HCMCITY— An outdoor music gala will open on July 1 in HCM City on the 41st anniversary of the day that Sài Gòn- Gia Định was renamed after President Hồ Chí Minh on July 2, 1976.

The event, called Thành Phố Tôi Yêu (I Love HCM City), will feature dozens of young and veteran singers and bands, including Đức Tuấn, Hà Anh Tuấn, Hà Okio and Ái Phương, and Vietnamese-Australian singer and composer Thanh Bùi.

Revolutionary songs in praise of country, soldiers and President Hồ Chí Minh, composed by both veteran and young musicians like Phan Huỳnh Điểu and Phạm Tuyên, will be included.

Pop bands and dancers will perform new songs in pop, dance and electronic music on themes related to youth, love and life.

Featured songs include Hồ Chí Minh Đẹp Nhất Tên Người (The Most Beautiful Name-Hồ Chí Minh), Lời Ru Đất Nước (Lullabies of the Country) and Tình Ca Thành Phố (City Love Song).

“Through my performance, I wanted to show my love for HCM City, my native city. I also wanted to show my respect for Uncle Hồ, a national hero who devoted his life to the country and people,” said dancer Thu Thảo, who will appear with 30 dancers from traditional art troupes on Saturday.  

The event is part of many cultural activities launched by the city’s People’s Committee in co-operation with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism on the occasion.

Performances will be held on two nights, July 1 and 2, on Nguyễn Huệ Pedestrian Street in District 1.

Both performances will take place at 8pm, and are expected to attract more than 5,000 people. — VNS