Tuồng

[2] [3] Tuồng is distinct from the older hát chèo genre of Vietnamese theatre which combines dance, song and poetry, and the more modern cải lương folk musical.

Along with Hát chèo, tuồng was one of the highly popular art forms for commoners until 20th century.

With the arrival of Cai Luong and modern theatrics, tuong gradually lost its position.

Stories in the opera tend to be ostensibly historical and frequently focus on the rules of social decorum, and can include legends from either the history of China or Vietnam.

Tuồng employs the use of stock characters who are recognizable from their make-up and costumes, which are typically very elaborate and extravagant.