The performance, titled "Mashup Land of Southern Forests and Continuing the Story of Peace", took place at Thong Nhat high school's artistic competition celebrating Vietnamese Teachers' Day on 20/11, held on 9/11. As the music began, male students lay down on the stage, rolling in unison to mimic a boat's movement, while a female student held an oar above them. This moment drew cheers and applause from the audience.
"Upon seeing the boat scene, both the judges and I were impressed by the fluid movements and the class's investment," said Ms. Vu Thi Thuy Linh, the school's youth union secretary.
Mr. Nguyen Dinh Trien, the homeroom teacher for class 11A2, shared that he had followed the class's practice process and knew the students faced many difficulties, from the choreography to scheduling. However, he was surprised and moved by their efforts when he saw the final performance.
A video of the performance, posted on class 11A2's TikTok channel, garnered over two million views, nearly 200,000 likes, and over 52,000 shares in three days.
In the comments section, many viewers praised the performance, noting they had rewound the opening sequence multiple times. The act is widely expected to win first prize in the school's competition.
"We didn't expect to receive so much attention," said Tran Nguyen Ngoc Nhi, the dance team captain. Nhi explained that the idea of students lying on top of each other to form a boat was found online and then adapted to suit the stage.
The student shared that many team members initially felt discouraged by the difficult movements and the need to lie on the floor. However, they later viewed it as an exciting challenge to overcome together. The team began practicing in September, utilizing school breaks, focusing primarily on the boat scene.
"Out of ten practice sessions, we failed this particular move in eight of them," shared Tran Duc Duy, another team member. The group also encountered an incident where a female student fell but fortunately sustained no injuries.
The dance, lasting about 6 minutes, involved nearly 20 students, with costumes and props either rented or prepared by the students themselves. Through the performance, class 11A2 aimed to convey two messages: national pride and gratitude for the teaching profession.
"We wanted to portray the image of the 'ferryman of knowledge' through our dance," Nhi said. "Thanks to the devoted guidance of teachers, the younger generation can better understand the past, appreciate peace, and recognize their responsibility to the country."
The results of the artistic competition have not yet been announced. Class 11A2's entry is one of three dance performances selected for the school's 20/11 Vietnamese Teachers' Day celebration ceremony.
By Huyen Trang and Hai Yen
