Despite heavy rain, the concert began without dampening the enthusiasm of the attendees.

From right on the front row: Former President Nguyen Minh Triet, General Nguyen Trong Nghia, and Nhan Dan Newspaper Editor-in-Chief Le Quoc Minh during the flag-raising ceremony and national anthem performance.

The program was scheduled to start at 8 PM, but as early as 3 PM, tens of thousands of people gathered at the Van Phuc urban area, waiting for hours to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of this "national concert". The event was organized by Nhan Dan Newspaper and the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee.

Many audience members chanted the program's message: "The homeland is not far away. The homeland lies in everyone's heart."

During the concert, over 20 singers energized the stage with revolutionary songs and youth music featuring themes of patriotism and nation-building. The first chapter, "Non song mot dai" (United Rivers and Mountains), presented a series of heroic songs, including "Nam bo khang chien" (Ta Thanh Son), "Vi nhan dan quen minh" (Doan Quang Khai), "Ho keo phao" (Hoang Van), "Chien thang Dien Bien" (Do Nhuan), "Tieu doan 307" (Nguyen Huu Tri), "Bai ca Truong Son" (Tran Chung), and "Buoc chan tren dai Truong Son" (Vu Trong Hoi). In the image, Huong Tram and Dong Hung perform "Hanh quan xa" (Hoang Van).

The stage recreated a battlefield atmosphere, embodying the fighting spirit for the nation and its people, with hundreds of mass performers. Scenes of soldiers pulling artillery through difficult terrain, marching amidst battlefields, carrying food supplies, or moments celebrating victory news, vividly depicted a time of bombs and bullets. Below the stage, tens of thousands of people synchronized with applause and sang along to familiar melodies.

Vo Ha Tram performed 'Tu nguyen' (Truong Quoc Khanh). Dong Hung gave 'No lua len em' (composer Huy Du) a new rock remix.

Meritorious Artist Cao Minh performed a medley of "Tien ve Sai Gon" (Luu Huu Phuoc) and "Dat nuoc tron niem vui" (Hoang Ha). In the "Sac do tu hao" (Proud Red) chapter, the national flag was a recurring symbol, shifting emotions from historical memory to pride. Songs like "Nguoi la niem tin tat thang" (Chu Minh), "La co Dang" (Van An), and "Hat mai khuc quan hanh" (Diep Minh Tuyen) were re-arranged with modern sounds to resonate with younger audiences.

An emotional highlight was the interaction between former veteran Nguyen The Nghia, a former Phu Quoc prisoner, and the audience. He recounted his father's participation in the revolution, which inspired him to enlist. When MC Phi Linh asked about continuing the legacy of previous generations to protect and build the nation, many in the audience enthusiastically chanted "san sang" (ready).

The final chapter, "To quoc trong tim" (Homeland in my heart), featured melodies focused on aspirations for progress, a spirit of integration, and faith in the future. Director Dang Le Minh Tri staged this segment with a youthful, modern aesthetic, connecting the cultures of Vietnam's three regions.

At the end of the concert, the MC announced that the organizers would hold the third concert in 2027. The concert lasted over two hours with a continuous rhythm, maintaining emotional engagement throughout. The stage production team mastered the space, with musical performances, reenactments, and interactive segments seamlessly connecting and supporting each other. A highlight of the night was also the parade of military and police forces.

Beyond the main stage in Van Phuc urban area, thousands of people watched a livestream of the program on Nguyen Hue walking street in downtown Ho Chi Minh City.

The event, which first took place at My Dinh Stadium in Ha Noi last year, ignited a wave of "national concerts". The 'Homeland in my heart' concert showcases a growing trend among young people to embrace revolutionary music. It was recognized as a prominent art-social phenomenon of 2025, attracting hundreds of millions of views, shares, interactions, and discussions on digital platforms both domestically and internationally. In January, 'Homeland in my heart' received the Sol Vang award, the top honor in the political art program category, from the Vietnam Musicians' Association.

Departing from the usual format of political art programs, the concert adopted a modern style to convey its patriotic theme. Music, stage design, performance technology, and visual effects were combined to create an immersive emotional experience for the audience.

Tan Cao - Thanh Tung