Student brings musical theater closer to young audiences in Hanoi
Musical theater may still sit at the margins of Vietnam’s cultural life but on a student-built stage in Hanoi, young performers are quietly closing that gap and inviting the public into the world of song, movement and storytelling.
THE HANOI TIMES — Musical theater remains a niche art form for many Vietnamese audiences but on a student-built stage in Hanoi, young performers are steadily narrowing that distance and drawing the public closer.
This effort was on full display on January 11, when Cuong Khuc Reu Phong premiered at the National Economics University, opening the 2026 artistic season of the Hall of Arts Club (HOA) and underscoring a deliberate effort to make musical theatre more accessible and engaging for young audiences.
The organizers are a collective of young people passionate about musical theater.
The musical is set in Mossrealm, a dystopian world where humans, beastfolk, elves and androids coexist but remain divided. At its center is Myn, a nameless girl drawn into a mysterious destiny. Along her journey, she meets three unlikely companions. From strangers, they learn trust and unity while searching for a way to heal their fractured world and discover their true selves.
For the Hall of Arts Club, Cuong Khuc Reu Phong is also a bold creative experiment, as students took charge of storytelling, character building, sound design, lighting and stage aesthetics.
The result is a vibrant theatrical experience that blends adventure, humor and moments of reflection, anchored in a message of hope, empathy and connection.
Myn, main character of the musical.
Cuong Khuc Reu Phong marks a bold experiment for Hall of Arts Club, from storytelling and character-building to sound design, lighting and performance aesthetics. Audiences were promised a vibrant, funky theatrical experience blending adventure, humor and contemplative moments.
A scene depicting humanity turning on and slaughtering itself because of misunderstanding in the play.
Nguyen Viet Thanh, Executive Producer of HOA25, said the project carried deep emotional weight for the team.
“Finishing this production left me deeply emotional, not because it was my work, but it represents the shared devotion, sweat and spirit of an entire team. These are youthful memories no one will look back on with regret.”
Thanh said musical theater is not entirely new in Vietnam but has yet to fully reach the public.
“We hope to keep bringing this art form closer to audiences, starting right here at National Economics University (NEU). A student-built stage can inspire people to appreciate, cherish and support musical theatre.”
He added that the club has pursued this goal through annual productions. Previous shows such as HOA24 and Prelude to Moonlight were warmly received by young audiences and earned positive feedback from media outlets and theatre professionals.
Behind the scenes, the production demanded months of commitment. Doan Thi Ngan Ha, known as Bear, said long nights of rehearsals and prop making defined the experience.
“I saw the entire team staying until one or two in the morning to rehearse, adjust staging and finish props while still managing their studies. That dedication inspired me and kept me going.”
On stage, every effort felt worthwhile. “Standing there and building Mossrealm with my teammates was exhilarating. It is a memory I will always treasure,” Ha stated.
Audience reactions suggested the production’s message and energy resonated beyond the cast. Ha Anh Tu, a 4th-year student at the Hanoi University of Culture, said the nearly three-hour performance held his attention throughout.
“The emotions never dipped. The music, visuals and message were outstanding. Compared to last year, the growth in cast quality and staging was remarkable,” Tu shared.
Another audience, Nguyen Hai Nam, a 2nd-year student from NEU, said he arrived with modest expectations but left impressed. “The acting, choreography and overall staging surprised me. Musical theatre is difficult because it combines singing, dancing and acting. To do it well requires real talent and dedication.”
As the Hall of Arts Club’s artistic curtain raiser for 2026, Cuong Khuc Reu Phong stands as a testament to the creative force of NEU students passionate about musical theatre. From its dystopian narrative of healing to the discipline behind the scenes and the response from audiences, the production shows how student theatre can deliver meaningful artistic experiences.
More than a single performance, HOA25 signals a new chapter in making musical theatre visible, accessible and exciting for young people.
If this opening milestone is any indication, 2026 promises further breakthroughs for the Hall of Arts Club and for the evolving landscape of student theatre in Hanoi.
