Cam Ranh, once a sleepy coastal stretch in southern Vietnam, has been quietly transforming into a destination that blends natural beauty with cultural depth. Long known for its turquoise waters and pristine beaches, the bay has a history that stretches back centuries. It was once a strategic harbour, used by traders and navies alike, and today it’s better known for its resorts and its promise of tranquillity. Yet Alma Resort has decided to add something new to the mix — a cultural heartbeat that pulses beneath the tropical skies.

The Alma Amphitheatre, vast and open‑air, sits at the heart of the resort like a modern coliseum. By day, it’s a striking architectural feature, its sweeping curves echoing the waves that lap Cam Ranh’s shore. By night, it transforms into a stage alive with colour, sound and story. This is where “The Stage – Alma Show” unfolds, a collaboration between Vietnamese and Korean creatives that feels both timeless and fresh.

The show itself is a journey through Vietnam’s heritage, told with a contemporary twist. It begins with the Apsara dance, a graceful performance that harks back to the Champa Kingdom, whose influence still lingers in the region’s temples and ruins. The Cham people, with their rich traditions, are honoured here in a way that feels both respectful and celebratory. From there, the audience is whisked through Vietnam’s five elements of nature — earth, water, fire, wood and metal — each depicted in a segment that mixes traditional artistry with modern spectacle.

Water puppetry, one of Vietnam’s most beloved art forms, makes an appearance, its origins dating back to the rice paddies of the Red River Delta. Farmers once entertained their villages by manoeuvring puppets across flooded fields, telling tales of village life, folklore and myth. At Alma, this tradition is reimagined with lighting and sound effects, yet the essence remains: a playful, poetic dance upon water.

The element of earth is brought to life through silks unfurling into a giant lotus, Vietnam’s national flower and a symbol of purity rising from the mud. Fire crackles across the stage in daring displays, while wood and metal are woven into dances, fashion parades and flash mobs that feel distinctly modern yet rooted in tradition. The Ao Dai, Vietnam’s iconic long dress, sweeps across the amphitheatre in elegant procession, reminding guests that fashion too can be a vessel of heritage.

What makes Alma Amphitheatre remarkable is not just the spectacle itself, but the setting. Cam Ranh’s coastline, dotted with fishing villages and framed by rugged hills, provides a backdrop that feels almost cinematic. Guests arrive to the sound of waves and leave with the echo of drums and laughter in their ears. It’s a place where history, myth and modern creativity converge under the stars.

The amphitheatre also signals a broader ambition: to put Cam Ranh on the cultural map. While nearby Nha Trang has long been known for its nightlife and diving, Cam Ranh is carving out a niche as a destination for those who want both relaxation and enrichment. Alma Resort, with its sprawling grounds and family‑friendly ethos, has added a layer of cultural sophistication that sets it apart.

In many ways, the Alma Show is more than entertainment. It’s a bridge between past and present, local and global, tradition and innovation. It invites guests not just to watch, but to participate — to clap, to dance, to feel part of the story. And when the final notes fade and the performers take their bow, the amphitheatre itself seems to breathe, as if the legends of Vietnam have been whispered once more into the night air.

It’s theatre, it’s folklore, it’s magic — and it’s a reminder that even in the most modern of resorts, history still has a stage.

Address: Floor B1, Hotel Tower, ALMA Resort, Lot D7a2, TT4X6, Cam Lam Commune, Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam

Phone: (+84) 258 399-1666

Website: www.alma-resort.com