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In the early days of 2026, the art project "Saigon Stories 2" created a unique creative space, attracting nearly 500 viewers through three experimental mini-shows at different venues in Ho Chi Minh City.
Unlike typical shows, "Saigon Stories 2" is produced using an "on-location creation" method. More than 50 young artists participate directly in performing their developing ideas on the mini-show stage, in front of a live audience. This is a rare approach in contemporary art projects in Vietnam, where interaction between artists and the public is usually limited to the official performance day.
Each night of Saigon Stories 2 attracts an average of 150-180 guests.
Screenwriter Pham Thien Vu, representing the Creative Board, shared: “The ‘mini show - experiment - performance’ model helps artists bridge the gap between creation and audience. Instead of being perfected in a rehearsal room, the work is developed directly from real-life feedback, thus becoming more relatable to the public.” As a result, each performance is not just a show but also a vibrant dialogue, where art and urban life meet and resonate with the city's rhythm.
Sunshine and Rain: Ups and downs in the rhythm of urban life.
The opening mini-show, titled "Sunshine - Rain," took place at the Ho Chi Minh City Dance School with 180 seats. The program explored the changing weather as a metaphor for the rhythm of Saigon life: both hectic and needing moments to slow down and appreciate. Artists transformed light, sound, and movement to recreate familiar moments: scorching sun on the sidewalks, torrential rain pouring down on the streets, and people in ordinary yet rhythmic situations.
Moments of sunshine and sudden rain are recreated through light, sound, and the performances of the artists.
What's fascinating about this mini-show is the combination of personal emotions and shared experiences. The space acts like a mirror, reflecting the real life of the city and prompting the audience to look at seemingly familiar details in a new way. This is a testament to the ability to transform urban life into the language of visual art and music, while highlighting the subtlety in how the artists observe, select, and interpret.
In addition to the main performance, the organizers also arranged exhibition areas for visitors to experience.
Day and Night: People Amidst the Urban Frenzy
The second mini-show, “Day - Night,” held at H2Q Studio - Army Theater, focused on the shifting roles and needs of people in a dynamic urban context. Daytime represented the rhythm of work, livelihood, and social responsibility; nighttime was about energy rejuvenation, entertainment, and personal connection. The program used light, music, movement, and visual installations to depict the constant dynamism of Saigon life, where each individual is both a character and a witness to the city.
This time, light, music, movement, and visual arrangements are used to depict the constant dynamism of Saigon.
Unlike traditional urban survey works, "Day - Night" not only records observations but also challenges viewers to experience the rhythm of life from a subjective and multifaceted perspective. The artists position themselves as observers, integrating and recreating the lives of city dwellers in the form of an interactive artistic experience, allowing viewers to move beyond the confines of the city and become part of its rhythm.
Spectators are no longer on the sidelines but have become part of the city's rhythm.
Modern and Traditional: The Intersection of Memory and the Present
Concluding the series of mini-shows at SIHUB, "New - Traditional" explores the intersection between historical landmarks and the rebirth of new ideas. The performance space combines an exhibition of traditional Vietnamese dó paper paintings depicting old Saigon by artist Vu Dung, a collection of Saigon photographs by photographer Pham Cao Tung, and a unique musical space featuring both traditional and modern instruments. This combination creates a multi-dimensional experience where the past and present meet, allowing the audience to appreciate historical values while embracing contemporary creativity.
The performance space combines an exhibition of traditional Vietnamese dó paper paintings and a collection of Saigon photographs, along with a variety of traditional and modern musical instruments.
This not only raises cultural awareness but also opens up new avenues of expression: transforming urban memories into vibrant creative material, combining various art forms, from visual and auditory to movement. "New-Classical" shows that art is not just for enjoyment but also helps audiences recall shared memories of old Saigon, while simultaneously creating moments for reflection on the city and its people today.
With the theme "New - Old," the performance brought back the Saigon of the past to the audience's eyes and showcased the city's transformation to the present day.
Step into the Grand Show at the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts.
Based on feedback and material gathered from the three mini-shows, the creative team, including director Thinh Tieu, music director Cao Ba Hung, screenwriter Pham Thien Vu, and art director Nguyen Duc Phuong (Phuong Gio), is finalizing the overall work. The grand show "Saigon Stories 2" promises to immerse audiences in a unique, immersive artistic space where every experience is placed within a dialogue between heritage and contemporary life.
From April 20th to 29th, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts will recreate a series of mini-shows, offering an opportunity for those who missed the March show to enjoy the exhibition, before the public experiences the official grand show from April 30th to May 3rd.
The final grand show was performed on April 30th, featuring a unique live performance art setting.
This is not only an opportunity to enjoy art but also a chance to experience new forms of expression, where artists and the public together create the contemporary cultural rhythm of Saigon. The project is a vivid testament to the endless creative potential of art and the value of bringing real life onto the stage, making art a part of urban life rather than just a reflection of it.
