A scene from the play 'Huyen Tich Ho Guom,' with actors performing in the foreground and an AI-generated backdrop behind them. Photo: Thien Dieu / Tuoi Tre
'Huyen Tich Ho Guom' (The Legend of Hoan Kiem Lake) is one of the productions in a cultural industry event called 'Moment' organized by the Hanoi Drama Theater.
The event runs from October 8 to 10 at the Cong Nhan Theater at 42 Trang Tien Street in Hoan Kiem Ward, Hanoi.
The event is held to commemorate the 72nd anniversary of Hanoi's Liberation Day (October 10, 1954 - 2026) and in anticipation of the 2026 Hanoi Theater Festival.
It also marks the reopening of the Hanoi Drama Theater after renovations and upgrades to its facilities.
Hoan Kiem Lake, also known as Sword Lake, is closely associated with the legend of King Le Loi returning a sacred sword to the Turtle God after leading the Lam Son uprising against Ming rule.
Children learn about history and culture by answering questions at the 'Moment' cultural industry event. Photo: Thien Dieu / Tuoi Tre
When theater goes beyond the stage
The program is designed as a space where history, culture, theater, and AI technology intersect.
Rather than simply staging plays as part of its regular activities, the Hanoi Drama Theater has created a broader cultural and entertainment experience.
It includes a history and culture exhibition featuring famous Vietnamese legends, including Saint Giong, a mythical warrior hero; the love story of Chu Dong Tu and Tien Dung; and the legend of King Le Loi returning his sword after defeating his enemies.
The program also features interactive activities, including history and culture quizzes for children, photo opportunities with historical figures, and LED displays where visitors can leave messages, photos, and personal imprints.
“The theater hopes that each participant can create a piece of their own memory at the event,” People’s Artist Trung Hieu said.
The Hanoi Drama Theater has also set up a special screening room showing an AI-generated film introducing the theater’s history and classic stage productions that have helped shape its legacy.
A scene from 'Huyen Tich Ho Guom' in which AI-generated visuals take over the entire stage. Video: Thien Dieu / Tuoi Tre
Putting AI on stage to draw in younger audiences
AI also steals the stage at the Hanoi Drama Theater through the play 'Huyen Tich Ho Guom.'
The production brings to life King Le Loi, scholar Nguyen Trai and the Lam Son uprising, while exploring the legend of the king returning a magical sword to the Turtle God, giving Hoan Kiem Lake its name.
Combining traditional stage performance with AI technology, the production uses AI-generated images of epic battle scenes on a screen behind the stage.
In some scenes, the images serve as backdrops for the actors performing in front of them, while in others, they take over the entire stage, such as the scene in which Le Lai disguises himself as Le Loi to save his leader and sacrifices himself.
Many audience members and members of the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism’s arts council responded positively to the use of the technology.
Speaking after the performance, People’s Artist Quoc Chiem, representing the arts council, said he was impressed by the combination, noting that the AI-generated images created a realistic and vivid battlefield atmosphere that traditional theater would struggle to achieve with its limitations.
People’s Artist Trung Hieu said combining traditional performance with AI technology is one of the Hanoi Drama Theater’s experiments in applying technology to creative work and in introducing and bringing the value of theater arts to younger audiences.
'Huyen Tich Ho Guom' will continue to be staged for audiences on Friday evening, with further performances planned.
Le Loi gives thanks for receiving the sacred 'Thuan Thien' sword, whose name means following heaven’s will. Photo: Thien Dieu / Tuoi Tre
As part of 'Moment,' the Hanoi Drama Theater will also stage 'Me and Us,' a play by Vietnamese playwright Luu Quang Vu and directed by People's Artist Trung Hieu, on Saturday evening.
Set at Thang Loi Enterprise in the 1980s, the play portrays a period when Vietnam was facing growing pressure for change.
The limitations of the old system prompted calls for changes in management, production, and ways of thinking, leading to the Doi Moi reform process launched in 1986.
At Thang Loi Enterprise, the conflict between conservative thinking and calls for reform grows increasingly intense.
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