27 artists win gold medals at the National Classical Drama and Folk Opera Festival 2019.

"This festival is organized every three years and is a wonderful opportunity for us to gather and look back at what we’ve done and evaluate our successes and failures. All the troupes prepared for this festival with the hope of creating something of value both ideologically and artistically," said People’s Artist Le Tien Tho, Chairman of the Vietnam Theatrical Artists Association.

The Thanh Hoa Traditional Arts Theatre opened the festival with the classical opera “Lord Trinh Tung”, which features a power struggle in the 17th century between the Mac and post-Le dynasties. The play was directed by People’s Artist Le Tien Tho.

"I think this is a good play. In addition to portraying the dynastic power struggle, it also reveals the moving personal story of Lord Trinh Tung," said a one of the audience members.

"The play took a novel approach, a very encouraging sign for Vietnam’s classical opera theatre," said another audience member.

A performance of Binh Dinh province's Bai Choi singing troupe at the National Classical Drama and Folk Opera Festival 2019.

This year’s festival attracted some directors who are new to Vietnam’s classical opera scene like People’s Artist Hoang Quynh Mai, who directed “The King’s Loyal Official”. Young artist Tran Tuan Hiep of the Vietnam National Tuong (Classical Opera) Theatre who played the main told VOV: "Although I’m new to Vietnam’s classical opera stage, I have been fortunate enough to receive instruction from many talented senior artists, including People’s Artists Anh Duong and Man Thu, both now in their 60s. They taught me some difficult performing skills and inspired me with their passion for Vietnam’s traditional theatre."

The artists were richly rewarded at the end of each show by an enthusiastic response from the audience.