(Photo: The Organizing Board)

"Café Banh Mi” portrays Vietnam during the period before the August Revolution of 1945, highlighting lesser-known stories of patriotic citizens, particularly from the petite bourgeoisie, who sacrificed their wealth and their lives in pursuit of Vietnam’s independence. Artists Thanh Giang and The Nguyen of the Vietnam National Drama Theatre will play the female and male leads.

“I’m very fortunate to have been chosen by the production team to play the female lead, Xuan. My character is a patriotic bourgeois woman who supports the revolution,” said Giang.

“I play Bao, a patriotic Vietnamese with a deep sense of national pride, who seeks to escape colonial oppression. The musical is meaningful and fitting for the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day. This is a great honor and source of pride for me as an actor,” said Nguyen.

The 70-minute musical was written by South Korean playwright Seo Sang Wan, who said the similarities between the struggles for national independence in Vietnam and South Korea inspired him to write it. The work is his tribute to the patriotism and courage of the Vietnamese people.

“When it comes to the struggle for national independence, the country that impressed me the most was Vietnam. I thought that creating a work on this theme would be very meaningful. This year both Vietnam and South Korea celebrate the 80th anniversary of their independence, which makes this production especially meaningful,” said Seo Sang Wan.

Vietnam’s revolution and President Ho Chi Minh are portrayed for the first time in a creative musical theatre collaboration between Vietnamese and South Korean artists. The production’s 20 songs create a powerful emotional experience.

Artistic Director Park Hyun Woo hopes international audiences will take away a renewed understanding of a united, humane, and peace-loving Vietnam and a deeper respect for President Ho Chi Minh.

“In Vietnam, President Ho Chi Minh is affectionately called ‘Uncle Ho’. While many works have praised President Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, our production focuses on ordinary people who embraced his philosophy,” said Park. “The musical shows working people influenced by Ho Chi Minh’s ideals, their dreams of independence, and their fight to attain it. The most important message of the production is that it was these humble people who sustained the Party and the revolutionary soldiers in the struggle for national independence.”

“When I began writing, I wanted to convey a message to the younger generationwho were born in a time of peace that this peace was won through the sacrifices of their predecessors. The story of ‘Café Banh Mi’ aims to inspire young people to appreciate their lives, to love Vietnam and its people, and to take pride in the nation’s history,” Trinh said.

The collaboration between the Vietnam National Drama Theatre and the South Korean team in staging “Café Banh Mi” honors the culture, people, and history of both nations. Meritorious Artist Kieu Minh Hieu, Director of the Vietnam National Drama Theatre, said the musical is a cultural bridge linking Vietnam and South Korea.

“In recent years, the performing arts have increasingly served as bridges of diplomacy. While the Vietnam National Drama Theatre excels in spoken drama, the Korean creative team brings extensive experience in modern forms, particularly musical theatre. Together, they have created a stage work that celebrates the working class, honoring their patriotism and their enduring desire for freedom and independence,” said Hieu.

After its premiere in Vietnam, “Café Banh Mi” will be performed in France, South Korea, Japan, and other countries.