Ho Do is a musical "specialty" of Ho Chi Minh City.

The three nights of the Ho Chi Minh City International Music Festival - Ho Do 2023 featured over 100 domestic and international artists (from Asia, Europe, America to Africa). The Ho Do - 2023 Organizing Committee noted that the event attracted over 200,000 attendees.

The numbers speak for themselves.

Initially, the Ho Do - 2023 Organizing Committee only expected to attract around 150,000 people from Ho Chi Minh City. The figure of over 200,000 people recorded by the end of December 24th was a pleasant surprise for everyone involved in the event.

Musician Huy Tuan, the program's general director, said: "We prepared very carefully for 'Ho Do - 2023' and hoped that this music festival would gradually become a cultural brand with a foothold in the region. It's wonderful that 'Ho Do - 2023' was more successful than expected, receiving enthusiastic support from both city audiences and foreign tourists. Domestic audiences not only enjoyed all genres of music performed throughout the three days of the festival, but were also extremely open to unfamiliar musical genres and young artists."

"Ho Do - 2023" was organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Organizing Committee for Major Holidays, in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh City Light Music Center and Beyond Communication Company. Ho Do is considered one of the major cultural events that made a significant impact in Ho Chi Minh City in 2023. The event aims to promote investment in the development of the cultural industry and stimulate tourism in Ho Chi Minh City. "Ho Do - 2023" is also part of the "Project on Organizing Typical Cultural and Sports Festivals and Events in Ho Chi Minh City, giai đoạn from 2020-2030".

Rich in the "flavor" of youth

Beyond its typical music festival format, Ho Do also serves as a platform for young talents to showcase their abilities. Those involved believe that "Ho Do - 2023" is a musical "feast" infused with youthful energy, harmoniously blending contemporary folk music with international cultural elements. Most contestants are in their twenties, many born in 2000 or later. On their journey to achieving their dreams, these young people share many aspirations and have the opportunity to connect with each other, together writing a story of musical creation that is impactful, profound, and brings Vietnamese music to the world.

The first prize, worth 100 million VND (including cash and gifts) from the Ho Chi Minh City Cultural Support Fund, along with a certificate and a commemorative trophy, went to "Jaigon Orchestra"; the second and third prizes, worth 30 million and 20 million VND respectively, went to "Nhan Dang" and "NOFF". These bands showcased their creative and fresh compositions, bringing audiences explosive moments with modern and contemporary music genres such as Indie rock, Alternative rock, pop rock, and pop punk.

According to experts, the strength of these young music groups is that although their songs are composed with melodies heavily inspired by international trends, they all use 100% Vietnamese lyrics, and the content of the songs is about everyday stories and moments, making it easier to reach young audiences.

Young talents had the opportunity to showcase themselves at Ho Do 2023. (Photo provided by the Organizing Committee)

Year-end meeting point

People's Artist Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City, said: "With the attention and support of the city's leaders, this year's Ho Do festival has many new contents such as: strengthening activities to create a playground and discover young musical talents; organizing a seminar on the GenZ generation with the theme "living life to the fullest and accompanying the development of the city"; a seminar on the content "the Ho Chi Minh City music industry's contribution to the national brand"...

According to the organizers, stemming from a distinctive folk song of the Southern region, the Ho Do event, after three years of organization, has fulfilled its mission of becoming a cultural and artistic event of international standards, bearing the unique brand of Ho Chi Minh City. The program is gradually making its mark on the regional music festival map, promising to become an annual cultural and artistic destination for domestic and international tourists every year-end.

Composer Huy Tuan passionately stated: "Ho Do is still striving to improve in a more comprehensive and professional manner, aiming to become a familiar venue for top-tier international cultural exchanges every year."

Source: https://nld.com.vn/ho-do-dac-san-am-nhac-cua-tp-hcm-196231227213621139.htm