The event aimed to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, the 80th anniversary of the Traditional Day of the Viet Nam People's Public Security, the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and China, and the Year of Viet Nam–China People-to-People Exchange.
The art programme opened with the dance performance “Carp Jumping Over the Dragon Gate - Step by Step Up”. The image of a carp transforming into a dragon is popular in both Vietnamese and Chinese culture as a wish for good luck, carrying a message about the strong friendship between the two peoples of Viet Nam and China. Artist Tao Yan Peng led the audience to the image symbolising the aspiration to rise, a meaningful start.
Throughout the night, the programme took the audience on a cultural journey from ancient to contemporary times through ensemble performances given by artists Zhao Xiong, A Di Li and Lei Ying. The sounds of the bamboo flute, ghijak, tanbur, and Jiahu bone flute – the oldest Chinese instruments – stirred deep emotions of diversity and harmony of Eastern civilisations.
One of the interesting exchange performances was the melody of the song "Gone With the Wind When Crossing the Bridge" (Qua cau gio bay) showing the spread of Vietnamese folk music in China.
A highlight of the programme was a series of emotional cultural exhanges: Vietnamese artist Do To Hoa performed “On the field of hope” in Chinese, while in return, Chinese artist Pho Nhue sang the song “Remembering Ha Noi in Autumn” in Vietnamese.
The programme “Colours of China” was not only an opportunity to honour traditional arts and cultural values of the two countries, but was also a vivid testament to the traditional friendship between Viet Nam and China through cultural diplomacy activities.
