Ho Chi Minh City Hat Boi Theater Participates in Thang Long-Hanoi Festival

The Ho Chi Minh City Hat Boi Theater will participate in the second Thang Long-Hanoi Festival in 2026 with artistic exchanges featuring two performances. The theater will present a segment titled "Tran Binh Trong's Martyrdom," depicting the life of the renowned general Tran Binh Trong, who resisted during the Mongol invasion of 1285. The play highlights his indomitable spirit, refusing to be swayed by power or riches and readily sacrificing himself for the nation. His integrity and glorious sacrifice fueled the army and people's hatred for the invaders, contributing to Vietnam's historic victory against the Yuan-Mongol forces. As part of its program to introduce traditional cultural heritage, the theater will also perform "Dai Boi Ritual." This is a ritualistic theatrical form characteristic of Southern Vietnamese Hat Boi art, modeled after the ceremonies at the Nam Giao altar during the Nguyen Dynasty. This ritual drama carries profound cosmological significance, symbolizing the harmony between heaven, earth, and humanity, and praying for favorable weather, peace, and abundant harvests. It comprises five main rituals and one supplementary ritual, employing a rich system of symbols reflecting the operation of the universe and the community's aspirations for peace and prosperity. The second Thang Long-Hanoi Festival, themed "Heritage Flow," will take place from September 11-20 in various iconic cultural and heritage sites in Hanoi, including Thang Long Imperial Citadel, the Temple of Literature, the Hanoi Museum, and Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square. Through a series of events encompassing performances, exhibitions, heritage demonstrations, craft village experiences, fashion, music, and international exchanges, the festival aims to connect heritage with a multidisciplinary creative ecosystem, targeting young audiences and international visitors, and promoting the cultural industry of the capital.