The gala will open with “Tro ve” (Return) based on a scenario written by Dien, who died of cancer this June. Dien was a top director who made Charming Vietnam a popular show at home and abroad.

The event will be directed by Dinh Anh Dung, Dien’s best friend and another renowned name in the industry. Charming Vietnam was not held last year because of the economic crisis.

The second part, “Bonjour Vietnam,” will take inspiration from the song of the same name by Belgian-Vietnamese singer Pham Quynh Anh. It became a sensation in Vietnam when it was released two years ago but renowned musician Le Quang will tinker with it, keeping it simple and making full use of the singer’s sweet voice.

“After Anh sings the French and English versions of ‘Bonjour Vietnam,’ a Vietnamese version will be sung by a 65-strong chorus.”

Dung said there would be two different stage designs – the “Return” will feature distinctly Vietnamese images like a communal house, village gate, bamboo bridge, and conical hat while “Bonjour Vietnam” will be futuristic with modern and bold settings and sound and light effects.

Mixed with the songs, dances are the fashionable catwalk of nearly 32 famous models and beauty title-holders in Son collections, Sifa Fashion and Quynh Paris’s costumes.

One of challenges for the organizers, especially Quang, is having more than 40 leading singers together on stage. He said he had to persuade the stars to swallow their egos.

“It is not really mission impossible, but I have to convince them to work in pairs and threesomes, sing their old hits and practice new songs. I know some of them may not be happy, but I think we artists should consider the show as a rendezvous, not a competition.”

The hits of the past performed by modern singers would transport the audience into the past and evoke fresh emotions in them, he said.

“This 15th anniversary show will feature the largest collection of composers and I will use each according to their forte. From my experience in past shows, it is the music that has the first and major impact, then the visuals. I just close my eyes and imagine the music, the lyrics, and the singer’s expressions and the best ideas come into my mind.”

Going places

Nguyen Cong Khe, the show’s chief organizer and chairman of Thanh Nien Media Corporation, said, “Renowned Vietnamese-American comedian Hoai Linh will [perform at] this year’s gala. More than 100 Vietnamese and foreign artists will help enhance the variety show.”

Charming Vietnam has also been held abroad successfully. It has been held twice in Australia besides Singapore and the UK.

Khe said this year’s show will reaffirm Charming Vietnam as a top variety show in the country and among Vietnamese communities living abroad.

“This is also an important preparation for future performances abroad in places like Hong Kong or the US. We also hope to organize it twice a year, once at home and once abroad.”

Charming Vietnam, which helps Thanh Nien raise money for its Vietnam Talent Fund and Nguyen Thai Binh Scholarship for poor and talented students, will be held on December 31, January 1, 2, and 3 at Hoa Binh Theater in Ho Chi Minh City.

Reported by Kim