Spreading the art of traditional Vietnamese opera.

Traditional Vietnamese opera performances for the public in front of Binh Tay Market, Ho Chi Minh City.

Packed with spectators.

The "Southern Jade Seal" program, directed by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports, will be implemented by the Ho Chi Minh City Traditional Opera Theatre. Initially, the program will be performed for the community at the end of 2025, celebrating the New Year 2026. Subsequently, it will become a highlight of traditional culture for tourists in Ho Chi Minh City.

The program is structured as a story about a family with a long tradition of traditional Vietnamese opera (Hát Bội). Within this family is a veteran Hát Bội artist who is deeply concerned with preserving and protecting this traditional art form against the overwhelming currents of contemporary culture. He strives to pass on his Hát Bội artistic heritage to succeeding generations, believing that only national culture can truly express the unique identity and beauty of each country.

With that in mind, the program was elaborately and grandly staged, featuring spectacular performances that captivated the audience, from costumes and makeup to choreography and stage design, all reflecting the rich cultural and historical identity of the nation. The artists successively introduced and performed classic hat boi (traditional Vietnamese opera) pieces such as: the Ancestor Altar Procession, the Grand Ceremony of Building the Royal Court, the village temple festival, the Ky Yen festival… as well as recreating hat boi performances in the daily lives of the people. The performances attracted a large audience, and the Ho Chi Minh City hat boi Art Theatre decided to extend the performance period until January 2nd, 2026.

Besides performing at the theater, the Ho Chi Minh City Traditional Opera Theatre continues to bring traditional opera to the community through two performance venues: the front yard of Hung Temple - Saigon Zoo (Saigon Ward) and Le Van Duyet Mausoleum (Binh Thanh Ward). Both venues attracted large audiences, despite the hot weather and limited seating. Malcolm, a French national working in Ho Chi Minh City, expressed his delight at the performances of traditional Vietnamese culture, with its costumes, makeup, and music . He said: “I’ve been in the city for six years. I love Vietnamese culture; I’ve seen traditional folk music, water puppetry, and today I’m seeing traditional opera. Although I don’t understand much of the story’s meaning, I’m always fascinated by the music, costumes, and the artists’ makeup.”

Young people are returning to traditional culture.

In recent times, traditional art forms have been given special attention by cultural organizations, with continuous organization, revitalization, and performances, helping to strongly spread national art through various information channels and in social life. In particular, many young people, after learning about and experiencing this art form, have come to love, support, and promote it.

Nguyen Hoang Thanh Tam, a first-year student at the University of Information Technology, said: “I follow the fanpage of the Ho Chi Minh City Traditional Opera Theatre, so I know about their performances and often invite my close friends to go see them. Actually, there are plenty of opera videos online, but watching them live on stage is still better. I like opera because of its profound character development, the singing, rhythm, dance, and impressive makeup, which give me a lot of emotions.”

Driven by their passion, many young people have become part of the journey to spread the value of this heritage. Phan Nguyen Thuy Duong, a fourth-year student in Public Relations - Communication at Van Lang University, said: “Before, I knew nothing about traditional Vietnamese opera (hat boi), but after my first performance at the Le Van Duyet Mausoleum, I was captivated by it.” Afterward, Thuy Duong proactively connected with artists at the Ho Chi Minh City Traditional Opera Theatre, assisting the theatre with designing posters for their fanpage, taking photos, and shooting videos. Thuy Duong also proactively applied for an internship at the theatre and invited five fellow students to join, supporting the promotion and dissemination of the theatre's activities across various media channels.

“I want people to see the beauty of this traditional art form. My friends, who initially knew nothing about traditional opera, have fallen in love with it through projects promoting it. I hope to continue contributing my youthful energy to help the theater preserve and spread this traditional art form to today's audience.”

THUY BINH

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/lan-toa-nghe-thuat-hat-boi-post831361.html