Is music therapy on the rise?

Music or soundscape therapy is a market with great potential. Can Vietnam ride this wave?

International singing artist Santa Ratna Shakya

Sound healing is a form of "slow sound," contrasting with the fast pace and whirlwind of the music industry.

International singing artist Santa Ratna Shakya

In recent years, wellness music, or sound healing, which uses sound or music as the primary means of regulating the mind and body in a positive and relaxing way, has been increasingly popular.

According to Coherent Market Insights, the global sound therapy market is estimated to be worth $2.48 billion this year and is projected to reach $4.1 billion by 2031.

Trends in music therapy

It's not just a therapeutic trend, but also creates a new segment in the music industry. Major streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music have witnessed the explosion of numerous "healing" playlists.

Apple Music previously partnered with Universal Music Group to introduce Sound Therapy, a collection of wellness sounds designed to help listeners focus better, relax more deeply, and sleep better.

Meanwhile, sound baths and gong baths have moved from small spiritual spaces to larger community events, even integrating into major concerts or music festivals, such as the Glastonbury music festival in England.

Globally, this trend is currently developing in the US, Western European countries, the Himalayan region, as well as some Asian countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, and India.

Vietnam has recently also had several events in this direction, most recently the Sound Healing Concert 2025: Journey Into Silence in September, which featured Ani Choying Drolma, an icon of meditation music from Nepal, international singing master Santa Ratna Shakya, and saxophone artist Tran Manh Tuan...

On November 29th, 6 Senses - The Wonders of the Senses will take place in Ho Chi Minh City, featuring many Vietnamese and Nepalese artists such as Santa Ratna Shakya, Alberto Parmigiani, Salil Subedi, Meritorious Artist Dinh Linh, Cao Ho Nga, Phuong Linh, Khanh Tuong, Thao Linh...

At the Solstice music festival in England, in addition to music, there are many wellness experiences offered, including meditation, breathing exercises, and swimming and sauna sessions at the forest lake - Photo: Samuel George

Speaking to Tuổi Trẻ about his upcoming performance, "master of Himalayan singing bowls" Santa Ratna Shakya said he came to Vietnam to share the tradition of caring for body and mind through the sound of Himalayan singing bowls. He wants to connect with those who are learning and practicing, and together explore a deeper path to inner peace through sound.

The artist added that sound therapy is thriving all over the world. When he first introduced singing bowls outside of Nepal decades ago, only a small group of spiritual seekers were interested.

Now, doctors, psychologists, yoga instructors, musicians, and even scientists are exploring the power of sound in promoting health and well-being.

The Sound Healing Concert 2025: Journey Into Silence in September featured Ani Choying Drolma.

According to Santa Ratna Shakya, in the modern world, most of the sounds around us—in music, media, or daily life—are noisy, hurried, and stimulate immediate reactions. They awaken the mind but fail to touch the heart. People listen to sounds like they eat fast food—quickly but lacking depth.

"Sound healing is like a form of 'slow sound,' contrasting with the fast pace and whirlwind of the music industry," he shared.

Vietnam can create a branch with its own identity.

So, can Vietnam create a trend or a segment? Cao Bá Hưng, the music director of 6 Senses, told Tuổi Trẻ newspaper, "Vietnam can absolutely create a 'branch' of sound healing with its own unique identity."

Because we have very special elements: rich traditional melodies, indigenous musical instruments imbued with energy from nature (such as stone xylophones, moon lutes, bamboo flutes, and gourd lutes...), and the musical philosophy of "five elements" and "harmony with nature" that has been present in our musical culture for thousands of years.

He added that the audience for sound healing concerts is different from that of regular music shows. They don't come just to "see" or "listen," but to "feel" and "breathe" with the sound. Some audience members go to concerts to lift their spirits, to dance, to recharge their enthusiasm, while others seek out these kinds of shows to look inward.

"If we can combine modern sound science with the spirit of East Asia, Vietnam can not only follow global trends but also forge its own path – where healing is not just about the sound that resonates, but about how Vietnamese people connect their souls with nature and with each other through music and their identity," he said.

Musician Cao Bá Hưng serves as the music director for 6 Senses - Photo: FBNV

Agreeing, artist Santa Ratna Shakya said he has observed that in recent years many Vietnamese people have become interested in this field.

According to him, Vietnam has a profound spiritual culture, from the tradition of gongs, temple bells, and ceremonial music to the sounds of temples and shrines. Vietnamese people have a natural sensitivity to harmony, nature, and beauty. He perceives this in Vietnamese music, poetry, and their close connection to nature and the earth.

This artist suggests that Vietnam could combine those values ​​with Himalayan singing bowl art to create a unique style, blending the sounds of gongs, bamboo instruments, chanting and meditation with the resonance of singing bowls.

"Sound is becoming the global language of peace and happiness. It is born from ancient wisdom and modern needs. And Vietnam, with its heart, history, and creativity, can contribute a very unique nuance to that flow," he remarked.

"Healing" is not just a concept for those who have been hurt, but a journey of self-discovery. I want to explore the connection between sound and music. I believe music is not just for enjoyment, but for connection: between science and creativity, between young people and their predecessors, between the "West" and the "East".

Composer Cao Bá Hưng

CENTURY BEANS

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/am-nhac-tri-lieu-len-ngoi-20251111103144003.htm