ASEAN unity: one vision, one identity, one community

The festival, themed “Connecting the world heritages”, draws the participation of 10 art troupes from 10 ASEAN countries and a troupe from the Republic of Korea. Performances will take place at Lam Son Theater and on the Sam Son public stage. The festival is part of the 2015 National Tourism Year, promoting Vietnam’s cultural values to foreign tourists and hopes to increase in-bound tourism. Pham Dinh Thang, Deputy Director of the Performing Art Department, of the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, says: “The festival is an opportunity for us to exchange and discover the cultures and traditional music of other ASEAN countries. We can absorb the musical essence of other countries to enrich our own music. All ASEAN countries will showcase the best of their culture.”

ASEAN artists will also talk about their work and artistic developments in each country. The audience can enjoy solo performances, concerts, folk singing, and drama. Mr. Thang again: “The common language among countries is music. The language of each nation can be expressed through music, the common language of the festival. Music connects countries and everyone can understand each other through music.”

The Vietnam National Music, Song, and Dance Theatre hosts the opening ceremony at Lam Son theater on August 1. Director Nguyen Quang Vinh said: “The Vietnam National Music, Song, and Dance Theater will revitalize folk music and musical instruments in theaters. The opening show has 9 items including solo, dual, and a concert of traditional musical instruments such as the monochord and the 30-string zither.”

Vietnamese troupes will treat the audience to Vietnam’s musical genres, which have been acknowledged by UNESCO as world intangible cultural heritages including Hue’s royal court music, the Quan ho folk singing of Bac Ninh, Don ca tai tu in the southern region, and Vi dam folk songs.