In addition to recreating the vibrant atmosphere of a glorious historical period and honoring the image of President Ho Chi Minh , the work also serves as a vivid symbol of the cultural cooperation between Vietnam and South Korea.
Celebrating the revolution and President Ho Chi Minh through musical drama.
As a leading arts institution under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Vietnam National Drama Theatre is determined to mobilize resources to create artistic works, contributing to the commemoration of this important national event, including the musical "Café Bread," a collaboration with Metaforce Vietnam Co., Ltd. and Korean artists. According to Meritorious Artist Kieu Minh Hieu, Director of the Vietnam National Drama Theatre, President Ho Chi Minh is a great leader who has left a profound mark on the history of the Vietnamese nation and humanity. Honoring and showing gratitude to him and the national liberation revolution is both an honor and a mission for those working in literature and art in general, and the theatre in particular.
“The collaborative staging of the musical ‘Café Bread’ is a special activity, demonstrating the cooperative relationship between Vietnam and South Korea, aiming to spread messages about the culture, people, and history of the two countries through theatrical images and language, thereby enhancing the relationship between the two nations in artistic exchange and cooperation, contributing to bringing to the public performances with beautiful and truly meaningful messages,” emphasized Meritorious Artist Kieu Minh Hieu.
"Café Bread" is adapted from an original script by author Seo Sang Wan, with the collaboration of author Le Trinh; directed by Cho Joon Hui and People's Artist Hoang Lam Tung. The musical features a realistic social setting of Vietnam during the painful years of war and celebrates patriotic citizens. The indomitable spirit of the Vietnamese people during the August Revolution of 1945 is a beautiful expression of patriotism and the strength of unity, leading to independence and freedom, and affirming the unwavering will of the Vietnamese people in their struggle for national liberation.
This is the first time the Vietnamese national liberation revolution and the country's beloved leader have been portrayed through a new lens – the language of musical theater, with a creative collaboration between Vietnamese and Korean artists. "Café Bread" is scheduled to premiere on the evening of August 15th at the Star Theatre (Hanoi), promising a modern artistic experience with music , dance, and multimedia stage language.
Inspiring artistic creativity
The themes of revolutionary war and the image of President Ho Chi Minh have always been a source of inspiration and creative passion for Vietnamese artists and art organizations. However, this theme becomes fresher, more exploratory, and more integrated with the participation and cooperation of a team of Korean artists.
Sharing about the inspiration behind the production, director Cho Joon Hui said that the spirit of "nothing is more precious than independence and freedom"—which is deeply ingrained in Korean history—inspired him to create this work. During his creative process, he read about Vietnam's 80th National Day celebration in 2025 and received the script for "Café Banh Mi" from author Seo Sang Wan and artistic director Park Hyun Woo. He immediately decided to collaborate on bringing the play to the Vietnamese stage in the form of a musical.
Regarding the musical's title, director Cho Joon Hui explained: "Café and bread are famous foods and drinks in Vietnam, and I believe they are like the people here – simple people but rich in patriotism. I was particularly moved to see people calling President Ho Chi Minh 'Uncle' as if he were a family member. Therefore, I wanted to use music to express gratitude and spread the spirit of Uncle Ho through ordinary people, unsung heroes." The performance doesn't follow the approach of portraying a central figure, but rather spreads the spirit and ideology of President Ho Chi Minh through each character, each slice of life, like a chorus of the people's hearts.
Alongside director Cho Joon Hui, screenwriter Seo Sang Wan shared: “The inspiration for writing this work comes from my admiration for the indomitable spirit of the Vietnamese people in their struggle for national liberation. This is not just a story of Vietnam, but a journey in search of freedom, something that all nations can empathize with.”
As a traditional theatrical arts institution, staging a musical is a major challenge for the Vietnam National Drama Theatre. Meritorious Artist Nong Dung Nam, assistant director and also a performer in the production, shared: “Musicals require artists to sing, perform physically, dance, and act simultaneously – something not easy for us. But everyone is striving, from vocal training and dance practice to working with international experts. This is a valuable opportunity to learn professional staging methods and get closer to international stage standards.”
It was this spirit of openness and determination to innovate that convinced the Korean partners. Director Cho Joon Hui expressed: “I have great faith in the future of musical theater in Vietnam. The artists are talented, perceptive, and eager to learn. With the right investment, Vietnam can absolutely develop this art form into a new spearhead in performing arts.”
More than just a collaborative artistic project, "Café Bread" marks a significant step forward in bringing Vietnamese theater to the world. Following its premiere in Vietnam, the play is expected to be presented in France, South Korea, and Japan... The fact that the Vietnam National Drama Theatre and other art organizations dare to experiment with forms outside their expertise demonstrates the spirit of innovation and creativity gradually permeating contemporary artistic thinking.
Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/ke-chuyen-cach-vang-qua-lang-kinh-moi-710609.html
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