Hanoi (VNA) – President Ho Chi Minh was a significant figure in the struggle for national independence. The people of Vietnam also played an essential role in this history. This inspiration motivated director Cho Joon Hui from the Republic of Korea (RoK) to create a musical about the late leader and the unsung heroes of this movement.
The musical, staged in celebration of the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day (September 2, 1945 –2025), aims to promote culture, people and history through the language of theatre while fostering art exchanges and cooperation between Vietnam and the RoK.
Through Korean media, he learned that coffee and banh mi are two popular specialties closely associated with the lives of Vietnamese people. Thus, the musical was named Café Banh Mi.
The musical reflects the fervent atmosphere leading up to the 1945 August Revolution, capturing the hardships of war and the indomitable spirit of the Vietnamese people.
Set in wartime Vietnam, the production honours the patriotic contributions of citizens, particularly the petite bourgeoisie, who sacrificed wealth and even life for the revolutionary cause.
Despite facing countless difficulties and hardships, the Vietnamese people firmly believed in victory and were determined not to submit to any oppression from the enemy. Their indomitable spirit during the 1945 August Revolution nobly exemplified patriotism and solidarity. This struggle for independence and freedom affirmed the Vietnamese people's unbreakable will to achieve national liberation.
A lover of history, Cho shared that he felt a deep emotional resonance when reading the script.
He said that Vietnam and the RoK have both suffered from war and fought for independence. However, he noted that stage arts have declined in popularity in the RoK due to K-Pop and the booming entertainment industry. People are no longer drawn to theatre, especially historical works. That’s why he’s pouring his heart into Cafe Banh Mi—not just because of his admiration for President Ho Chi Minh, but also because he hopes to foster cultural exchange between Vietnam and the RoK.
Cho’s connection to Vietnamese performing arts dates back to his school years, when he was impressed by the uniqueness and rich tradition of Vietnamese theatre.
The first show he watched was a water puppet performance about everyday life and he found it humorous, and very enjoyable, he recalled.
His deeper engagement began last year when he was teaching at Dongguk University’s Department of Theatre. One of his students introduced him to artists from the Vietnam National Drama Theatre (VNDT). During a visit to Vietnam, he watched a revolutionary-themed play directed by People’s Artist Xuan Bac which gave him a deeper understanding of Vietnamese performing arts.
This connection, along with the introduction from his student, eventually led him to the script “Café Banh Mi” by writer Seo Sang Wan. Working with artistic director Park Hyun Woo and director Kieu Minh Hieu from the VNDT, Cho decided to stage the production as a musical.
According to Cho, the artists of the VNDT are all experienced in acting and have participated in many plays on revolutionary themes, however musicals are still a new field for them. But he does not view this as a challenge.
“I see determination in their eyes and professionalism in every rehearsal. I believe they’ll do well,” he said./.
