Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Head of the Department of Performing Arts Tran Huong Duong affirmed that following its organisation in the northern portal city of Hai Phong in November 2021, the 2021 National Drama Festival held in Ho Chi Minh City, was given great effort from the authorities to create the most favourable conditions for professional drama units in a city which was heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The festival will be the clearest demonstration of the artists’ passion and determination to overcome all difficulties, as well as honestly and fully reflect the state of Vietnamese drama in the current period, he added.

The event will last until January 17, introducing 26 unique plays from 20 stage units.

A scene from the play "Journey to find the portrait" (Photo: Department of Performing Arts)

The jury consists of many veteran artists, including People’s Artists Tran Minh Ngoc, Vuong Duy bien and Nguyen Thi Le Ngoc, along with Meritorious Artists Le Chuc, Nguyen Si Tien and Do Truong An, and writer Trinh Bich Ngan.

Following the opening ceremony, the play entitled “Cuoc hanh trinh tim buc chan dung” (Journey to find the portrait).