A 150-million-year-old cave in Vietnam’s north has become the extraordinary setting for an immersive theatrical show and a fine dining celebration of hyper-local Vietnamese cuisine. On May 30 this year, Asia Premier Cruises (APC) Corporation welcomed its first guests to the 2.5-hour cave dining and entertainment experience at the majestic 4000-square-metre Dragon Pearl Cave, about a 30-minute drive from Halong City.
At 45 metres above sea level, Dragon Pearl Cave is one of the largest caves in the Bai Tu Long area of Vietnam’s Cam Pha district and is surrounded by the Ban Co mountain range. One of a complex of five caves in scenic Vung Duc, the cave overlooks Bai Tu Long Bay. Locals call the cave ‘a theatre inside a mountain’ because of its two chambers and myriad stalagmites and stalactites.
The experience begins with a 45-minute cultural spectacle “The Quest for the Dragon Pearl” created by director Le Thanh Phong. 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. A preview of the show can be accessed here.
After the show, guests indulge Vietnamese fine dining by candlelight amid the cavern’s surreal textures. Inspired by Dragon Pearl folklore and crafted by Head Chef Nguyen Gia Thien, the menu invites diners on a culinary pilgrimage of the local Quang Ninh Province.
‘Pomelo and giant river prawn salad’, ‘Grilled Van Don oysters with scallop sauce’ and ‘Hand-pounded Co To squid cakes’ are the trio of appetizers. The main courses include ‘Crispy roasted Tien Yen chicken’, ‘Grilled sea bass in wild dzong leaves’, ‘Lobster with Tiến Vua imperial sauce’, ‘Gat Gu rolls and braised Khau Nhuc pork’ and ‘Stir-fried asparagus with cordyceps mushroom’. The feast is rounded off with ‘Golden Dragon Pearl dessert’ and ‘Yen Tu golden flower tea’.
The launch of the cave dining spectacle marked significant progress for Quang Ninh tourism, according to Nguyen Hong Nhat, general director of APC Corporation, also behind 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 Halong Bay and repositioning our province as a leading cultural and experiential destination,” he said. “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.”
For more information about APC Corporation’s new cave dining and entertainment experience, please visit https://dragonpearlcave.com/
