The Consulate General of Vietnam in Vancouver solemnly celebrated the 80th anniversary of National Day, September 2nd.

Tổng lãnh sự quán Việt Nam tại Vancouver long trọng tổ chức kỷ niệm 80 năm Quốc khánh 2/9

Delegates attend the 80th Anniversary of National Day September 2 in Vancouver.

On August 28, at the York Theatre in Vancouver, the Consulate General of Vietnam in Vancouver, Canada solemnly held a ceremony to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

The commemorative program consisted of two parts, a musical performance at the York Theatre and a reception in the theatre lobby. At the performance in this important event, Consul General Phan Kieu Thu participated in the performance with artists Pham Tuan and Quang Huy from the Vietnam National Music and Dance Theatre and a dance group.

The program received enthusiastic response and support from many overseas Vietnamese, Vietnamese people working in Canada and international friends.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Phan Kieu Thu, Consul General of Vietnam in Vancouver, expressed the pride of the entire nation on every occasion of National Day September 2, since September 2, 1945 when President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Consul General Phan Kieu Thu reviewed important achievements in economic development, social progress and international position during Vietnam's glorious 80-year journey.

The Consul General highly appreciated the efforts of the Vietnamese community in Vancouver and surrounding areas in preserving culture and strengthening connections to spread the image of the country and people of Vietnam to Canadian friends.

Also at the ceremony, Speaker of the British Columbia (BC) Legislative Assembly Raj Chouhan, Parliamentary Secretary Susie Chant, and Deputy Mayor of Vancouver Sarah Kirby Young delivered congratulatory speeches to the government and people of Vietnam.

The delegates highly appreciated the achievements Vietnam has made over the past 80 years. They also highlighted the great contributions in culture, education , economy, etc. of the Vietnamese community in BC province in general and Vancouver in particular.

Consul General Phan Kieu Thu and the dance group performed at the event.

Consul General Phan Kieu Thu performed at the event.

The celebration featured 11 special musical performances including heroic songs about love for the country and people of Vietnam. That love is expressed through the 80-year journey of building and defending the Vietnamese homeland and is now conveyed by the artists through traditional songs, dances and music.

The song "Melody of the Fatherland" in the heart of every Vietnamese child, the two words "Fatherland" are always sacred and full of pride. Fatherland - is not only the name of a beloved S-shaped strip of land, but also the gentle lullaby of the mother, the folk song at the cradle, the blood of Lac Hong flowing in the heart of each of us. Fatherland - is four thousand years of history, is many generations of ancestors sacrificed, built and preserved. The trio singing this song really touched the hearts of the audience in Vancouver. An audience member said after the performance "I felt my heart tighten when listening to the Melody of the Fatherland".

Next is an emotional song - "The train passes the mountain" by musician Phan Lac Hoa. The song tells the story of a train driver's love for the girl he loves - who died because of a mine left over from the war, on the first trans-Vietnam railway.

Although filled with pain, the song does not sow pessimism. On the contrary, each melody is filled with hope and optimism - like the great love that overcomes bombs and loss. This song was performed by Consul General Phan Kieu Thu. The audience also responded enthusiastically and sang along to the song "Hanoi - Faith and Hope" performed by Ms. Kieu Thu.

After the work "Hanoi, Faith and Hope", the powerful voice of artist Quang Huy seems to lead us back to the Northwest mountains and forests, where sincere and simple love blooms in the middle of the forest through the famous song "Chiec Khan Pieu", composed by musician Doan Nho. The song is a passionate confession of a mountain boy to an ethnic girl - with a red Pieu scarf like a burning heart, like the love for the homeland that is always lasting and brilliant.

The music program continued with the soulful voice of male singer Pham Tuan. The song took us from the North to the fields of storks flying in the beloved South - where human love is always abundant. The song "Love you" by musician Huy Du was also a highlight of the performance. This is a work written about the faithful love of a Vietnamese woman for her beloved husband who is away fighting.

The folk dances performed at the celebration made the audience especially excited as they entered a colorful space - where the lights were sparkling, where the joy of the festival was infused with every graceful step. The "Lantern Festival" dance - is not only a vivid picture of folk cultural life, but also a symbol of joy, hope and the connection between people and the earth and sky.

The musical performance celebrating the 80th Anniversary of Vietnam National Day was a great success. This was the result of months of preparation by the Vietnamese Consulate General in Vancouver and a group of artists and actors, especially two singers from the Vietnam National Music and Dance Theater.

Many Vietnamese people as well as international friends expressed deep impressions when having the opportunity to enjoy unique Vietnamese music and cuisine in the land of maple leaves.

After the performance, many people asked to meet the artists to express their emotions, many people were in tears, many others shared their feelings about the Anniversary on social networking sites. VTV4 and Hanoi Television have and will report on the program as well as conduct short interviews with the Consul General and the audience about the program.