, creating a unique tourist attraction and a venue for cultural activities.
Nha Trang, Khánh Hòa – April 1, 2023 – Today, KDI Holdings, the developer of the Vega City Nha Trang resort–entertainment–art complex, officially inaugurated the “Đó” Theater, one of the project’s central components. The inauguration ceremony took place as part of the celebrations for the 370th anniversary of Khánh Hòa Province. The event honored the presence of Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính, members of the Party and State leadership, as well as provincial officials and representatives from national and local media agencies.
With the goal of contributing to the development of Vietnam’s tourism industry—particularly elevating tourism in Nha Trang – Khánh Hòa—KDI Holdings aims to create diverse, culturally rich, and internationally competitive tourism products. The inauguration of the “Đó” Theater is a powerful testament to the company’s perseverance and commitment to Nha Trang during a challenging period following three years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and distinguished delegates cut the ribbon to inaugurate the Đó Theater
In his address, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính expressed his wish for the Đó Theater to become a model of social resource mobilization for cultural preservation and development, contributing to a prosperous and strong nation. He emphasized the need for ministries and local authorities to invest in cultural infrastructure, preserve local cultural values, and integrate them into tourism promotion for domestic and international visitors. He particularly highlighted the partnership between Khánh Hòa Province and KDI Holdings in developing Libera Nha Trang with the Đó Theater as its centerpiece to enhance the province’s tourism appeal.
Inspired by the traditional Vietnamese fish trap, the “Đó” Theater is one of the rare theaters in Vietnam that meets international standards for world-class performances, thanks to its fully imported European stage technology and equipment.
Đó Theater proudly receives the record for “Vietnam’s Largest Theater Featuring Cultural Architecture Inspired by the Traditional Fish Trap (‘Đó’)“
Jean Michel Puiff, Director of the National Theater Senart (France), shared:
I was astonished when I first saw this extraordinary theater. In my opinion, this is the first theater in Vietnam built to the same standards as those in Europe. I applaud the investor’s boldness—constructing a theater in France is already a massive challenge; I can only imagine the level of difficulty required to build one here in Vietnam.
Poised to become an international-standard cultural and artistic hub in Nha Trang, the theater will host a wide range of cultural events of national and regional significance. Particularly notable is its daily show, “Life Puppets – Rối Mơ,” which reimagines the stories of the 12 zodiac animals through traditional and contemporary artistic expressions. Performed on the world’s first multi-dimensional concurrent stage, the show innovates Vietnamese water puppetry by fusing it with shadow puppetry, string puppetry, and an original Southeast Asian ensemble. Entirely performed live using handcrafted techniques, the show is expected to become a unique cultural tourism attraction for Khánh Hòa Province.
During the event, KDI Holdings proudly received two records from the Vietnam Record Organization for the Đó Theater and the “Life Puppets – Rối Mơ” show, recognized as Vietnam’s Most Unique Indigenous Cultural Theater Inspired by the Traditional Fish Trap and Vietnam’s First Multi-space Puppetry Performance Featuring Diverse Puppetry Forms Combined with a Southeast Asian Indigenous Orchestra.
Sophie Maysonnave, Counsellor for Cooperation and Cultural Activities and Director of the French Institute in Vietnam, remarked:
“I am truly impressed by ‘Life Puppets – Rối Mơ.’ It beautifully blends tradition with modernity. The theater’s architecture wonderfully highlights Vietnamese and Southeast Asian culture. I have never seen a show so unique and captivating it will surely leave a profound impact on both Vietnamese audiences and international visitors.”
As part of the program, Khánh Hòa Province, the Vietnam Cinema Association, and Vega City JSC (a member of KDI Holdings) signed an agreement to host the annual Golden Kite Awards at the Đó Theater starting in 2023—an important milestone in promoting Vietnamese cinema on the international stage and strengthening the province’s position as a future destination for film tourism.
Nguyễn Tấn Tuân, Chairman of the Khánh Hòa People’s Committee, affirmed:
Nha Trang has long been known as a premier tourism and resort destination. To maintain its brand and meet the rising expectations of global travelers, the city needs modern tourism infrastructure and distinctive, high-end tourism products. Libera Nha Trang is exactly such a model—with 5–6-star hotels, world-class management, vibrant entertainment, and unique cultural shows performed daily at the Đó Theater.”
He added that the Đó Theater exemplifies how cultural investment can be successfully mobilized in alignment with Vietnam’s Cultural Industry Development Strategy. It represents a unique cultural-driven tourism model that enhances Nha Trang’s appeal. He expressed confidence that Vega City will become an exceptional destination, contributing to Khánh Hòa Province’s long-term development goals.
Speaking about the project, Đỗ Tuấn Anh, CEO of KDI Holdings, shared:
“Building this theater was a tremendous challenge. We worked with numerous local and international experts to find the best solutions. Today, the Đó Theater stands as a distinctive architectural icon within the stunning Vega City Nha Trang. We hope it will become an artistic and cultural destination attracting domestic and international visitors and a venue for major cultural events that further boost Nha Trang’s tourism growth.”
Đó Theater and “Life Puppets – Rối Mơ” secure two national records on opening day
KDI Holdings is currently the only private enterprise in Vietnam investing in constructing a theater within a resort complex a rare endeavor considering the profit-driven nature of most private developers. The Đó Theater and its signature show “Life Puppets – Rối Mơ” are expected to become iconic cultural tourism products, positioning Libera Nha Trang as a future international destination.
