An exquisite music night with the theme “Southern Memories,” a multi-sensory art exhibition, and a short film about maritime sovereignty. These are the three programs in the graduation project titled “Thoi ngo” by The F5 student group, specializing in Multimedia Communication at FPT University Can Tho. The F5 group also undertakes projects that are rich in cultural and historical significance and aim to engage with the community and support those in need.
“Thoi ngo” and Its Meaningful Messages
The music night “Southern Memories” began with the performance “Southern Night,” featuring a symphony orchestra, a warm baritone voice, and a dance illustration, which left a strong impression. The subsequent acts, including singing, hip-hop dance, contemporary dance, tableau, and drama, were cleverly staged to blend traditional and modern elements, adding diverse colors to the program. A highlight of the evening was the drama depicting the Noc Nang case of 1928 in Bac Lieu. The performances were tightly connected by theme, vividly depicting the process of reclaiming wasteland and the patriotic spirit, the struggle against foreign invaders, the development of the homeland, and the defense of the nation by the people of the South.
A scene from the drama depicting the Noc Nang case of 1928. Photo: Le Thu
This is the final program in the project “Thoi ngo” (The Unripe Times) undertaken by four students: Huynh Thao Vy, Tran Khanh Van, Le Hoang Lieu, and Nguyen Trong Kha (The F5 group). Prior to this, the group organized a multi-sensory art exhibition at FPT University, welcoming high school and university students for a visit. The exhibition combined mapping light technology and Dolby Atmos surround sound to enhance the experience, allowing viewers to engage all five senses. It explored traditional cultural elements from the perspective of today’s youth. Additionally, the short film “The Shape of Happiness 2,” filmed on Hai Tac Island (Ha Tien, Kien Giang), expressed patriotic spirit through moving stories of daily life and the determination to protect maritime sovereignty. The film was shown at CGV Hung Vuong in late July, offered free of charge to students and art enthusiasts.
Huynh Thao Vy shared: “‘Thoi’ represents time, serving as a reminder to the younger generation about the formation and development of culture and history from the past to the present. ‘Ng0’ means ‘invitation’ at the beginning of a story. The phrase ‘Thoi ngo’ is an invitation to experience, honor, and develop the cultural values of the Southern region. The project not only delves deeper into culture and history but also inspires and motivates the youth to be creative in producing works related to national cultural values.”
Ms. Ly Ngoc Thien Kim, the project advisor for The F5 group, stated: “The graduation project only required the execution of one program or event, but with their meticulousness, thoroughness, and continuous learning spirit, The F5 group carried out a series of events. I highly appreciate their abilities, especially their attention to the culture and history of our nation. They have invested and researched in-depth to make each program captivating and engaging for all audiences, especially the youth.”
The F5 group consists of four Multimedia Communication students from FPT University Can Tho. Photo: NVCC
And Their Ongoing Creativity
Before the “Thoi ngo” project, The F5 group produced the short film “The Shape of Happiness 1,” which vividly recreated the setting and people of wartime. This film was also a pioneering effort in exploring historical themes at FPT University Can Tho. Additionally, The F5 group participated in the video creation competition “New Generation – Speaking Out to End Harassment” held in late 2022, organized by the Sustainable Development Management Institute (MSD) in collaboration with Plan International Vietnam (PIV). Their video “Thực” won third place and was broadcast on VTV3 on March 23, 2023. Recently, they released the talk show “Lai rai chuyen” as a podcast on social media platforms. The talk show featured director and voice actor Đat Phi, social project founder Đong Le Quynh Huong, and musician Huynh Viet Anh Khang, discussing perspectives on culture and history of the Southwestern region.
The F5 group also focuses on community-oriented projects, sharing with those in need. Notably, the “Tet la” project involved self-designed products such as Lunar New Year red envelopes and a traditional dice game, with all proceeds going to fund elderly care homes in Can Tho. This project was featured on HTV7 during the Lunar New Year of 2023. Another example is “Trong trang” – a charity music night aimed at recreating beautiful moments of the Mid-Autumn Festival, attracting over 300 participants and raising 10 million VND to organize Mid-Autumn celebrations for children at the Can Tho School for Disabled Children.
The programs and projects undertaken by The F5 group have positively impacted the younger generation, from fostering national pride and preserving cultural and historical values of the Southern region to spreading warmth through charitable activities. These are the most outstanding achievements that students have garnered from their university journey.
According to Bao Can Tho