CELEBRATING SAIGON - More than 600 artists in theatre, music, dance, puppet and circus from State-owned and private art troupes will perform in Saigon - Dòng Sông Kể Chuyện (Saigon - The River’s Story), a variety show featuring Cửu Long culture and lifestyle which is scheduled to open in HCM City on August 6. Photo courtesy of the producer.

HCM CITY— A variety show featuring the Southern culture and lifestyle will be staged by more than 600 performers, as part of the first-ever HCM City River Festival on August 4. 

The event, Saigon - Dòng Sông Kể Chuyện (Saigon - The River’s Story), features a series of performances in theatre, music, dance, puppet and circus. 

It includes five chapters telling the stories of southern people, their history, culture and lifestyle in different periods. HCM City and its developments are also included. 

Tài tử music, a part of the region’s traditional music that began 100 years ago, will be highlighted.

The music was recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2013. It is associated with southern farmers who sing while working in the fields or relaxing at the end of a hard day. It is often performed at traditional festivals, weddings and death anniversary events in the region. 

Skilled performers will use their art to depict the images of beautiful rivers, green fields and forests, villages and animals.

The daily lives of Saigonese, who work hard to develop their prosperity and wealth, will be highlighted. 

“We have worked hard for several weeks to offer quality performances with beautiful clothes and accessories suited to the show’s theme,” said the event’s general director Lê Hải Yến. “We wanted to dazzle local people and visitors with a show full of music, images, sounds and lights.”

According to Yến, Saigon - Dòng Sông Kể Chuyện will include music and dance performances staged on boats running along the Saigon River. “With this show’s new concept, we hope audiences will learn more about the history and culture in the South, particularly our city, which was named after the late President Hồ Chí Minh,” she said.

The three-day Hồ Chí Minh Festival will begin on August 4 and aims to promote local tourism. It is organised by the city’s Department of Tourism in cooperation with its partners. 

The festival will feature various special cultural, entertainment and art activities along the Saigon River. 

Travel agencies and lodging providers will have opportunities to introduce and market their products and services to domestic and foreign tourists, including tours from HCM City to southwestern and southeastern localities. 

The art show Saigon - Dòng Sông Kể Chuyện will begin at 8pm on August 6 at the Bạch Đằng Wharf Park and Saigon Cruise Port in District 1. — VNS