Held on Sunday night at Hanoi’s My Dinh Stadium, the event attracted a record-breaking crowd. Spectators created a “sea of stars” as they waved national flags, immersing themselves in the patriotic atmosphere.
My Dinh Stadium, traditionally known for hosting pop concerts and K-pop shows, was transformed into a stage for revolutionary and homeland songs.
50 people sing the national anthem at the “To Quoc Trong Tim” concert.
The audience responded enthusiastically to the organizers’ call to wear red-and-yellow flag t-shirts, creating a striking visual and inspiring national pride. Four hours before the concert began, the stadium began to fill, and even 30 minutes after the event started, the line of concertgoers waiting to enter stretched for blocks.
Audience cheers for singer Dang Duong’s performance of “Dat Nuoc Tron Niem Vui” (The Country Full of Joy).
The “To Quoc Trong Tim” concert was organized by Nhan Dan Newspaper in collaboration with Hanoi’s People’s Committee to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and Vietnam’s National Day on Sept. 2.
The event is also referred to as the “National Concert,” a term popularized by Gen Z to describe significant national commemorative events.
The concert began at 8 p.m. with the entire audience standing to sing the national anthem, “Tien Quan Ca” (The Song of the Marching Troops) by composer Van Cao. The moment when tens of thousands of spectators placed their hands over their hearts and sang in unison with the choir moved many to tears.
The first segment, “Dang Hinh Dat Nuoc” (The Shape of the Nation), reflected on 80 years of Vietnamese history since the August Revolution and National Day. The opening songs included “Muoi Chin Thang Tam” (August 19th) and “Doan Ve Quoc Quan” (The National Salvation Army). The first part concluded with Dang Duong performing “Dat Nuoc Tron Niem Vui,” expressing pride in Vietnam’s reunification.
For the next three hours, the audience cheered and sang along to revolutionary songs like “Len Dang” (March Forward), “Ho Keo Phao” (Pulling the Cannons), and “Nam Anh em Tren Mot Chiec Xe Tang” (Five Brothers on One Tank).
These songs were reinterpreted by composer Huu Vuong in an energetic, patriotic style that resonated with younger audiences.
In the second segment, “Giai Dieu Tu Hao” (The Melody of Pride), artists Tung Duong, Ha Le, Oplus, and Suboi performed contemporary songs celebrating love for the homeland, including “Viet Tiep Cau Chuyen Hoa Binh” (Continue the Story of Peace), “Xinh Tuoi Viet Nam” (Beautiful Vietnam), and “Nguoi Viet” (The Vietnamese People).
Singers Tung Duong and Toc Tien performed “Mot Vong Viet Nam” (Around Vietnam) and “Khat Vong Tuoi Tre” (The Aspiration of Youth).
A highlight of the program was the march of 68 soldiers, set to the music of “Tien Buoc Duoi Quan Ky” (Marching Under the Military Flag). As the soldiers marched from the stage into the stadium, the roar of 50,000 spectators cheered them on.
The soldiers marched at the concert.
The march was staged with impressive visuals, including a lift platform for added effect.
Director Dang Le Minh Tri explained that the team aimed to portray the soldiers “marching among the people” in a solemn yet intimate atmosphere. To ensure the performance’s success, the soldiers spent several days rehearsing and familiarizing themselves with the stage.
The audience created an emotional wave, joining in the spirit of the concert. Most of the attendees were students. When MC Nguyen Khang asked, “Where are the Gen Z’s?” the entire stadium responded. And when singer Tung Duong said, “I love Vietnam,” the crowd echoed his words in unison.
The final segment, “To Quoc O Trong Tim” (The Nation in the Heart), explored the mindset of patriotism through songs like “Kiep Sau Van La Nguoi Viet Nam” (In the Next Life, I Will Still Be Vietnamese), “Toi Phi Thuong” (I Am Extraordinary), and “Khat Vong Tuoi Tre.”
The audience passionately sang along with the artists.
