Art and education share a special kinship: both exist to uplift and awaken the hidden potential within each human being. Art is born to stir emotions, while education nurtures knowledge and character – together, they cultivate the soul and expand every individual’s capacity. If art sows moments of sublime emotion, then education nurtures the steady steps toward the future. And when these two streams meet, they create moments that are both beautiful and profound. For Victoria School, the musical The Enchanted Crossbow became just such a milestone – where the stage lights illuminated not only a performance, but also the dream of a holistic education.
A School Musical on an International Stage
Inspired by the legend of An Dương Vương’s Magic Crossbow, The Enchanted Crossbow was reborn in a new artistic language, infused with the spirit of Broadway-style musical theatre. On stage, students transformed into legendary characters, raising their voices powerfully in English, guiding the audience through a journey that was at once familiar and refreshingly new. Familiar because it drew from the deep well of national culture; new because it was told with the breath of modernity, integration, and global resonance.
The premiere at the Opera House in Ho Chi Minh City became an unforgettable evening. As the velvet curtain slowly parted and the stage lights bathed the hall, each note gently led the audience into the realm of art. The performance unfolded with moments of surprise and delight: the appearance of the Golden Turtle God with an unexpected English rap, the tender lullaby Mẹ Yêu Con rendered bilingually in English and Vietnamese, and the explosive energy of Bống Bống Bang Bang reimagined in English with vibrant choreography. Seventy-five minutes passed in a cascade of emotions, building to a finale met with thunderous applause, wide-eyed wonder, and quiet tears.
Meritorious Artist Chí Trung, the project’s artistic advisor, reflected: “I was truly amazed that a school musical could reach such a level of precision and professionalism. From singing and acting to the coordination of music, lighting, and choreography – everything was delivered with remarkable seriousness. With the support of the Youth Theatre, it was ultimately the students’ own initiative and effort that brought this project beyond expectations. This is a school theatre model worth emulating, and if expanded, I believe it could inspire many other schools.”
The journey did not stop there. The Enchanted Crossbow exceeded all expectations when it stepped onto the stage of the Danang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF III 2025) – an unprecedented achievement for a school musical. Amidst renowned names in cinema and performing arts from across the region, Vietnamese students shone in their own way: innocent yet confident, carrying their cultural roots while moving seamlessly to an international rhythm. Over a thousand audience members, including many international guests, honored the performance with unceasing applause.
Behind the Spotlight: Education through Art
Behind the dazzling moments on stage lay a steady path of discipline and perseverance: late-night rehearsals, countless rounds of choreography to perfect formations, hours of practicing English diction and vocal control, and relentless refinement of timing and emotional expression. Teachers, parents, technicians, and the students themselves worked side by side, repeating, adjusting, and trying again until the performance reached its polish. It was this collective, silent effort that shaped the success of The Enchanted Crossbow.
The musical is not merely an artistic production; it embodies an educational approach rich in meaning. Students are nurtured to be creative, to listen and respect differences, to step confidently into the world while holding fast to their national identity. Through music, language, and theatre, they gained lessons far beyond textbooks: teamwork, time management, cultural appreciation, and above all, the joy of embracing heritage in a fresh, global form. This is also the essence of UNESCO’s “Happy School” model – not only a safe and supportive environment, but a place where every student learns to strive, to overcome challenges, and to find happiness in the very process of growth.
If the magic crossbow of old was a national treasure that safeguarded the land, then today, the true treasures of the nation are education and its young generation – the arrows carrying Vietnamese identity to radiant horizons.