HCM CITY— A series of cultural activities and art shows will be organised in HCM City to celebrate the 79th anniversary of National Day (September 2, 1945-2024). 

A music gala featuring Vietnamese music and theatre will open at 8pm on Nguyễn Huệ Pedestrian Street in District 1 on September 2. 

The event will feature dozens of young and veteran performers from local art troupes, including the region’s leading Trần Hữu Trang Cải Lương Theatre and Phương Nam Art Troupe. 

Artists in different genres of traditional theatre, such as cải lương (reformed opera) of the South and tuồng (classical drama) of the Central region, will be included. 

Highlighted performances will include revolutionary songs and dances in praise of the country, the late President Hồ Chí Minh, Việt Nam Heroic Mothers and soldiers. 

Young pop idols will sing songs of love and youth. 

“Our event’s artists will use their art to introduce the country’s history, culture and lifestyle,” said Võ Hồ Hoàng Vũ from the Department of Culture and Sports, a member of the organising board. 

Nguyễn Huệ Pedestrian Street will be lit up with thousands of LED lights during the three-day holiday (August 31-September 2). 

An outdoor photo and book exhibition will begin on September 1 at the city’s Book Street on Nguyễn Văn Bình Street, District 1. 

It will feature the changes in Việt Nam and outstanding achievements attained in recent years. 

Highlighted photos and documents tell the stories of people all over the country who took part in the August Revolution on August 19, 1945, led by the visionary Hồ Chí Minh and Indochinese Communist Party to achieve independence. 

The exhibition will run through September 10. 

Hồ Chí Minh City Television will air a special film week featuring Vietnamese revolutionary cinema starting on August 30. 

Prize-winning films, produced by southern film directors and artists of the Southern Cinematography and Photography Branch (SCPB) during the anti-French and American wars, are introduced. 

Highlighted works include Chị Tư Hậu (MrsTư Hậu) by late director Phạm Kỳ Nam in 1962 and Vĩ Tuyến 17 Ngày Và Đêm (17th Parallel, Days and Nights) by late director Hải Ninh in 1972.

The Hồ Chí Minh Musuem has launched exhibitions and showcases dedicated to President Hồ Chí Minh’s life and career.

Many documents, artefacts, objects, images, videos and films, many gifted from international organisations and collectors, are displayed to the public. 

The city will host two 15-minute fireworks shows at 9 pm on September 2. 

A high-altitude firework display will be held at Thủ Thiêm Tunnel in Thủ Đức City and a low-altitude display will be set off at Đầm Sen Cultural Park in District 11. — VNS