A performance dedicated to the martyrs of Road 9 battles in Quảng Trị last year. — Photo laodong.vn

HÀ NỘI — A festival to be held in the central province of Quảng Trị aims to pay tribute to fallen soldiers. 

The Road No 9 Festival of Singing, Dancing and Music will take place on July 20-26, featuring performances from troupes from Hòa Bình, Hà Giang, Hậu Giang, Tiền Giang, Quảng Trị, Kon Tum, Vĩnh Phúc and theatres in Hà Nội.

Troupes from Laos and Cambodia will also be involved.

National Road No 9 is a symbol of friendship between the three countries. Stretching along the Trường Sơn Mountain Range and the Hồ Chí Minh trail, it was an important route for moving supplies, equipment and troops from the north to the south of Việt Nam during the American War.

Many battles took place in the area as the US wanted to destroy the road. The victory of the Road No 9 campaign significantly contributed to the southern liberation and unification of the country.

Every three years, the Department of Performing Arts (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) holds the festival to strengthen solidarity between Việt Nam, Laos and Cambodia and pay tribute to fallen soldiers of the three countries.

Vice Minister Tạ Quang Đông said it’s an important event to express gratitude to those sacrificed themselves for national liberation as well as educating youngsters on history.

“There are not many art performances with the theme of revolutionary war, so I believe the Road 9 art festival will help raise patriotism,” he said.

A special art performance will take place on July 26 at the Road No 9 National Martyrs’ Cemetery to commemorate the Vietnamese War Invalids and Martyrs’ Day, which falls on July 27.

The event will feature People’s Artists Tự Long, Lan Hương, Thu Hiền and Thái Bảo; Meritorious Artists Quốc Hưng, Phương Thảo and Đỗ Kỷ; and dancers from the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet and the Việt Nam National Music, Song and Dance Theatre.

“The art performance will take place at the cemetery in a solemn atmosphere as we will light candles on the tombs of martyrs,” said Hương.

“I had a chance to perform at the cemetery once, it was very touching and emotional. I will try my best because the performance is dedicated to the fallen soldiers.” — VNS