Traditional and contemporary arts brought closer to the public

In Hanoi, thousands of people gathered at Cau Giay Park to enjoy the program “From the autumn of independence,” presented by the Thang Long Song, Dance and Music Theatre. Numerous cheo, cai luong, drama, circus, water puppetry, and song-and-dance programs were also organized in Ngoc Hoi, Quang Minh, Binh Minh, Hat Mon, Ba Vi, and Hai Ba Trung.

On September 1 and 2, theatres will continue bringing artistic programs to the communes of Dan Phuong, Minh Chau, Phuc Son, Bat Trang, and Dai Xuyen, as well as the area around Ba Kieu Temple’s flower garden. The Vietnam Circus Federation is staging multiple performances of “Vietnamese spirit” at the Central Circus from August 29 to September 6. The Vietnam National Drama Theatre is also presenting 24 free performances of “Uncle Ho - Two sacred words” in Hanoi and several provinces and cities.

The “Hanoi - From the historic autumn of 1945” program, a major event of Hanoi, is part of a series of activities marking the 81st anniversary of the success of the August Revolution and Vietnam’s National Day. (Photo: Nhan Dan Newspaper)

People’s Artist Thu Huyen, Director of the Hanoi Cheo Theatre, said that artists are ready to perform for the public in public spaces, thereby helping traditional and contemporary arts reach a wider audience in everyday life.

Alongside the free programs, Hanoi is also introducing a number of signature artistic productions associated with the capital, including “The charm of Hanoi Cheo” at Dai Nam Theatre on August 26, “Hanoi stories - A very Hanoi day” at the Thang Long Song, Dance and Music Theatre, and the cai luong play “The Hanoi girl” at Chuong Vang Theatre on August 29.

In Ho Chi Minh City, the City Opera House premiered the play “The old shirt, though wrinkled” on the nights of August 29 and 30. The production was staged by director Minh Nguyet and the Moon Theatre troupe, and adapted from the short story “The hair” by scholar Cao Huy Thuan, with music by Trinh Cong Son serving as its emotional thread.

The 5B Theatre is presenting “Midnight song” and bringing the revolutionary play “Comrades” to audiences on September 2, while offering 50% discounts on tickets for veterans, teachers, school pupils, and students. Several other theatres are also presenting “Beneath the beauty’s shadow” and “Who travels ten thousand miles.”

On the evening of September 2, the Tran Huu Trang Cai Luong Theatre will stage a 120-minute program in Thoi Hoa Ward. The Ho Chi Minh City Hat Boi Theatre will bring this traditional art form to Nguyen Van Binh Book Street that afternoon.

In Quang Ninh, more than 100,000 people gathered at the October 30 Square and along Tran Quoc Nghien coastal road on the evening of August 28 to enjoy the artistic program “Quang Ninh - A city radiant with the future,” celebrating Quang Ninh’s establishment as a centrally governed city.

The program featured around 1,000 artists and lasted 120 minutes, combining live-action dance, circus performances, and 3D Mapping technology. The show concluded with 3,000 unmanned aerial vehicles filling the sky over Ha Long Bay. The Vietnam Records Organization subsequently confirmed that it was the artistic program held beside a heritage site with the largest number of in-person spectators in the country.

This year’s National Day artistic programs are being organized in a more accessible, fresh, and creative manner. Professional arts are being brought to suburban communes and wards, book streets, and heritage sites, while performance technologies such as 3D Mapping, multisensory staging, and unmanned aerial vehicles are also being incorporated.

Expanding cultural and tourism experiences

During the National Day holiday, many localities are organizing cultural, artistic, and tourism activities to offer additional experiences for residents and visitors.

At the Sa Pa National Tourism Area in Lao Cai Province, the Sa Pa Autumn Festival is attracting large numbers of visitors. During the first two days of the holiday, the locality is estimated to have welcomed tens of thousands of visitors. On the evening of August 29, a program recreating a highland market and the Sa Pa Love Market took place at the Sa Pa Cultural Space, offering opportunities to enjoy local cuisine, interact with artisans, and learn about traditional crafts and customs of ethnic communities.

Cultural and tourism programs in Sa Pa will continue through the end of September, including a cultural and culinary space at Ban May, the first Northwestern Brocade Carnival, and the “Golden Hues in the Clouds 2026” program.

At the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism in Dong Mo, a northern highland market space has been recreated under the theme “Highlands in celebration.” Forty stalls showcase local products and traditional cuisine of the Tay, Nung, H’Mong, Dao, Thai, and other ethnic groups that regularly operate at the Village.

Many distinctive cultural activities and experiential programs are being held in Sa Pa during the National Day holiday. (Photo: Nhan Dan Newspaper).

Visitors can enjoy the Nung ethnic group’s lion-cat dance, folk song and dance performances under the theme “Celebrating the Independence Festival,” and H’Mong khen performances. Three traditional rituals have also been recreated: the Nung’s Ceremony for a Bountiful Harvest, an excerpt from the Dao wedding procession ceremony, and the Thai New Rice Celebration. At the Ba Na and Raglai ethnic villages, the program “Highlands Celebrate the Independence Festival” is also taking place.

Da Nang City has prepared nearly 40 activities and events for residents and visitors during the holiday. A highlight is Hoi An Creative Week 2026, which opened on the evening of August 28 under the theme “A journey to touch heritage, touch creativity.” Activities are being held at Hoai River Square, An Hoi Sculpture Garden, the Hoi An Theatre area, and the alleys of the ancient town.

Young visitors can take part in the “Art across the arteries” challenge, using GPS navigation to explore heritage sites and scanning QR codes at ancient cultural artifacts, while also directly participating in hands-on activities and creative arts.

In Ca Mau, the 2026 Hot Air Balloon Festival and Heritage Cultural Day are taking place from August 27 to September 2. The series of events introduces a range of traditional cultural forms, including Southern amateur music, water puppetry, Ca tru, Then singing, bai choi, and quan ho folk singing.

The program also features the Ca Mau Provincial Investment Promotion Conference, a space introducing the salt-making craft of Bac Lieu, hot air balloon activities, a hot air balloon lantern night, an artistic fireworks display, and a flag-raising and national anthem ceremony at the Hanoi–Ca Mau Cape Flag Tower, featuring a national flag covering more than 2,000 square meters.

These activities contribute to creating a distinctive cultural and tourism space, expanding experiences for residents and visitors, while strengthening connections among local authorities, businesses, and communities.

The Independence Festival spirit spreads from cities to all regions

According to VietnamPlus, on the morning of August 30, the second nationwide “Walking Together with Vietnam” event took place simultaneously in 34 provinces and cities, under the message “A Journey of 10 Billion Green Steps – For a Sustainable Vietnam.” Millions of people participated, looking ahead to National Day while expressing a spirit of solidarity and national pride. In many localities, streets, residential areas, and community spaces were decorated with flags and flowers, while cultural, artistic, sporting, and experiential programs were held throughout the holiday.

Hanoi Tourism in September: Visitor Numbers Double Due to Independence Day Celebration In September 2025, Hanoi welcomed 4.17 million visitors, marking a historic high and a 98% surge compared to the same period in 2024. The unprecedented growth is largely attributed to the vibrant festivities commemorating the 80th anniversary of Independence Day on September 2 (A80) held in the capital city.

Hanoi Offers Free Bus and Train Rides for Independence Day Holiday From August 29 to September 2, Hanoi offers free rides on buses and two urban railway lines, while also deploying additional transport arrangements to meet the travel needs of residents and tourists.