Proudly portraying the image of President Ho Chi Minh.

Generations of artists have expressed their pride in having the honor of portraying President Ho Chi Minh on stage in the Cai Luong play "From Viet Bac to Hanoi".

Premiering on the evenings of August 11th and 12th at the Hanoi Grand Opera House, the Cai Luong play "From Viet Bac to Hanoi" - part 3 of the epic art series "A Thousand Miles of Homeland" - is a special milestone of the Vietnam National Traditional Theatre in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day on September 2nd (1945-2025).

Rich in narrative and emotional depth.

This Cai Luong (Vietnamese traditional opera) play will recreate a significant historical period of the nation, adding a new milestone in the portrayal of President Ho Chi Minh on the traditional stage. After its premiere in Hanoi, the play is expected to tour Ho Chi Minh City and many other provinces and cities.

Adapted into Cai Luong (Vietnamese traditional opera) by Hoang Song Viet from the novel by Associate Professor-Doctor Nguyen The Ky, and directed by Doctor-People's Artist Trieu Trung Kien, Part 3 "From Viet Bac to Hanoi" takes viewers back in time. It covers the period from Nguyen Ai Quoc's return to the homeland in early 1941, his arduous journeys throughout the Viet Bac war zones to build up forces, to the August Revolution of 1945 and the historic moment when President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence at Ba Dinh Square.

People's Artist Trieu Trung Kien has created a play rich in narrative, with each scene possessing emotional depth. Audiences will encounter President Ho Chi Minh as a symbolic leader, seeing him in everyday life with a simple, subtle, decisive, and compassionate acting style. "This is also the core element for the artists participating in the work to express their emotions effectively, because a work about President Ho Chi Minh requires simplicity and authenticity," shared People's Artist Trieu Trung Kien.

Artist Van Thuan (center) on the rehearsal stage for the Cai Luong play "From Viet Bac to Hanoi". Photo: VOV

After careful consideration, People's Artist Trieu Trung Kien chose artist Van Thuan – who not only had a suitable appearance but also persevered in rigorous training to achieve a voice and lyrics that captured the essence of President Ho Chi Minh. Artist Van Thuan confided: "The most difficult thing is not just 'resembling' President Ho Chi Minh in appearance, but expressing his character and soul – his experience, wisdom, and boundless love for his compatriots and soldiers. Every gesture of raising a teacup, every step taken amidst the mountains and forests of Viet Bac, every steadfast gaze when discussing strategy… I had to carefully study from documentary films, images, and the meticulous guidance of the creative team."

Before artist Van Thuan, many artists had successfully portrayed President Ho Chi Minh on stage, such as People's Artist Thanh Dien, People's Artist Tran Luc, artist Minh Hai, Hoang Quoc Thanh, etc.

Balancing epic qualities with the viewer's emotions.

"From Viet Bac to Hanoi" continues the tradition of Vietnamese theater in staging works about President Ho Chi Minh. Prior to this, many plays had left a deep impression, such as "White Night," "Ancient Traces," "The Legendary Portrait," "The Journey to Find the Portrait," and "The Homeland at the End of the Road"... In each play, in each period, the artists found their own way of portraying him: sometimes President Ho Chi Minh at the negotiating table, sometimes in the war zone, and sometimes in a moment of quiet contemplation.

The common thread among these works is that they not only recreate the portrait of the leader, but also touch the hearts of the audience with everyday, simple yet moving moments – making Uncle Ho not just a political figure, but also a relatable human being, full of compassion.

The investment in staging "From Viet Bac to Hanoi" with a team of renowned artists such as People's Artist Trong Dai (music), People's Artist Doan Bang (fine arts), Meritorious Artist Tien Dai (costumes), Pham Huong (makeup for President Ho Chi Minh)... demonstrates the determination of the Vietnam National Traditional Theatre in creating a work that is both historically accurate and rich in artistic impact.

More than simply recounting events, this cải lương (Vietnamese traditional opera) is a profound tribute to the leader who guided the nation through major turning points. When the curtain closes, the image of President Ho Chi Minh, simple in his faded khaki uniform, with his bright eyes and gentle smile, remains etched in the hearts of the audience. This image reminds us that history is not just found in books, but is also alive in art, in the memories of every Vietnamese person.

"From Viet Bac to Hanoi" proves that cải lương (Vietnamese traditional opera) – despite being over a century old – is still capable of handling grand themes, provided the creative team finds a way to tell the story that harmonizes epic elements with the audience's emotions. The right actors, the creation of a compelling artistic space, and especially the portrayal of characters retaining the "spirit" of President Ho Chi Minh, are the key factors in the play's success.

People's Artist Thanh Dien had the honor of portraying President Ho Chi Minh twice in the plays "White Night" and "Ancient Traces." He shared: "Depicting the image of President Ho Chi Minh on stage has never been purely an artistic endeavor. It is a political and cultural responsibility, requiring artists to both respect historical truth and be creative in infusing the character with the breath of life. If recreated in a rigid way, President Ho Chi Minh will only be a static 'monument'; but if too much fictionalization is involved, the image will lose its authenticity and its power to spread."

Source: https://nld.com.vn/tu-hao-khac-hoa-hinh-tuong-bac-ho-196250808214152853.htm