"The Sounds of Vietnam" and the aspiration to elevate national art.

VTV.vn - This program is produced by the Traditional Music Department of the Vietnam National Academy of Music.

The "Sounds of Vietnam" program is scheduled to take place at 8 PM on May 29, 2026, at the Grand Concert Hall of the Vietnam National Academy of Music.

Dr. Quoc Hung, People's Artist and Director of the Vietnam National Academy of Music, stated: “The ‘Sounds of Vietnam’ concert program is not only a large-scale concert celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Vietnam National Academy of Music and the 17th anniversary of the Vietnam National Traditional Orchestra, but also reflects the vision, aspirations, and spirit of inheritance of those working in traditional music today. It also conveys a message about the desire to preserve, develop, and bring Vietnamese traditional music into contemporary life in a stronger, deeper, and more accessible way.”

According to the organizers, the "Sounds of Vietnam" program brings together a powerful lineup of performing artists from the Vietnam National Orchestra, with the participation of numerous People's Artists, Meritorious Artists, and leading artists and lecturers in the field of Vietnamese traditional music. In addition, the program also features performances by beloved artists such as Assoc. Prof. Dr. Meritorious Artist Tan Nhan, artist Anh Tho, and artist Trong Tan.

From the opening drumbeat of "Lac Hong Drum," resounding with national spirit, the program will lead the audience into an artistic space rich in cultural identity with diverse musical colors from the North, Central, and South of Vietnam, combining classical works with brand-new compositions for the traditional orchestra.

From pieces like "Ông Gióng" by composer Xuân Khoát - the first major work written for a traditional Vietnamese orchestra - to works such as "Homeland Melodies" (composed by Hồng Thái), "Vietnamese Fantasy" (composed by Hồ Hoài Anh), "Harmonious Country" (composed by Phạm Ngọc Khôi), and "One Unified Nation" (composed by Dương Đức Thụy) - a work recently completed in early 2026, the exhibition will showcase the development of Vietnamese folk music from its traditional foundations to its contemporary spirit.

Interspersed throughout the program were technically and academically rich solo, duet, and group performances, such as "Sunrise Concerto" for the moon lute performed by People's Artist Co Huy Hung, or "Au O Vi Dau" sung on the deep and soulful zither by Meritorious Artists Le Chi and Le Giang.

The artists are rehearsing for the concert.

The program also celebrates the beauty of Vietnamese folk music through songs such as "Far from Shore," "The Piêu Scarf," and " Ho Chi Minh, the Most Beautiful Name," with the participation of Meritorious Artist Tan Nhan, singer Anh Tho, and Trong Tan.

According to People's Artist Pham Ngoc Khoi - Orchestra Conductor, the special feature of the program lies in the connection between tradition and the contemporary, the connection of traditional music from all regions of the country, and the presence of works by both veteran composers and young authors, showing that folk music is not a static stream but is always in motion, evolving and expanding its expressive possibilities.

The works in the program were all created in the spirit of inheriting the national cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO, such as Quan Ho folk singing, Vi Giam folk singing, Hue music, etc., and then developing them into new works that reflect the spirit of the times.

In 2009, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Tran Chien Thang signed a decision to establish the Vietnam National Traditional Orchestra, with core members being outstanding artists, lecturers, and students from the Traditional Musical Instruments Department (now the Traditional Music Department - Vietnam National Academy of Music). On May 28, 2009, the orchestra, consisting of 80 artists, performed its inaugural program at the Hanoi Opera House. The establishment of the Vietnam National Traditional Orchestra is a milestone marking the development of the country's traditional music in a new era.

Source: https://vtv.vn/am-thanh-dat-viet-and-khat-vong-nang-tam-nghe-thuat-dan-toc-10026052613231773.htm