The orchestra performs the piece "Vietnam, Rest in Peace". (Photo: Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand)
Attending the performance, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn performed on the Thai two-stringed fiddle while wearing a Vietnamese ao dai (traditional dress). The event was attended by over 1,500 spectators, including intellectuals, officials from Thailand, and members of the diplomatic corps in Bangkok (Thailand). The Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand delegation, led by the Chargé d'affaires ad interim of the Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand, Bui Thi Hue, also attended the event.
"Vietnam, a Place of Peace of Mind" is a 68-line poem written by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, recounting her positive impressions and feelings about the landscapes, country, and people of Vietnam. The poem has been adapted into nine songs using a blend of Thai and Vietnamese music , with a total duration of 50 minutes.
The musical piece "Vietnam, Peace of Mind" combines various musical forms such as orchestral music, choral music, and dance, presented by nearly 150 musicians, singers, and performers from the Sai Yai Chamchuri Band, the Western Orchestra of Chulalongkorn University wearing Vietnamese ao dai (traditional dress), and two lecturers from the Hanoi Conservatory of Music performing the bầu and tranh (Vietnamese zithers). Many familiar melodies such as: Trống cơm, Lý ngựa ô, Bèo dạt mây trôi, Cò lả... were introduced to the audience with musical accompaniment by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
The poem begins by praising the diverse and rich Vietnamese cuisine, with its distinctive flavors from the three regions of North, Central, and South Vietnam: “We have heard stories passed down from our ancestors / The great Vietnamese kitchen, with its delicious dishes / From ancient times, they have eaten pho / Vietnamese food is not difficult to make / People say Vietnamese food has three styles / North, Central, and South, we find them all delicious.”
Following this is Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's summary of Vietnam's glorious history, overcoming hardships and difficulties to achieve its current economic success: “Coming to Vietnam allows one to learn about history / So many stories of the nation in each era / The French colonial rule of the country was regrettable / But independence was achieved as desired / The Vietnamese economy has developed since then / Agricultural cultivation is widespread / Growing rice, coffee, and rubber / Fruits, vegetables, everything is available... / The people all work diligently / Their hard work helps the nation grow strong.”
The performance also praised Vietnamese traditional handicrafts such as lacquerware, silk, embroidery, painting, and music. Throughout the program, beautiful images of Vietnam's land, people, and cuisine were projected onto the stage screen. Folk games and traditional dances were also recreated through meticulously prepared and lively scenes, featuring actors in traditional ao dai and conical hats riding bicycles and performing lantern dances.
Through the Princess's insightful perspective, the image of the bamboo pole dance is depicted with humor: "I once saw them perform the bamboo pole dance / I can dance it myself, but I can't quite replicate it / Don't be careless or you'll pinch your foot and hurt it / Don't blame each other for not warning you if you're not careful."
The final part of the poem is a repeated invitation to visit and explore Vietnam: "There are countless stories that cannot be told/ But it is difficult to write them down because there are too many/ Whenever there is an opportunity, I will invite you/ To go on a trip together for a peaceful and enjoyable time."
The performance concluded to enthusiastic applause from the entire audience. Following the performance, the delegates also visited the exhibition booth showcasing some gifts that Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn received during her previous visits to Vietnam, such as Vietnamese musical instruments, some items from ethnic minorities in Vietnam, handicrafts, photographs, and replicas of Vietnamese bronze drums.
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has visited Vietnam many times and implemented several charitable and educational projects there. Every year, the "Princess of Thailand Award for Teachers Who Have Made Significant Contributions to Education and the Community" is given to an outstanding teacher from each member country of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO), including Vietnam. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn is extremely beloved by the Thai people and is also known as the "Angel Princess".
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, born in 1955, is the third child of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and the younger sister of King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has a great fondness for Vietnam and has visited many provinces and cities in Vietnam.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand once compiled a photo book titled "Vietnam Through the Lens of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn," which brought together 100 beautiful photographs of Vietnam.
The book contains 60 photographs taken by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn during her visits to Vietnam from 1993 to 2015. Other photographs are valuable archival images capturing the Thai Princess's meetings with Vietnamese leaders, her interactions with the Vietnamese people, and her visits to numerous scenic spots, historical sites, and cultural landmarks in Vietnam.
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