A night of music, memory and national pride at “Fatherland in Our Hearts”

Many Party and State leaders attend the special political-art programme jointly organised by Nhan Dan (People) newspaper and the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, in the leadup to National Day (September 2) celebrations

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At the main stage in Van Phuc Urban Area, the concert opens with a flag-raising ceremony performed by the ceremonial honour guard. Despite a sudden heavy downpour, the ceremony proceeds solemnly as delegates and thousands of spectators sing the national anthem in the rain.

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The concert opens with a re-creation of the moment President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence at Ba Dinh Square in 1945, followed by songs recalling the years of war, including Nam Bộ kháng chiến, Vì nhân dân quên mình, Hò kéo pháo, and Hành quân xa.

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The stirring atmosphere continues with a medley from “Tiểu đoàn 307,” one of the songs associated with the wartime years.

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The song Chiến thắng Điện Biên recalls the historic victory at Dien Bien Phu in May 1954 and the spirit of the generation that fought for national independence.

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Veteran Nguyen The Nghia recounts the story of the flag painted in blood by Phu Quoc prisoners during their years of imprisonment.

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Singers Lam Bao Ngoc and Hoang Bach perform the song Mùa xuân trên Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, a song celebrating the city’s liberation and transformation.

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Around 40,000 spectators attend the concert in person at Van Phuc Urban Area, while another 20,000 follow the programme through livestream screens along Nguyen Hue pedestrian street.

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The concert unfolds in three chapters - “Non sông một dải” (A unified land), “Sắc đỏ tự hào” (The proud red colour), and “Tổ quốc trong tim” (Fatherland in the heart), tracing the journey from the struggle for national independence and reunification to the pride and aspirations of today’s generation.

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The ceremonial march featuring military and police formations is one of the highlights of the “Fatherland in Our Hearts” concert.

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The Five Army Corps formation opens the ceremonial march to cheers from thousands of spectators.

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A contingent of male People's Public Security officers takes part in the ceremonial march to the beat of a stirring military march.

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Officers salute the national flag during the ceremony.

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Female officers and peacekeepers of the Vietnam People’s Army march onto the stage.

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The southern female guerrilla formation recreates the image of women whose resilience became a symbol of the struggle to defend the fatherland.

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Young people sing songs celebrating President Ho Chi Minh and the revolutionary spirit of generations past.

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Songs throughout the concert evoke revolutionary years, wartime memories and historic moments in the nation’s struggle for independence and reunification.

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Singer Noo Phuoc Thinh performs the song “Nhà tôi có treo một lá cờ” (My house displays a flag) to close the concert with the image of the national flag in every Vietnamese home.