‘The Homeland in Our Hearts’: A concert awakening national pride

THE HANOI TIMES — The large-scale concert “The Homeland in Our Hearts” will be held on August 10 to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19, 1945) and the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (September 2, 1945).

The event will take place at My Dinh National Stadium with free admission, and is expected to welcome 50,000 spectators on-site and millions more via national television and digital platforms.

Carrying the message: “The homeland is not far away – it lives in every heart,” this concert promises to revive Vietnam’s heroic journey through the language of modern music.

Speaking at the event announcement on August 1, Editor-in-Chief of the Nhan Dan Newspaper Le Quoc Minh said: “The Homeland in Our Hearts is a grand symphony of patriotism, where millions of Vietnamese hearts beat as one under the red flag with a yellow star.”

He also shared that within just nine minutes of the free ticket portal opening on July 30, over 3 million visits were recorded, proving the concert’s immense appeal and the deep patriotism of the Vietnamese people.

Chief Director Dang Le Minh Tri proudly unveiled the stage concept, describing the show as a “visual manifesto of national pride” that meets international concert standards.

At its heart stands a monumental V-shaped structure, symbolizing both Vietnam and Victory, rising 26 meters high at the center of My Dinh Stadium. The concert will also be divided into four themed zones, including Independence, Freedom, Happiness, and the Red Flag with a Yellow Star, forming a powerful living tribute to Vietnamese identity and pride.

Beyond the striking stage design, music will play a central role in creating deeply emotional experiences for the audience. Composer Nguyen Huu Vuong will reimagine iconic Vietnamese songs with contemporary arrangements, bridging generations and resonating with both older and younger listeners throughout the concert.

One of the most powerful moments in the concert will be when tens of thousands of audience members rise together, facing the national flag soaring in the center of the stadium, and sing the national anthem in unison.

“At the concert, the audience will sing together and light up the stadium with flashlights, each person being not just a viewer, but a heartbeat of the nation,” Tri revealed.

Another emotional highlight will be the appearance of 68 soldiers from the First Army Officer School, who previously represented Vietnam at the Victory Day Parade in Moscow’s Red Square. Their performance pays tribute to the heroic legacy of the Vietnamese People’s Army.

The concert also brings together renowned performers like Tung Duong, young emerging artists, and celebrated athletes including Quang Hai, Anh Vien, and Le Van Cong. Their presence unites sports, culture, and the arts in what is being hailed as an unprecedented “national concert” at My Dinh.

At the end of the concert, there will be an 8-minute fireworks display at the F1 racetrack area, featuring 300 high-altitude and 60 low-altitude fireworks, promising to end the night in a blaze of color, emotion, and national pride.

Each ticket will be specially designed with a handwritten excerpt from Tien Quan Ca, Vietnam’s national anthem, composed by the late Van Cao, offering attendees a personal and patriotic keepsake. This meaningful detail invites attendees to sing both verses together at the stadium.

The organizers also encourage the public to wear red-and-yellow flag shirts and proudly join in the anthem.

To support those who cannot attend in person, a live broadcast of the concert will be available on Hanoi Radio and Television and relayed through local radio and television stations.

The event will also be livestreamed on the Nhan Dan Newspaper fanpage, the Hanoi International Light Festival page, and other social media platforms.