Vietnam’s films and music bring history alive for young generations

THE HANOI TIMES — When the familiar rhythm of the revolutionary song Ho Keo Phao (Heave Away The Cannon) echoed from the television screen, six-year-old Nguyen Hương Giang’s son sat upright, eyes wide with excitement.

As the actors in soldiers’ uniforms recreated the Dien Bien Phu Campaign, he tugged on his mother’s sleeve and asked, “Mom, are the soldiers pulling the cannons to fight for our country? When I grow up, I want to be a soldier too.”

For the boy, it was a simple and innocent remark. But for his mother, Nguyen Huong Giang, a resident in Viet Hung Ward, Hanoi, it was proof that the program To Quoc Trong Tim (The Fatherland in Our Hearts) had done more than entertain.

“It ignited curiosity, pride and even a dream of service in a child barely old enough for school,” said Huong.

Later that evening, he asked Huong to find documents online about Dien Bien Phu and memorized details of the historic victory.

This small anecdote reflects a larger trend, with millions of young Vietnamese viewers tuning into recent televised art performances marking the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day on September 2.

Programs such as The Fatherland in Our Hearts (organized by Nhan Dan newspaper and the Hanoi People’s Committee), Hanoi - From the Historic Autumn of 1945 (organized by the Hanoi, and Proud to Be Vietnamese (organized by the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commissions with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Hanoi People’s Committee and Vietnam Television) reached audiences across the country.

Viewers, especially the younger generation, shared the same sense of pride and affection for their homeland. For many, revolutionary songs performed with modern stagecraft bridged past and present in ways textbooks alone could not.

Le Quoc Minh, Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper, Deputy Head of the Central Publicity and Mass Mobilization Commission and President of the Vietnam Journalists Association, emphasized that The Fatherland in Our Hearts was a retelling of heroic history, a tribute to the sacrifices of generations before us, and a message of national pride, solidarity and aspiration in the new era.

He said the show’s staging met international concert standards, with a stage designed in the shape of the letter V for “Vietnam – Victory.

From the Red Flag with a Gold Star fluttering proudly above the stage to the solemn march of soldiers and timeless reenactments of historic moments, the production was carefully designed to awaken pride and connect millions of Vietnamese hearts at home and abroad.

“We believe music is the language of the soul, a bridge between generations and one of the most effective ways to tell the story of our country,” said Minh.

For university student Do Hieu Phuong, attending what she called a “national concert” was unforgettable.

“The songs about love for our homeland carried a powerful emotional resonance. The music felt fresh, the artists sang with all their hearts, and even the stage design and program structure conveyed profound meaning. Every lyric reminded us of the hardships and sacrifices our ancestors endured for independence and freedom,” she said.

Beyond music, film has become another powerful medium for inspiring younger audiences. Revolutionary-themed movies have drawn crowds of young viewers to cinemas in recent years, from Dao, Pho and Piano (Peach Blossom, Pho and Piano) to Dia Dao (Tunnel – The Sun in the Darkness).

Most recently, the film Nam Xuan Memories, directed by Meritorious Artist Ho Ngọo Xum, was released to mark major national anniversaries in 2025. Commissioned by the Department of Cinema under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the film takes inspiration from the traditional don ca tai tu (Southern amateur music) melody “Nam Xuan,” a cultural treasure of southern Vietnam. It tells the story of a liberation soldier during the Tet Offensive of 1968, while also exploring deep relationships between father and son, husband and wife, and comrades-in-arms.

Another highly anticipated release is Red Rain, a special production by the People’s Army Cinema. Based on real events, the film dramatizes the 81-day defense of Quang Tri Citadel in 1972. It is both a tribute to those who gave their youth for the nation and an epic retelling of courage and sacrifice.

With authenticity and emotional power, the film highlights the ideals of young men and women who embraced the motto “Ready to sacrifice for the Fatherland.”

The impact of these films lies not only in their well-crafted scripts but also in the heartfelt performances of young actors. Though they never lived through war, they brought revolutionary characters to life with conviction.

At the premiere of Red Rain, musician and actor Nguyen Hung strummed a guitar and sang the song Con gi dep hon (What Could Be More Beautiful). Its lyrics, especially the chorus about a son sacrificing his youth for freedom, moved many in the audience to tears.

Major General Nguyen Xuan Thuy, Deputy Director of the Army’s General Department of Politics, praised the artists, directors and producers for their dedication.

He said such films not only mark milestones in Vietnam’s revolutionary cinema but also strongly awaken national pride, patriotism, and the spirit of dedication among today’s generation.

“It is need to further invest in politically significant films as part of safeguarding the ideological foundations of the Party in the modern era,” said Thuy.

Whether through stirring music on a concert stage or the emotional depth of cinema, Vietnam is using art to make history come alive for its youth. Programs and films are not simply about retelling past victories. They nurture ideals, dreams, and a sense of responsibility in new generations.

The story of a six-year-old boy dreaming of becoming a soldier after watching a performance is emblematic. It is proof that when history is told with heart and creativity, it resonates far beyond the classroom.

For young Vietnamese, these experiences are not just entertainment but sparks that kindle pride, inspire dreams, and encourage a lifelong commitment to building a stronger nation.