The provincial traditional arts theater opened the festival with the bài chòi opera “The river tells a story”, portraying a revolutionary family in An Nhơn during the American war. The production highlighted compassion, patriotism and the resilience of people in the ancient land of Binh Dinh (present-day Gia Lai).
Meritorious Artists Thùy Dung and Phương Phú, who played Kiều Mai and Bình, both earned Silver Medals for their performances. Thùy Dung said she sought to capture the spirit of “simple yet heroic women of An Nhơn during wartime”.
Choreographer Kim Tiển won the best choreographer from the Vietnam Stage Artists Association for blending contemporary folk dance with traditional movements to evoke depth and emotional richness in the production.
The Đào Tấn Tuồng Troupe also earned a silver medal with “Looking back at a dynasty,” a tuồng play exploring the decline of the Trần dynasty and the rise of the Hồ dynasty under Hồ Quý Ly. Artist Thái Phiên received a gold medal for portraying Hồ Quý Ly as both a reformer and a lonely figure amid sweeping political change.
This year’s festival underscored the enduring vitality of hát bội and bài chòi despite competition from modern entertainment forms. It also reflected the maturation of a new generation committed to preserving traditional arts.
Meritorious Artist Huỳnh Thị Kim Châu, Deputy Director of the Provincial Traditional Arts Theater, said the most valuable aspect of the festival was its professional spirit. She noted that, even as floods struck their homeland and affected many families, artists set aside personal worries to complete their performances.
As the festival ends, the Theater plans to continue training young actors, expanding its repertoire and strengthening promotional efforts to bring Bình Định’s traditional arts to wider audiences. Artists remain committed to keeping the heritage alive and integrating its cultural values into contemporary life.
