Mai Vang Award - Nominated for "Stage Play" category: Smart staging, lively rhythm

Among them, Thien Dang Stage attracted attention with "Hac Vy Lan", a folk play directed by Hoang Thai Quoc. The work has the detective colors of old Saigon but is a metaphor for the desire to find justice after many tragedies of a family in the whirlpool of money and fame.

"Emotional drama" style

The staging with the delicate coordination between light, music and dramatic language has opened up a new stage aesthetic, making the audience both admire and ponder. The play "Another War" by Hong Van Drama Theater (directed by Meritorious Artist Le Nguyen Dat) faces the dark side of the technological age - where the "battlefield" is social networks and the "weapon" is language. The play evokes critical thinking, showing the maturity of a socialized unit in Ho Chi Minh City in expressing the image of the people's police soldier.

In the realistic - humanistic drama genre, "Emotional Reunion" (directed by Le Quoc Nam, Truong Hung Minh Art Stage) became a silent touch. The play tells the story of two twin brothers separated after many events, then together find the value of love through touching memories. Still at Truong Hung Minh Stage, "Then 30 years later" (directed by Ngoc Duyen) continues to exploit the theme of memory, which is a famous script by Ha Trieu - Hoa Phuong. The story becomes haunting because of the way space and music are handled like echoes of time - a testament to the "emotional drama" style that is loved by the audience.

Giải Mai Vàng - Đề cử hạng mục — Truong Hung Minh Art Stage and the work "Then 30 years later"

In particular, "Blood Pen" by Ganh Trang Theatre (directed by Minh Nguyet) is a step forward in ideology and art. Based on a short story by the late writer Vu Hanh, the play strongly warns about the ethics of writers in the era of mixed media.

The play uses light and sound as third characters, creating a tense energy field between good and evil, between the "pen" and the "blood" of conscience.

The play "Comrades" produced by the Ho Chi Minh City Theater Association, directed by Tran Ngoc Giau and directed by Quoc Thinh, is a typical highlight of political drama. With the theme of the people's police soldier, the work does not stop at propaganda but depicts the psychological depth, ideals and inner struggles of the soldier in peacetime. The play is highly appreciated for its simplicity, honesty and profound humanity, worthy of being a strong candidate in this category.

"Multi-regional - multi-identity" stage

The play "Everyone Keeps Their Soul" (IDECAF Drama Theater, director Hung Lam) continues to affirm the brand of high-quality entertainment theater. The play has a folk color and sets a hypothetical situation, when people in a family suddenly switch bodies, they will understand more about the feelings of their relatives.

Based on the philosophy of life, the play reflects the hidden corners of the human heart. The intelligent staging, lively rhythm and interwoven tragicomedy structure make the audience absorbed in each performance.

This year, the Cai Luong stage has blossomed with creative projects. Three plays directed by Hoa Ha: "Buc Ngon Do Dai Viet", "Tieng Ho Song Hau" and "Ganh Co Song Han" show a traditional theatrical mindset aimed at a young audience.

From the national historical picture to the resistance war of the Southern army and people against colonialism and imperialism, director Hoa Ha has combined multi-layered projection techniques, contemporary dance and folk music. These plays are not only highly artistic but also suggest a direction for "multi-regional - multi-identity" theater.

On Quoc Thao Stage, the two plays "Deep Night" and the musical "Thunderstorm - Sinful Melody" (directed by Quoc Thao) made their mark by refreshing classic scripts. If "Deep Night" is a fierce confrontation between father and son on two fronts: anti-crime officers and transnational organized crime, then "Thunderstorm" is a musical combining drama - songs - sound. Thanks to that, the work is like a "tragic symphony".

The play "Phèo" (Xom Kich Theatre, directed by Xuan Trang) is a typical example of recreating the character of Chi Pheo in a contemporary context - both satirical and sympathetic. Meanwhile, "Nao Loan Tieu Lam Duong" (Thanh Nien Theatre, directed by Hong Ngoc) brings a lively comedy party, criticizing the pragmatic lifestyle with charming laughter.

"Running to Yesterday" (Hoang Thai Thanh Stage, Director Cong Hien) is also a play with many emotions. The story makes the audience feel moved and easily sympathized.

The plays nominated for the 31st Golden Apricot Awards 2025 not only affirm the enduring vitality of Ho Chi Minh City's stage but also demonstrate the creative capacity of directors, authors, and artists in touching on contemporary issues and hidden corners of the human soul.

People's Artist Tran Ngoc Giau, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Theater Association, commented: "What is valuable is that the theater scene in Ho Chi Minh City does not only live on revenue but also has the desire to create and contribute. Young directors today are following in the footsteps of previous generations with new artistic language and thinking."