An art contest themed 'Hồ Chí Minh City - Pride of a 50-Year Epic' is being held to celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and the National Reunification (April 30, 1975 – 2025). Photo courtesy of HCM City Theatres Association.

HCM CITY A special arts and literature contest for Vietnamese artists of all ages will present awards in December.

The contest, organised by the Hồ Chí Minh City People’s Committee [municipal administration] in cooperation with some partners, has said that it will no longer receive submissions after receiving more than 650 works in different categories since the contest began on April 11.

The contest themed Thành Phố Hồ Chí Minh - 50 Năm Tự Hào Một Bản Anh Hùng Ca (HCM City - Pride of a 50-Year Epic) is open for artworks covering the different fields of literature, theatre, music, dance, photography, and fine arts by Vietnamese artists of all ages.

It celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and the National Reunification (April 30, 1975 – 2025).

The submitted works feature the historical value of the struggle for national liberation, and the construction and development of a modern and humane city.

Traditional culture and lifestyle, and natural heritage values are also highlighted.

Women and children living in remote areas are also included.

A group of cultural researchers and historians, and talented artists were invited to be the jury.

A water puppet show by young artists from the Phương Nam Theatre. The young performers will showcase their talents through the contest called 'Hồ Chí Minh City - Pride of a 50-Year Epic' organised by HCM City People’s Committee and its partners. Photo courtesy of Phương Nam Theatre

“Our young artists want to introduce their works and develop their careers through the contest,” said director Lê Diễn of private Phương Nam Theatre.

Diễn’s theatre artists of 20 are among the young performers in theatre showing their talent through the contest.

Their latest show called Trước Ngọn Sóng (Facing the Waves) is a water puppetry. production. The work portrays soldiers stationed on the Trường Sa (Spratly) Islands who have dedicated themselves to protecting the nation's sovereignty of territorial waters, demonstrating incredible bravery in the face of hardship.

The lives of people living on the islands are also featured.

After Trước Ngọn Sóng is performed, brief talks about Vietnamese water puppetry and its history are provided to help young audiences gain a greater understanding of national culture.

“Our show will entertain and help children and young people learn about the country’s history and culture,” said the play’s director Trần Được, who is also a puppet artist.

Through the show Trước Ngọn Sóng, Được and his team provide fans with new concepts and techniques in puppetry.

Trước Ngọn Sóng is staged every weekend at the Hồ Chí Minh City Museum of History, 2 Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm Street in District 1. VNS