A moving art program titled "Sacred Memories"

Attending the program from the Central Government were: Tong Thi Phong - Member of the Political Bureau, Standing Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly; Nguyen Van Tuy - Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Member of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, Head of the Delegation Affairs Committee of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly; Nguyen Thuy Anh - Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Member of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, Chairwoman of the Committee on Social Affairs of the National Assembly; Nguyen Thanh Hai - Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Member of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, Head of the Committee on Citizen Petitions of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly; Le Thi Nga - Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Member of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, Chairwoman of the Judiciary Committee of the National Assembly; Nguyen Phuong Nga - Secretary of the Party Group, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Associations; Cao Thi Xuan - Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly's Ethnic Council; Nguyen Thi Ha - Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.

Representing Nghe An province were: Nguyen Dac Vinh - Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation; Thai Thanh Quy - Alternate Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Cao Thi Hien - Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council; Nguyen Thanh Hien - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Deputy Head of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation; leaders of the Provincial Fatherland Front Committee and provincial departments and agencies; leaders of Anh Son district, along with a large number of local people.

Delegates offer incense and flowers before the program's opening. Photo: Thanh Cuong.

Permanent Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Tong Thi Phong and delegates from the Central Committee and leaders of Nghe An province attended the art program "Sacred Memories". Photo: Ho Phuong

In her opening remarks, Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Tong Thi Phong expressed her emotion at returning to the Vietnam-Laos International Cemetery, where more than 10,000 graves of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers who bravely fought and sacrificed for the noble cause of international friendship are located on the battlefields of Laos.

The Vice Chairman of the National Assembly stated that organizing the "Sacred Memories" program is a profound and humane act commemorating the founding day of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam-Laos Combat Alliance;

Permanent Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Tong Thi Phong speaks at the art program. Photo: Ho Phuong

The program, held in the cemetery in Anh Son in preparation for the New Year, is a testament to the deep friendship between Vietnam and Laos. Through this event, we express our profound gratitude for the immense sacrifices of the heroes, martyrs, families who have contributed to the nation, and the heroic Vietnamese mothers who have dedicated their loved ones to the revolutionary cause of both Vietnam and Laos.

Despite the unfavorable weather, a large crowd braved the rain and cold to enjoy the show. Photo: Ho Phuong

Comrade Tong Thi Phong suggested that Nghe An province coordinate with ministries and sectors to continue perfecting and implementing the contents of the Project on Socio-Economic Development of Western Nghe An, focusing on developing tourism and promoting the cultural identity of ethnic groups, and building the Vietnam-Laos International Cemetery into a destination to attract domestic and foreign tourists to express their gratitude and commemorate the martyrs…

The program uses the Plain of Jars in Xieng Khouang as its main setting. Photo: Ho Phuong

The art program "Sacred Memories," written and directed by writer Nguyen Quang Vinh, features performances by the Army Drama Theatre, Hue Opera and Drama Theatre, the 4th Military Region Art Troupe, and several military units, youth groups, and students from Anh Son district.

The program aims to celebrate the close and unwavering bond of the Vietnam-Laos fighting alliance, as well as the affection between the people of the two brotherly nations. It focuses on portraying the heroic image of soldiers who, without regard for blood and sacrifice, were ready to give their lives for the cause of national defense and noble international duties. At the same time, it emphasizes the beauty of human connection, camaraderie, and expresses gratitude to those who fell for independence and freedom.

The program is a hymn to the yearning for peace, the pain of loss, and the profound love and gratitude of today's generation towards their forefathers.

Many situations in the program evoked strong emotions. Photo: Ho Phuong

The program is a stream of sacred memories, leaving a powerful emotional impact on the audience's hearts. There are no character names, no role titles; everything represents the present and the past... All of this helps the audience feel the portraits, thoughts, feelings, love, and aspirations of the soldiers and the mothers, lovers, wives, children, and comrades who are searching day and night for the remains of fallen soldiers.