On the evening of April 18, 2026, at the Gianh Ferry Historical Site, one of the Special National Historical Relics of the Truong Son Trail (Ho Chi Minh Trail), the political-artistic program Epic on the River will be broadcast live on VTV1 from 20:10 to 21:40. The program pays tribute to generations of officers, soldiers, youth volunteers, militia, and civilians who fought courageously and made sacrifices in the Gianh Ferry - Gianh Port area over nine years, supporting the frontlines and resisting the destructive war in the North waged by by the U.S. (1964-1973).
More than just a commemorative art program, Epic on the River is designed as an interactive memorial, retelling history through imagery, music, testimonies, and emotion. Taking audiences back to a “coordinate of fire”, once battered by bombs and bullets, the program bears witness to loss, sacrifice, courage, and the aspiration for national reunification.
A Program of Living Memory and Artistic Expression
Structured into three chapters, the program follows a narrative flow of history, memory, and gratitude, forming a cohesive and emotionally rich journey: Chapter 1: “Coordinate of Fire” highlights the strategic historical significance of the Gianh Ferry - Gianh Port area during the resistance wars, especially during the U.S. air and naval attacks on the North. Chapter 2: “Bombs Above, Feet on the Ferry” serves as the emotional and ideological core, honoring the individuals who created heroic legends. Chapter 3, “Memories of the River”, concludes the program with a space for remembrance, tribute, and renewal.
A distinctive feature lies in its spatial design. Rather than being confined to a single stage, the program expands into a multi-dimensional performance space integrated with the real-life landscape of the Gianh River, ferry terminals, monuments, memorial sites, and historical landmarks. The river itself becomes a central “character” in the narrative.
Music: The Emotional Current of the Program
Music plays a pivotal role in Epic on the River, not only shaping the atmosphere but also serving as a narrative medium that evokes emotion and deepens the program’s thematic core. The musical flow is deliberately structured, ranging from nostalgic and reflective melodies to solemn, heroic, and uplifting compositions, mirroring each layer of content and emotional progression.
Audiences will enjoy revisiting evocative works such as Hope, Words of the Departed, Oh My Homeland Quang Binh, Joyfully Opening the Road, Distant Lands, Return to the River of Childhood, Sacred Vietnam, and The Road We Take. These performances are delivered by renowned artists, including People’s Artist Thu Hien, Meritorious Artist Lan Anh, Tung Duong, Huong Tram, Dong Hung, Nguyen Hoang Bao Ngoc, and Hoang Viet Danh.
Looking back from today’s Gianh River to its wartime past, the program revives a heroic chapter of national history, while affirming an enduring truth: the sacrifices made for the nation will never be forgotten. It is frrom this memory that today’s generations gain the spiritual strength to continue building the country.
Epic on the River will be broadcast live at 20:10 on April 18, 2026, on VTV1. Stay tuned!
