Catwalk on water: Hoi An river becomes floating runway

By Tan Cao   June 6, 2022 | 12:26 am PT
Vietnamese models performed on a catwalk set up in the middle of Hoi An ancient town's Hoai River during a fashion show last weekend.

Vietnamese models grace the floating runway in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province. Video courtesy of Geeking Productions

The two beauties opened the second part of the Peaceful Sky collection. They made a surprise when they appeared from the banks of Hoai River on Nguyen Phuc Chu Street. As the music plays, a pre-built catwalk slowly rises to the surface, connecting the two riverbanks.

Two models strut the floating runway last Saturday for designer Vu Ngoc & Son.
A pre-built catwalk slowly rises to the surface, connecting both sides of Hoai River in central Quang Nam Province's Hoi An, which helps create the illusion of models walking on water.

Minh Tu and Kim Duyen wore flattering outfits with flowers attached to the catwalk when the water flooded past their ankles.

Models Minh Tu and Kim Duyen don outfits from the "Peaceful Sky" collection featuring floral designs around the shoulder and hips.

Designer Vu Ngoc Tu said that to build the catwalk on the river, the team had to hire local workers who know the flow and the water up and down, to ensure safety. They work from about five days before the show. The floor is built with bamboo poles, the floor consists of many anti-slip boards, the water is flooded past the models ankles, about 30m long.

Designer Vu Ngoc Tu said that to build the floating catwalk, the team had to hire local workers with knowledge of the Hoai River's tides and currents to ensure the water only flooded past the models' ankles.
They worked on the catwalk for about five days before the show. The 30-meter runway was built using bamboo and anti-slip decking boards.

The two models then strode along the 150-meter-long Bach Dang street.

The two models then strode along the 150-meter Bach Dang Street.

Vo Hoang Yen, Tran Tieu Vy, Vu Thu Phuong (from left to right) perform vedettes in the second part of the collection. They wear short dresses that create 3D volume.

Models Vo Hoang Yen, Tran Tieu Vy, Vu Thu Phuong appear as vedettes with 3D-effect pleat dresses in the second part of the show.

Models performed with kites in their hands, reminiscent of childhood in the countryside.

Models perform with kites in their hands, reminiscent of playing in the countryside.

The first part of the collection consists of a series of monochrome designs. Miss Hung Giang My Temple opened from a boat floating in the middle of Hoai River. On the background of the song Peaceful Sky (Pham Huu Tam), the beauty stood at the bow of the boat, performing the dance.

The first part of the collection consists of a series of monochrome designs.
Model Giang My started the show by sporting a red evening dress while standing in a boat floating in the middle of the Hoai River.

Miss Do Thi Ha performed the end of a collection. She rides a cyclo - a familiar vehicle in the ancient town of Hoi An.

During one part of the show, beauty pageant holder Do Thi Ha and models headed down the runway in colorful dresses while riding cyclos - a familiar site in the ancient town of Hoi An.

The beauty queen wears a lady-style design with a wide silk skirt and a scarf wrapped around her head.

Ha wore a pink head-wrap and matching dress to highlight her femininity.

Photos by Team Kieng Can

 
 
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