The troupe’s staging, scripted by Văn Trọng Hùng, adapted by Đoàn Thanh Tâm and directed by People’s Artist Nguyễn Hoài Huệ, earned both the festival’s silver medal for production and multiple top individual honours.
Artist Thái Phiên, in the role of Hồ Quý Ly, and Meritorious Artist Thanh Bình, portraying Princess Huy Ninh, each received gold medals. Silver medals went to artists Thanh Vân (Hồ Nguyên Trừng), Thái Anh (General Trần Khát Chân) and Meritorious Artist Thu Thẳm (Queen Thánh Ngâu).
Gia Lai’s second participating unit, the Bình Định Bài Chòi opera troupe, competed with Dòng sông kể chuyện (The river tells a story), directed by People’s Artist Nguyễn Hoài Huệ.
Based on a true story of a revolutionary family in An Nhơn, the production earned Meritorious Artist Băng Châu a gold medal for the role of Mrs. Hồng. Meritorious Artists Phương Phú (Bình) and Thùy Dung (Kiều Mai) were awarded silver medals.
Additional honours were presented by the Vietnam Association of Stage Artists. Artist Kim Tiển won best choreographer for Dòng sông kể chuyện, while artist Đỗ Xuân received best actor for his role as Mr. Giới in the same production.
Organised by the Department of Performing Arts under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in partnership with the Vietnam Association of Stage Artists and the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, the festival ran from November 17-26 at Kim Mã Theater.
It gathered more than 1,000 artists and musicians from 10 troupes representing Bắc Ninh, Nghệ An, Thanh Hóa, Huế, Đà Nẵng, Gia Lai, Khánh Hòa, Ho Chi Minh City and the Vietnam National Traditional Arts Theatre, with 14 entries across folk opera, bài chòi and hát bội.
At the closing ceremony, organizers presented two gold medals and three silver medals for productions, along with 18 gold and 34 silver medals for individual performers, and special awards recognizing creative excellence.