The journey from Hanoi, Vietnam, to Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China covers more than 2,800 kilometers. For the Vietnamese girl La Hoang Ngoc Anh, this is not merely a climate shift from the tropics to the temperate zone, but also an in-depth exploration of Chinese culture.

“I wanted to understand the lives of Liaoning people, starting with a theater.” With this in mind, on a spring afternoon, she followed her senior, Dinh Thien Hoang, toward the Shengjing Grand Theatre along the banks of the Hunhe River. This building, affectionately nicknamed the “Big Diamond” by Shenyang people, was about to become her first cultural landmark to experience the city.

As an art lover, La Hoang Ngoc Anh looked forward to finding a window to communicate with Chinese art here. In the theatre lobby, she carefully checked the performance schedule. From traditional Peking Opera to Austrian concerts, from suspense dramas to contemporary dance shows, the rich and varied programs amazed her. “I’m overwhelmed by the choices. I never thought there would be so many genres to choose from. People in Shenyang are so fortunate.”

“Wow, it’s so beautiful!” The moment she stepped into the opera hall, La Hoang Ngoc Anh couldn’t help sighing in admiration. The elegant cinnabar red seats shimmered softly under the lights—this shade of red, inspired by the Shenyang Imperial Palace, seemed to quietly bring history into the modern theatre. Looking up, the star-like lights on the ceiling sparkled brightly, as if the Milky Way had fallen to the world. She raised her phone to capture this stunning first impression.

The following tour broadened her horizons even more. In the concert hall, the magnificent pipe organ stood silently, like a giant waiting to be played. The exquisite acoustic design of the stage turned every sound check into a poetic expression of the space. Wandering through the various halls, La Hoang Ngoc Anh kept marveling, “I never imagined the interior of the ‘Big Diamond’ was so incredible.”

As night fell, the lights outside the Shengjing Grand Theatre turned on one after another. The whole building shone like a diamond on the banks of the Hun River, radiating dazzling light. “I’d never seen such a beautiful and well-equipped theatre. I just don’t want to leave,” La Hoang Ngoc Anh said excitedly.