From affection to gratitude
Gratitude for Birth" is an annual art program held on the occasion of Vu Lan, aiming to spread filial piety, family affection and the nation's tradition of "When drinking water, remember the source".
This year, "Gratitude for Birth 2026" tells the story of the word "Hieu" with close materials.
The program atmosphere is led from familiar feelings in each family to gratitude for those who sacrificed for the Fatherland.
The story of the word "Hieu" is placed in many eras, many contexts, many fates, from war to peace. To see, the simple word "Hieu" is sometimes a desire, an unfinished dream of a whole generation.
In 120 minutes, three chapters "Rains of Love", "Pain Among Peace" and "Vu Lan Wish" create a continuous emotional flow.
The performances "My Mother", "Dear Mother", "Father's Lies", "Crying for Mother" evoke the image of parents through very familiar things: mother's diligence, father's silent sacrifices and love often entrusted with actions more than words.
Tung Duong, Ca Nuong Kieu Anh, Ngoc Ky, Minh Duc, Quach Mai Thy... bring different colors, but all towards the story of family love. Melodies about mothers and fathers are therefore not only performances but also evoke personal memories in each audience member.
From family affection, the program switched to "Pain in peace" with stories about soldiers and relatives of martyrs.
Red Flowers", "Where Are You", "Pain in Peace", "Letter to Mother" take viewers back to the war years and the losses that are still present in many families.
Interspersed with the performance are meticulously staged scenes, reports shared by comrades, relatives of martyrs and images of Vietnamese Heroic Mothers.
That true story adds depth to the program, so that sacrifice and loss appear closely, truthfully, touching the emotions of the audience.
The appearance of musician Truong Quy Hai, a veteran of Division 356 who fought on the Vi Xuyen front, creates a unique mark for Chapter 2.
The stories told from the memories of those involved make the gap between the stage and historical memories seem to be narrowed.
With "Letter to Mother", the soldier's feelings for his family are expressed through the composition of a person who has been through the war.
Notably, "Gratitude for Birth 2026" is also one of the activities towards the 30th anniversary of the Golden Heart Charity Social Fund - Lao Dong Newspaper. In the emotional flow of affection and gratitude, this milestone creates a natural connection between love in the family and the spirit of sharing with the community.
Words from the heart
One of the memorable highlights of the program is "Lời gửi từ trái tim" - where children send words of love, thanks and apologies to their parents.
Not fussy, many messages are just very short sentences. But it is that simplicity that creates a silence in the auditorium.
In the past, I always thought Mom was strong. When I grew up, I understood that behind that strength was so much hardship and sacrifice," a viewer wrote to Mom.
Some people wrote to their deceased father: "Dad, I wish you were still with me, so that you could see the good things that I am trying every day.
Those messages made the story about the word "Hieu" on stage become touching in everyday life.
These may be things a child has thought about many times but has not told his parents; a phone call that has not been answered, a time to return in time, or an apology that has been left for too long.
After the "Lời gửi từ trái tim" part, the play "Ước nguyện của bà" performed by artists of the Vietnam Youth Theater continues to be a highlight of the "Uoc nguyen Vu Lan" chapter. The play is like a moment of silence for the audience to look back at familiar relationships and things that are sometimes forgotten in life.
Bringing spoken drama into a music program about Vu Lan creates an additional approach to family stories. After songs rich in nostalgia, the drama stage brings emotions back to specific relationships, simple desires between loved ones.
Her wish" therefore became an emotional knot before the program reached the end, making many viewers touched and emotional.
After the series of songs "Gánh mẹ", "Cho con là người Việt Nam", the program closed with the theme song "Ơn nghĩa sinh thành". The final message was expressed simply but sincerely: spend time with your family, express gratitude and love, fulfill filial piety to parents while you can.
Gratitude for Birth 2026" closes an artistic journey of family affection, sacrifice and gratitude.
Through music, drama and true stories, the program creates an emotional art space, where the word "Hieu" is placed in modernity, expanded in a heart of gratitude to family, community and generations who sacrificed to build the country.
