Inspired by the poetry of Nguyen Khuyen, the folk song Tat Nuoc Dau Dinh and the lullaby of Tonkin, the opening scene of The Quintessence of Tonkin spotlights tradtional, rural life in Vietnam.

Local girls sit chatting and laughing near the lotus pond while local boys jest and joke around them, trying to get their attention. Nearby, villagers plant rice in the fields and tend their crops and livestock. Men fish in the river, pulling their silvery catches out of the water onto the banks. A mother gently sings a lullaby to her baby, the sound echoing pure and clear across the village...

In this scene, candidates bring their cloth bags and bamboo tents to the Thang Long Citadel for their mandarin examination. Many sit for the exam and most fail. It is a difficult exam but for those who are successful, a promising future awaits.

The Citadel is an integral part of the 4300m2 setting of lake and compound, and reflects the importance of learning and hard work to the Vietnamese. The music is rousing and the lighting vibrant to underscore the significance of history and tradition.

Religious beliefs and activities play an important role in the lives of villagers. The worship of the Third Holy Mother and Mother Goddess — saints who are in charge of the rice fields and help with successful farming and agriculture — give villagers a more comfortable life.

This scene depicts farmers working in the rice paddies — an image that is essentially Vietnam — and is closely associated with wet rice cultivation. The bumper crop is harvested by hard-working farmers, with laser lights and ancient folk songs accompanying the performers to demonstrate accomplishment.