Thousands gather in front of the Hanoi Opera House to wait for tickets to the “Vietnam Trong Toi” concert. Video by Ha Thu
By 8 a.m. the crowds had filled the August Revolution Square. Organizers had announced the free ticket counters would open at 9-11:30 a.m. and 1-4:30 p.m. from Aug, 20-22. This morning 1,000 tickets were issued before distribution was stopped early, with each ID holder being eligible for two.
The concert featuring singers Soobin, Hoa Minzy, Duc Phuc, and Erik will take place on Aug. 26.
The craze for tickets for national concerts has grown in recent weeks. Many free events commemorating the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day have drawn huge crowds. The “To Quoc Trong Tim” (Nation In My Heart) concert at My Dinh Stadium on Aug. 10 drew 50,000 spectators.
The line of waiting people stretched from the Opera House to Hanoi University of Pharmacy on Le Thanh Tong Street.
Most of those queueing up were young people. Many had arrived early in the morning to find parking space before queuing. Security staff repeatedly urged the crowd not to jostle.
At 9 a.m., when the organizers began handing out tickets, people at the front rushed forward. Some gave up in frustration and left.
Several sat on the ground after waiting for hours in the heat. The organizers told the crowd to disperse after some people fainted.
A group of students from the Hanoi Law University stood since 11 p.m. the previous night and also got tickets.
At 9:20 a.m. the organizers stopped issuing tickets, but many people continued to wait. Some climbed the gate of the Opera House to watch the commotion The organizers said on loudspeakers that first aid was being provided to several people who had passed out.
At 9:30 a.m. they announced ticket distribution would end for the day and resume tomorrow and the day after.
By nearly 10 a.m., many spectators stayed behind. Police and security repeatedly asked people not to park on the street and urged the crowd to leave the square.
The concert, to be organized at North Square, Vietnam Exhibition Center, Dong Anh District, by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Hanoi Opera House, will retrace 80 years of history and seek to inspire pride and patriotism through songs celebrating the nation and its people.
