On the evening of August 31, 2025, at the National Exhibition Center (Dong Anh, Hanoi), the art program “Hanoi – Forever Shining the Aspiration of Vietnam” took place. The program was broadcast live on Hanoi Radio and Television and on digital platforms.
Delegates and the people attending the program – Photo by: PM
“Hanoi – Forever Shining the Aspiration of a Thousand-Year City” is an art program directed in content by the Hanoi City Party Committee, the Hanoi People’s Council, the Hanoi People’s Committee, and the Hanoi City Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, organized by the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, and performed by the Thang Long Water Puppet Theater. The program is part of the activities of the exhibition “Achievements of the Country” with the theme “80 Years Journey of Independence – Freedom – Happiness” and is also one of the meaningful events celebrating the 80th anniversary of the successful August Revolution and National Day on September 2 of Hanoi.
The program was organized to honor the outstanding achievements of the country in general and of the capital Hanoi in particular throughout 80 years of building and development. At the same time, it serves as a deep tribute to the generations of predecessors who devoted themselves and sacrificed for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland.
Vice Chairman of Hanoi People’s Committee Vu Thu Ha delivering the opening speech – Photo by: PM
Delegates attending the program included: Nguyen Van Phong, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi City Party Committee; Vu Thu Ha, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee – Deputy Head of the Steering Committee of the National Achievements Exhibition; Pham Quy Tien, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Council; Pham Thi Thanh Mai, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Council – Deputy Head of the Hanoi City National Assembly Delegation; Bach Lien Huong, Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports; Dao Xuan Dung, Deputy Head of the Hanoi City Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department. Also attending were representatives of leaders from 33 provinces and centrally-governed cities, leaders of central ministries, agencies, and leaders of departments, sectors, and localities in Hanoi.
Impressive flag-raising segment of the program – Photo by: PM
In her opening speech, Hanoi People’s Committee Vice Chairman Vu Thu Ha stated: “Participating in the exhibition ‘80 Years Journey of Independence – Freedom – Happiness’, Hanoi introduces two exhibition spaces. The first is ‘Socio-Economic Achievements of the Capital’ with the theme ‘Hanoi – a cultured and heroic capital: 80 years journey alongside the country’, and the second is the space ‘Hanoi Tradition and Creativity 2025’, promoting socio-economic, cultural, tourism, and creative industry achievements – key sectors in the capital’s main economy; showcasing handicraft products, technology, high-tech industries, ornamental plants, and presenting traditional craft villages, cuisine, and cultural experiences.”
People’s Artist Thu Huyen performing in the program – Photo by: PM
Vice Chairman Vu Thu Ha emphasized: “Along with the two exhibition and display spaces, the special art program ‘Hanoi – Forever Shining the Aspiration of Vietnam’ aims to let audiences, citizens, and visitors immerse themselves in the historical moments of the August Revolution and National Day on September 2, to deeply feel a resilient and indomitable yet elegant and refined Hanoi, a Hanoi that, together with the entire country, pursues the goal of developing Vietnam into a strong, prosperous, and happy nation.”
Drum performance in the program – Photo by: PM
The art program “Hanoi – The Everlasting Aspiration of Vietnam” was meticulously staged in three chapters, featuring vocal and dance performances, stage tableaux, historical archival images, and the integration of modern presentation technologies such as 3D mapping, multi-tiered staging combined with laser effects, and more. Chapter I, titled “Hanoi: Day, Month, Year,” depicts the historic moment of September 2, 1945, and highlights the role of the capital city of Hanoi in the struggle for independence and national reunification – an epic page of history imbued with the love and heartfelt devotion of the people of Hanoi. Chapter II, “Hanoi in the Eyes of Who,” introduces outstanding achievements in socio-economic development as well as culture, education, and science of the capital city of Hanoi over 80 years of accompanying the nation. Chapter III, “A New Day for Vietnam,” recreates the image of a dynamic, integrated, and modern capital, expressing the determination to build Hanoi as a city that is “Cultured – Civilized – Modern,” contributing to a prosperous and happy Vietnam.
The program was elaborately and impressively staged – Photo by: PM
The program opened with the ceremonial drum performance “The Heroic Spirit of Vietnam,” followed by works such as the instrumental piece “The Time Has Come” and the songs “August Nineteenth,” “He Is Ho Chi Minh,” and “Tien quan ca,” leading the audience back to the nation’s glorious historical moments – the August Revolution and National Day on September 2, 1945. Notably, during “Tien quan ca,” the flag-saluting ritual and flag-raising ceremony were conducted solemnly, accompanied by a powerful performance of the National Anthem with the participation of more than 2,000 singers, artists, and performers, together with the voices of a large audience, creating a sacred atmosphere that awakened the strength and the spirit of unity of the Vietnamese nation.
An impressive paragliding performance in the program – Photo by: PM
Alongside the songs “Continuing the Story of Peace,” “Vietnam in Me,” and “My Vietnam,” the program also brought audiences many songs themed around Hanoi, such as “The People of Hanoi,” “Will Return to the Capital,” “Marching Toward Hanoi,” “The Spirit of Hanoi,” “Are You the Autumn of Hanoi,” “Remembering Hanoi’s Autumn,” “Hanoi – Twelve Seasons of Flowers,” “Hanoi – Faith and Hope,” “Sacred and Elegant Hanoi,” and “Ho Guom at Dawn.”
Through these works, the program portrayed a Hanoi that is resilient and indomitable in wartime, elegant and refined in peace, and a capital city that is constantly renewing itself – dynamic and modern – making strong strides together with the whole country into a new era, an era of national advancement.
In particular, audiences also enjoyed the traditional cheo melody “Dao lieu” and the xam piece “Thang Long Rises,” performed through a fusion of traditional and modern arts, leaving a deep emotional impression. Moreover, the program featured an artistic paragliding performance carrying the National Flag across the sky, together with a brilliant artistic fireworks display harmonized with music, creating a dazzling and distinctive panorama.
Organizers, delegates, and artists greeting the audience at the close of the program – Photo by: PM
Participating in the performances of “Hanoi – The Everlasting Aspiration of Vietnam” were familiar artists and singers such as People’s Artist Thu Huyen, Meritorious Artist Dang Duong; singers Dong Hung, Anh Tu, Lam Bao Ngoc, Ngoc Anh, Do To Hoa, the group Oplus, Ram C, An Thu An, Ha Trang, Huyen Trang, Hau Tran, Thanh Tung; along with the participation of saxophonist Hoang Tung, violinist Huyen Anh, pianist Trung Duc, the Phuong Nguyen Dance Troupe, and others. The program contributed to spreading the beauty of Vietnam, of the land and people of Hanoi – the heroic Capital City, the City for Peace, the Creative City – and above all, it truly stands as a meaningful artistic work of the capital city of Hanoi in celebration of the 80th anniversary of the success of the August Revolution (18/8/1945 – 19/8/2025) and National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (2/9/1945 – 2/9/2025).
Reporter