Building a 1,500 billion theater in Thu Thiem: Completing a "debt" of many years?

The land planned to build a 1,500 billion VND theater in Thu Thiem. Photo: Zing.vn

Long-standing debt

Meritorious Artist Tran Vuong Thach - Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Symphony and Chamber Theater (HBSO) said that the construction of the theater is necessary for the development of cultural career in Ho Chi Minh City. "Right from the establishment of HBSO in 1993, the leaders at that time determined to build a Symphony and Chamber Theater worthy of a dynamic and developing city like Ho Chi Minh City.

However, for many reasons, the theater has not been able to be built yet. This is regrettable because the lack of a theater of the right caliber is an obstacle to the development of high-end music in this city," said Meritorious Artist Vuong Thach.

Also according to Meritorious Artist Vuong Thach, in 2007 the city planned to build a theater at 23 Le Duan - District 1. At that time, HBSO had prepared forces to take over the theater to be built such as investing in human resources, investing in musical instrument systems by purchasing a 2 million USD orchestra according to European standards. But in the end, the project had to stop, so that orchestra is still not being used at full capacity, many musical instruments still have not had the opportunity to appear before the public.

In 2012, the theater project moved to a new location at 23/9 Park. This project was initially drafted by German experts with the design of 2 performance halls, with a capacity of 1,200 spectators and designed with suitable functions for symphonic, ballet and chamber music performances.

In addition, the theater also has an outdoor stage, a system of practice rooms, recording studios, resting areas, exhibition areas, etc. The city also invited professional designers from Germany to implement the project, but in the end, due to opinions that 23/9 Park is the green lung of Ho Chi Minh City, the project was stopped. Meritorious Artist Vuong Thach said: "The construction of a theater in Thu Thiem is just the next step of the theater construction project that has been suspended for so long. HBSO artists are looking forward to having a theater of the right level."

Responding to the press, violinist Tang Thanh Nam also supported the construction of the theater. “A theater may not serve all the needs of the people, but it is a cultural milestone of a city. A city must meet the diverse cultural enjoyment needs of everyone.”

According to Meritorious Artist Ta Minh Tam - Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music, the implementation of the theater construction project is a debt that the city's leaders have promised for many years. "The theater is a welfare project both materially and spiritually for the people, so there is no waste. Enjoying chamber music is also a need of the people, so it cannot be said that it is built to waste. The important thing is how to build it appropriately."

The theater will operate effectively.

Several years ago, the city started building a Cai Luong Theater at the old Hung Dao Theater. However, after its inauguration, the Hung Dao Theater could not be put into use because the design was not suitable for Cai Luong performances. Meritorious Artist Vuong Thach said that this was a lesson for managers at all levels when implementing the project.

Autumn Melodies - a program at HBSO.

Meritorious Artist Vuong Thach added that since its establishment, HBSO has determined its operational goal to enhance the musical enjoyment needs of Ho Chi Minh City residents. In addition to performances, HBSO also regularly organizes programs to bring top-notch music to schools.

HBSO artists and actors must also participate in programs introducing symphonic chamber music at universities, and organize classes to learn about symphonic chamber music for the community. Artist Vuong Thach said that most of HBSO's concerts are currently sold out, proving that the need to enjoy top-notch music has been formed in Ho Chi Minh City. Therefore, if the theater in Thu Thiem is done well, it will certainly operate effectively.

Meritorious Artist Ta Minh Tam said: “The responsibility of the city leaders is to prove to the people that all construction, management and operation work must be truly transparent and on schedule. Only then can people agree, sympathize and share.”

Responding to the press, Ms. Nguyen Thi Quyet Tam - Chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Council said that Ho Chi Minh City is a big city, requiring cultural institutions of sufficient stature to attract and exchange cultures from the whole world, not just the city. The city's intellectual level is increasingly improving, so the demand for cultural enjoyment also needs to be invested in a worthy manner and this symphony orchestra in Thu Thiem meets that demand."