The highlight of the celebrations will be a music gala to honour the life, career and service of President Ho Chi Minh at Ba Dinh Square on Saturday (August 29, 2009).

Entitled “Ho Chi Minh – Mot Doi Vi Nuoc Vi Dan” (Ho Chi Minh – A Life Devoted to the Country and People), the performance is being co-organised by the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Management Board, “Cong An Nhan Dan” newspaper and HCM City Television.

Vietnamese pop singers will perform songs such as “Ca Ngoi Ho Chu Tich” (To Sing the Praises of President Ho), Tieng Hat Tu Thanh Pho Mang Ten Bac (Singing from the City that Bears the Name of Uncle Ho).

It is expected that thousands of local people and visitors will attend the event, which will start at 8pm in front of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

The performance will be broadcast on VTV4 and HCM City’s HTV9 channels.

A drum performance with more than 100 musicians will open an art show entitled “Trong Hoi Thang Long” (Thang Long Festive Drums) at the National Convention Centre on Sunday (August 30, 2009) night.

In harmony with other cultural events taking place in the city, the art show will celebrate the history of the capital and the country.

Another cultural highlight will be a concert organised by the Vietnam National Orchestra and Ballet Theatre at Hanoi Opera House on Tuesday (September 1, 2009).

Entitled “Hon Thieng Song Nui” (Holy Land Spirit), the concert will glorify the country’s past. Some 150 dancers and musicians will perform symphonies and ballets composed and choreographed by famous Vietnamese musicians and artists. The concert will be conducted by Nguyen Thien Dao and Dang Huu Phuc.

An exhibition about President Ho and General Vo Nguyen Giap will be held in the precinct of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum next Wednesday (September 2, 2009).