Nominations for the Mai Vàng Award: Distinctive Achievements that Evoke National Pride

While a few years ago, Ho Chi Minh City's theater scene was almost devoid of socially relevant works, 2025 marks a strong comeback for highly ideological plays, where artists use the language of the stage to dialogue about ethics, beliefs, and ideals. In addition, meticulously staged socially relevant artistic programs have created a vibrant tapestry, attracting millions of viewers and fostering patriotism and a spirit of dedication to doing good, contributing to a more prosperous nation.

The return of the revolutionary stage

Most notably, the play "Comrade" (Ho Chi Minh City Theatre Association, written by Le Thu Hanh, directed by People's Artist Tran Ngoc Giau and Quoc Thinh), is a moving work about loyal comrades who stand firm amidst the temptations of money. Its modern staging, combined with charming comedic elements, creates a performance that is both profound and relatable, moving the audience to tears while still instilling faith in goodness.

Những dấu ấn đậm nét, khơi gợi niềm tự hào dân tộc - Ảnh 1. — A scene from the play "Comrade"

"Another War" (Hong Van Theatre, directed by Meritorious Artist Le Nguyen Dat) takes a different approach: no martial arts, no thrilling chase scenes, but rather a conflict of morality and conscience. This quiet, humane storytelling style creates a powerful ripple effect, touching the hearts of viewers with the message that "justice doesn't just come from slogans, but from human actions."

Những dấu ấn đậm nét, khơi gợi niềm tự hào dân tộc - Ảnh 2. — The play "An Emotional Reunion"

On the Trinh Kim Chi stage, the two plays "Two Mothers" (by Le Thu Hanh) and "That Day at the Gate of Heaven" (by Nguyen Khang Chien) embody the spirit of compassion and tolerance of women in both historical and modern contexts, clearly showcasing the directorial imprint of People's Artist Trinh Kim Chi, who remains steadfast in her commitment to revolutionary theatrical values and her dedication to community life.

Meanwhile, Quoc Thao Theatre made its mark with "Deep Night" and "Burning Field" - two plays that presented a frank and realistic perspective on people in the post-war era. The Cai Luong play "The Song of the Hau River" directed by Hoa Ha is a deeply meaningful political drama. The play featured many talented artists from Ho Chi Minh City and attracted a large audience.

Những dấu ấn đậm nét, khơi gợi niềm tự hào dân tộc - Ảnh 3. — The Cai Luong play "The Song of the Hau River"

In the North, the Cai Luong plays "Thunderclap at Lach Hoi" (Lam Son Art Theatre) and "From Viet Bac to Hanoi " (directed by People's Artist Trieu Trung Kien) contributed to reviving the spirit of resistance and revolutionary values in the new era. Encouragingly, audiences, especially young people, have begun to return to politically charged theatrical performances.

Performances of the aforementioned works consistently attracted large audiences. The play "Comrade" was always sold out, not only in Ho Chi Minh City but also toured to South Korea, demonstrating the public's faith in stories with humanistic values, guiding and awakening society.

Symphony of National Pride

Not only on the Cai Luong and spoken drama stages, but the genre of political and social arts in 2025 will also spread strongly through music and dance programs celebrating major national holidays.

The program "80 Years of Independence - Freedom - Happiness" (Hanoi), held at My Dinh Stadium with nearly 3,000 artists, recreated 80 years of Vietnamese history - from the long night of slavery to the era of integration and progress.

The three artistic movements, "The Path to Independence and Unification," "Aspiration for the Fatherland," and "My Fatherland, Never Before So Beautiful," created a moving epic. The harmony of symphony, dance, 3D mapping technology, and modern LED screens brought the audience back to the entirety of the nation's journey.

The "Independence Star" program (in the new Ho Chi Minh City, after the merger with the former Binh Duong and Ba Ria - Vung Tau provinces) was a grand artistic celebration co-organized by HTV, connecting three major locations online. It was a symphony of light, sound, and emotion, featuring performances by Trong Tan, Anh Tho, Duc Phuc, Huong Tram, Meritorious Artist Tuan Lin, and others. The highlight was the "Flame of Independence" segment, combining LED and lasers, along with a 15-minute fireworks display across the skies of three regions: the center of Ho Chi Minh City, the Binh Duong area, and the Vung Tau area, concluding a historic and proud evening.

Những dấu ấn đậm nét, khơi gợi niềm tự hào dân tộc - Ảnh 4. — Poster for the art program "Independent Starlight"

The programs "Independence Star 2025", "Under the Glorious Banner", and "Homeland in Our Hearts" are a series of three nights of artistic and political performances directed by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, depicting the journey of struggle, nation-building, and the aspiration for a strong and prosperous Vietnam.

Each program offers a unique artistic perspective – sometimes lyrical, sometimes majestic, and all share a common message: the homeland is always in the heart of every Vietnamese person.

In particular, the vibrant "Colors of Ho Chi Minh City" series of events in April 2025 will feature a range of activities such as "The Nation's Complete Joy," "Symphony of Peace," drone demonstrations, 3D mapping, flower boat parades, and traditional Vietnamese folk music performances on the Saigon River.

This is a testament to the spirit of creativity and modernization in political commentary art, transforming public spaces into "stages for the people".

Suggestions for nominations for the 31st Mai Vàng Awards - 2025

This year, artistic works and programs with a focus on social commentary not only aim at history or propaganda but also truly touch emotions, igniting aspirations for a strong, compassionate, and integrated Vietnam.

Readers of Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper can vote and nominate for: Most Popular Political Drama: "Comrade", "Another War", "The Song of the Hau River", "Two Mothers", "Thunderclap at Lach Hoi", "From Viet Bac to Hanoi"...; Most Popular Political Art Program: "80 Years of the Journey of Independence - Freedom - Happiness", "The Star of Independence", "Independence Star 2025", "Homeland in My Heart", "Colors of Uncle Ho's City"...