Special art performance commemorates 79th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day

To commemorate the 79th Anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27, 1947 – 2026), the Son La provincial People's Committee organised a special art performance entitled “Hell on Earth” at the Memorial to the Martyrs of Son La Prison on the evening of July 27.

The "Hell on Earth" special art performance.

Delegates attend the programme.

Attending the event were Hoang Van Nghiem, member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee, and head of the provincial delegation of National Assembly deputies; Vu Thanh Mai, deputy head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation; Lo Minh Hung, Standing Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People's Council; Nguyen Dinh Viet, Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People's Committee; and Cha A Cua, Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and President of the provincial Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee.

Relatives of Son La Prison political prisoners and a large number of officials, soldiers, youth union members, students, and local residents were also present.

Nguyen Dinh Viet, Chairman of the Son La provincial People's Committee, delivers remarks at the programme.

Speaking at the event, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Viet emphasised that the art performance provides an opportunity for today's generation to honour and express gratitude to the nation's outstanding sons and daughters who sacrificed their lives for Vietnam's independence and freedom and for the happiness of its people. 

He also noted that the province aims to develop the programme into an annual cultural event with a distinctive identity, promoting Son La's rich historical and cultural heritage to domestic and international audiences while contributing to the growth of the cultural industries, tourism, and sustainable socio-economic development.

The programme features a series of compelling dramatic reenactments.
A dramatic reenactment depicts the imprisonment and brutal treatment of political prisoners by the French colonial regime.

The 60-minute performance was staged as a semi-realistic historical epic comprising 11 acts that combined singing, dance, music, dramatic reenactments, modern sound and lighting effects, and the authentic setting of the historical site.

It vividly recreated the harsh conditions inside Son La Prison, highlighting the indomitable spirit of communist revolutionaries and patriotic prisoners in the face of brutal torture by French colonialists. The programme also portrayed how this "hell on earth" was transformed into a "revolutionary school" where ideals, conviction, and revolutionary determination were forged.

A reenactment of the To Hieu Peach Tree, the revolutionary symbol of Son La Prison.

Through its powerful storytelling, the performance guided audiences through the nation's heroic history, paid tribute to the immense sacrifices of previous generations, and spread the enduring Vietnamese tradition of “when drinking water, remember its source”. It also inspired patriotism, an aspiration for dedication, and a strong sense of responsibility among younger generations for the cause of national development and defence.

Vibrant performances of music, song, and dance showcase the rich cultural traditions of Son La's ethnic groups.
A large number of local officials, veterans, and residents attend the programme.

Held in the sacred setting of the Son La Prison national special relic site, the performance left a profound and lasting impression on distinguished guests and the public alike./.

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