Musical and dance project 'Princess Anio' praises Vietnam

Photo caption — Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu spoke at the event.

The event was held following the production announcement in Japan on November 5, which included the announcement of the Vietnamese artist chosen for the role of Princess Anio through an audition in Vietnam.

Attending the event were Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu and many officials and artists from the two countries.

The musical is based on the opera "Princess Anio", released on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan in 2023, telling a true love story from 400 years ago between Princess Ngoc Hoa (Princess Anio) of Hoi An, Vietnam and Araki Sotaro, a merchant from Nagasaki, Japan during the Red Seal Ship trade period (Edo period) in the early 17th century. This is a symbol of Vietnam-Japan friendship.

At the event, Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu highly appreciated the project, affirming that the love story between Princess Ngoc Hoa (Princess Anio) and businessman Araki Sotaro is a "symbol of the long-lasting friendship" between the two countries, built on the foundation of respect and equality.

The Deputy Minister said that on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan, the opera “Princess Anio” was premiered for the first time and is one of the 500 exchange activities between the two countries. “The opera Princess Anio, which today became a musical, was born from the friendship between the people of the two countries, showing that the relationship between the two countries is based on the exchange of understanding and love between the two peoples, expressed through the love story between Princess Ngoc Hoa and merchant Sotaro. I really hope that with this musical, the spread of this love story will be wider,” the Deputy Minister said.

Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki also affirmed that the story of "Princess Anio" is a symbol of Japan-Vietnam exchange, connecting Nagasaki and Hoi An during the period of the Red Seal trade, and that this story being recreated in the form of a musical or ballet is "a wonderful opportunity to bring the work's appeal to a wider audience."

The Ambassador pledged that, as Honorary Advisor of the “Princess Anio” Project, he will continue to support the Project’s upcoming activities: “I believe that the upcoming musical version premiered in Kanagawa will continue to spread the noble values of art, culture and Japan-Vietnam friendship to a wide audience of Vietnamese and Japanese audiences.”

Mr. Furukawa Naomasa, Director of Brain Vietnam Service Co., Ltd. - representative of the project production unit, said that the project "Princess Anio" emphasizes "friendship and equal trade activities between Japan and Hoi An (Vietnam), as well as a true story of friendship and love, adapted into an entertainment work".

Regarding the idea of adaptation, Mr. Kuroiwa Yuji, Governor of Kanagawa Prefecture, shared that he was the one who came up with this initiative two years ago after watching the opera. Governor Kuroiwa hopes that this play "can spread all over the world ".

The musical “Princess Anio” is scheduled to premiere at the KAAT Kanagawa Art Theater, Yokohama, Japan in September 2026, with Vietnamese actress Do Phan Gia Han taking on the role of Princess Anio after a three-month audition.

Do Phan Gia Han was an excellent candidate who passed all the three-month selection rounds. Gia Han performed the main song of the musical live at the event, and was evaluated by the Jury as possessing a voice that was "both clear and powerful" and "a demeanor that made everyone love her", true to the image of "a modern-day Princess Anio".

Speaking at the ceremony, Do Phan Gia Han, a student at the Vietnam National Academy of Music, shared: “I am very grateful and feel very lucky to be chosen to play Princess Anio in this musical project. I will try my best to portray Princess Anio well. During the casting process, there were criteria for dancing, choreography and choreography. I will try my best to increase the friendship between Vietnam and Japan.”

The musical is scheduled to perform 20 times at the KAAT Kanagawa Art Theater (Yokohama, Kanagawa) from September 11 to 28, 2026. The show brings together actors Tashiro Mario, Onoda Ryunosuke, Oto Kurisu and Do Phan Gia Han, along with a creative team including music composer Tran Manh Hung and Vietnamese scriptwriter Ha Quang Minh.

According to VNA

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/du-an-nhac-vu-kich-cong-nu-anio-ca-ngoi-tinh-huu-nghi-viet-nam-nhat-ban-526706.html