The performance marks the anniversary of June 5, 1911, when Nguyen Tat Thanh, later known as Ho Chi Minh, left Nha Rong Wharf in Saigon to begin a decades-long journey abroad that would shape Vietnam’s revolutionary path.

Scheduled to take place at the Ho Chi Minh City Opera House, the 80-minute programme combines music, dance and theatrical performance to portray key moments in Ho Chi Minh’s life and revolutionary career.

The programme is divided into three chapters - Following the Old Footsteps, Uncle Ho’s Words in Our Hearts, and His Light Illuminates Our Lives.

Through orchestral music, stage performance and visual storytelling, the production retraces Ho Chi Minh’s journey from his childhood in Nghe An province to his departure from Nha Rong Wharf and more than three decades traveling across continents in search of a path for national independence.

The opening chapter recreates the atmosphere of his hometown of Lang Sen and the historic wharf through emotional musical works such as “From Lang Sen Village” and “Visiting Nha Rong Wharf.”

The image of the young Nguyen Tat Thanh is portrayed as a patriotic figure driven by a determination to find a future for the Vietnamese people during a period of colonial rule.

The second chapter, Uncle Ho’s Words in Our Hearts, combines symphonic music with theatrical performance under the direction of conductor Tran Nhat Minh and the Saigon Pops Orchestra.

The production depicts Ho Chi Minh’s experiences across different continents, his encounters with workers and oppressed peoples, and the historical influences that contributed to the formation of his political and social ideals.

Rather than focusing solely on historical reconstruction, the final chapter connects Ho Chi Minh’s legacy with contemporary Vietnam.

Images of modern Ho Chi Minh City, along with stories of ordinary people contributing to society through work, creativity and community engagement, are presented as reflections of the values he inspired.

The performance concludes with a grand chorus titled Proud Vietnam, featuring singer Vo Ha Tram and a large ensemble of performers, delivering messages of national pride, aspiration and continuity.

The programme is organised by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports and produced by the City Arts Center under the direction of director Binh Hung.

Organisers said the performance is intended not only as a commemorative cultural event but also as an opportunity for audiences to reflect on Ho Chi Minh’s historic journey and the enduring influence of his ideas and aspirations in modern Vietnam.

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