Vietnamese Theaters See Boost in Attendance During Women’s Day Celebrations
Hanoi theaters, particularly the Vietnam National Drama Theatre, experience a significant increase in performances and attendance during the months of March and October, coinciding with International Women’s Day (March 8th) and Vietnamese Women’s Day (October 20th). This trend indicates a strong cultural preference for theatrical performances as a celebratory activity for women.
Increased Performances During Celebratory Months
According to Kieu Minh Hieu, director of the Vietnam National Drama Theatre, the theatre operates at near full capacity throughout March and October. In recent years, the theatre has staged approximately 150 performances annually, with around 60 performances occurring during these two months. Some years have seen as many as 31 performances in March and 24 in October Vietnam.vn.
Theatrical Choices as Gifts and Group Outings
Director Hieu notes that many couples choose to attend a play as a gift for the women in their lives during International Women’s Day. Organizations and companies frequently purchase group tickets for their employees as a way to celebrate these occasions Vietnam.vn.
Popular Productions and Upcoming Shows
On March 6th, the Vietnam National Drama Theatre hosted a performance of “Storms of Truong Son,” featuring People’s Artist Xuan Bac in the role of Le Ai Vietnam.vn. Xuan Bac, who graduated from Hanoi University of Theatre and Cinema in 1998, has too been a brand ambassador for Rejoice shampoo and a prominent figure in Vietnamese television comedy Wikipedia.
Looking ahead to 2026, the National Theater of Vietnam plans to stage Nguyen Huy Tuong’s “Bunuto,” a significant work in Vietnamese theater. The production will be directed by Meritorious Artist Trinh My Nguyen, who also directed the play “Chee Peo” Vietnam.vn.
Other Theaters and Future Plans
Whereas the National Theater of Vietnam experiences a surge in attendance during these periods, other theaters in Hanoi follow similar patterns. The Youth Theater, for example, aligns its performances with Children’s Day on June 1st and hosts a special season in August honoring playwright Lu Quang Vu Vietnam.vn.
The Vietnam National Theater also aims to stage 100 plays this year, a slight decrease from previous years due to planned renovations of the theater building Vietnam.vn.