HÀ NỘI — Sun Group has officially entered into a strategic partnership with Dragone, the Belgium-based creator and producer of large-scale live entertainment, marking a new chapter for Việt Nam’s cultural and entertainment industry and the beginning of a flagship show envisioned for APEC 2027.

The agreement, signed on April 10, represents Dragone’s first formal entry into Việt Nam through a strategic partnership, underscoring the country’s growing appeal to leading global creative companies. It also reinforces Sun Group’s role as a pioneer in bringing world-class performing arts experiences to Vietnamese audiences.

Founded in 2000 by Franco Dragone, the company is known for large-scale shows blending art, technology and storytelling, drawing about 120 million spectators worldwide and helping turn host cities into global entertainment destinations, with The House of Dancing Water – a US$250 million production – among Asia’s top-grossing attractions in Macau (China).

Under the agreement, Sun Group and Dragone will establish a long-term strategic partnership to develop, design, produce and operate large-scale, destination-defining live entertainment productions that integrate performance, technology and local cultural identity.

The initial focus will be a theatrical dinner show at the APEC 2027 Convention and Exhibition Centre in Phú Quốc. Envisioned as a flagship Dragone production, the project is expected to set a new benchmark for live entertainment in Việt Nam and the wider region.

More than a standalone performance, the project is positioned as a strategic addition to Phú Quốc’s evolving entertainment ecosystem – further strengthening the island’s status as an emerging hub for world-class cultural experiences. Notably, the integration of a high-end dinner show within a convention venue is expected to create a distinctive highlight for APEC 2027, where art becomes an integral part of the global event experience.  

Speaking at the signing ceremony, James Tanabe, COO of Dragone, emphasised that the partnership is rooted in a shared vision: to create productions that are not only artistically exceptional but also commercially sustainable.

“We believe that the combination of Dragone’s creative excellence and Sun Group’s destination development vision will result in a truly iconic experience – where art, technology and Vietnamese cultural identity converge in a contemporary language with global resonance,” he said.

Nguyễn Vũ Quỳnh Anh, deputy CEO of Sun Group and CEO of Sun Hospitality and Entertainment Group, added: “Through this collaboration, live performance will become a key driver of tourism growth, cultural value and the creative economy in Việt Nam. It also represents an important step in positioning the country on the global map of arts and entertainment, particularly as we look ahead to APEC 2027.”

Before partnering with Dragone, Sun Group had already delivered major productions such as Symphony of the Sea, Symphony of River and Symphony of the Green Island – a 2025 double Guinness record holder – along with Kiss of the Sea, the world’s largest permanent water projection theatre. The new partnership is expected to make live entertainment a key tourism driver and further elevate Việt Nam’s global cultural profile. — VNA/VNS