RoK director brings unsung Vietnamese heroes to stage
Set in wartime Vietnam, the musical honours the patriotic contributions of citizens, particularly the petite bourgeoisie, who sacrificed wealth and even life for the revolutionary cause
Artists from the Vietnam National Drama Theatre will both sing and act in the musical “Cafe Banh Mi” (Photo: VietnamPlus)
Hanoi (VNA)🍌 – President Ho Chi Minh was a significant figure in the struggle for national independence. The people of Vietnam also played an essential role in this history. This inspiration motivated director Cho Joon Hui from the Republic of Korea (RoK) to create a musical about the late leader and the unsung heroes of this movement.
The musical, staged in celebration of the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day (September 2, 1945 –2025), aims to promote culture, people and history through the language of theatre while fostering art exchanges and cooperation between Vietnam and the RoK.
Director Cho Joon Hui (centre) talks about the musical at the launching ceremony of the musical. (Photo: VietnamPlus)
Through Korean media, he learned that coffee and banh mi are two popular specialties closely associated with the lives of Vietnamese people. Thus, the musical was named Café Banh Mi.
The musical reflects the fervent atmosphere leading up to the 1945 August Revolution, capturing the hardships of war and the indomitable spirit of the Vietnamese people.
Set in wartime Vietnam, the production honours the patriotic contributions of citizens, particularly the petite bourgeoisie, who sacrificed wealth and even life for the revolutionary cause.
Korean creative team at the musical’s launching ceremony. (Photo: VietnamPlus)
Despite facing countless difficulties and hardships, the Vietnamese people firmly believed in victory and were determined not to submit to any oppression from the enemy. Their indomitable spirit during the 1945 August Revolution nobly exemplified patriotism and solidarity. This struggle for independence and freedom affirmed the Vietnamese people's unbreakable will to achieve national liberation.
A lover of history, Cho shared that he felt a deep emotional resonance when reading the script.
He said that Vietnam and the RoK have both suffered from war and fought for independence. However, he noted that stage arts have declined in popularity in the RoK due to K-Pop and the booming entertainment industry. People are no longer drawn to theatre, especially historical works. That’s why he’s pouring his heart into Cafe Banh Mi—not just because of his admiration for President Ho Chi Minh, but also because he hopes to foster cultural exchange between Vietnam and the RoK.
Cho’s connection to Vietnamese performing arts dates back to his school years, when he was impressed by the uniqueness and rich tradition of Vietnamese theatre.
The first show he watched was a water puppet performance about everyday life and he found it humorous, and very enjoyable, he recalled.
Artists participating in the musical. (Photo: VietnamPlus)
His deeper engagement began last year when he was teaching at Dongguk University’s Department of Theatre. One of his students introduced him to artists from the Vietnam National Drama Theatre (VNDT). During a visit to Vietnam, he watched a revolutionary-themed play directed by People’s Artist Xuan Bac which gave him a deeper understanding of Vietnamese performing arts.
This connection, along with the introduction from his student, eventually led him to the script “Café Banh Mi” by writer Seo Sang Wan. Working with artistic director Park Hyun Woo and director Kieu Minh Hieu from the VNDT, Cho decided to stage the production as a musical.
According to Cho, the artists of the VNDT are all experienced in acting and have participated in many plays on revolutionary themes, however musicals are still a new field for them. But he does not view this as a challenge.
“I see determination in their eyes and professionalism in every rehearsal. I believe they’ll do well,” he said./.
The musical, staged in celebration of the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day (September 2, 1945 –2025), aims to promote culture, people and history through the language of theatre while fostering artistic exchange and cooperation between Vietnam and RoK.
The event, hosted by the General Association of Vietnamese People (GAVP) in the RoK under the auspices of the Vietnamese Embassy, blended football, traditional cuisine, and cultural exchanges.
The 300,000 Vietnamese living, working, and studying in the RoK and the nearly 200,000 Koreans residing in Vietnam serve as a bridge for Vietnam-RoK relationship.
Held on September 13-14, ManiFiesta – the annual festival of solidarity organised by the Workers' Party of Belgium – drew tens of thousands of participants from across Belgium and neighbouring countries. Alongside music, debates and cultural exchanges, Vietnam made a strong impression with a booth rich in national identity.
Vietnam’s top female badminton player Nguyen Thuy Linh, ranked 18th in the world, was unable to defend her title after losing 0-2 to Cai Yan Yan of China (world No. 107) in the women’s singles final of Yonex-Sunrise Vietnam Open 2025.
At Nhan Dan’s pavilion, visitors encountered a vivid chronicle of Vietnam’s milestones under the Communist Party of Vietnam and the late President Ho Chi Minh’s leadership, from the struggle for independence and reunification to modern development and global integration. Special publications marking Vietnam’s 80th National Day, coupled with performances by Vietnamese artists, intricate handicrafts, and fragrant dishes, had foreign visitors lining up in droves.
Vietnamese singer Duc Phuc will be among 23 artists from 23 countries participating in Intervision 2025, an international music competition often described as the “Eurovision of Eurasia", in Russia.
The event aims to promote solidarity among ethnic minorities, particularly the Cham people, in southern and south-central Vietnam, following the recent merger of provincial-level administrative units.
The animated feature Buffalo Kids, hitting Vietnamese theatres on September 12, is developed from the record-breaking short Strings (2024), which holds the Guinness World Record for the most awarded short film in history.
The national achievement exhibition, themed “80 Years of Independence – Freedom – Happiness,” is the largest of its kind held in Vietnam so far, bringing together 28 ministries and central agencies, 34 localities, 16 state-owned economic corporations, and 94 leading private enterprises.
Victory Vietnam by Swedish film director Bo Öhlén is a deeply moving and authentic documentary, officially premiered in April 2025 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification of Vietnam (April 30, 1975 – 2025).
The LION Championship 26 (LC26) will take place at Tay Ho Gymnasium in Hanoi on September 13, with the spotlight on the debut of World WBC Muay Thai Champion Truong Cao Minh Phat, who will square off against Irish fighter Aaron Clarke in the 61kg MMA Striking category.
The archives consist of administrative records, maps, and technical drawings from 1911–1955 left by French coal companies, along with images capturing coal mining, colonial architecture, miners’ lives, and the local community. These materials not only carry historical value but also offer vivid insights into Quang Ninh’s socio-economic landscape before 1955.
Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage and stunning landscapes are taking centre stage at the third photo exhibition “Vietnam Through the Lens of International Photographers”, which opened in Hue city on September 10.
The Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations (HUFO) hosted a screening of the film Mua do (Red Rain) on September 9 for members of the consular corps and Lao and Cambodian students studying in the city, a part of activities marking the 80th anniversary of National Day (September 2, 1945 – 2025),
With this victory, Vietnam finished at the top of Group C with nine points, officially securing a place in the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 Finals, scheduled for January 2026.
On the opening day, Vietnam’s Vu Thi Trang played the first match for the host country, defeating Indonesia’s Aashi Rawat 2-1, marking an encouraging start for the home team.
The Cultural Day is expected to help further strengthen the Vietnam – RoK friendship while reaffirming Hue’s determination to expand international exchanges and assert its role as a cultural and tourism hub of the country.
Now in its second year, the event has grown into a dazzling cultural, culinary, and artistic extravaganza in the heart of London, celebrating the identity, diversity, and unity of the Southeast Asian region.
This year’s festival will offer audiences the chance to discover seven outstanding documentaries from seven foreign countries, along with 11 works from host Vietnam.
Inspired by the renowned Turkish novel "Madonna in a Fur Coat", the film portrays the tender love story of Manav (Shantanu Maheshwari), a young man aspiring to become a singer who is sent to study in Vietnam. There, he is enchanted by the self-portrait of Linh (Kha Ngan), a painter and dancer, setting the stage for a poignant romance.
