BridgeFest Music Festival Celebrates Equality and Diversity with Colorful Music

The BridgeFest Music Festival - Community Connection recently took place on Nguyen Hue walking street, Ho Chi Minh City, bringing a lively space with the participation of beloved domestic and international artists, along with 38 social organizations.

Lễ hội âm nhạc BridgeFest tôn vinh bình đẳng và sự đa dạng với âm nhạc đa sắc màu tại TP. Hồ Chí Minh

BridgeFest music festival at Nguyen Hue walking street, Ho Chi Minh City.

The program is jointly organized by the US Diplomatic Mission, the Swiss Embassy, Oxfam in Vietnam, the Diplomatic Missions of Canada and the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Vietnam, and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam.

With the message “Acting together towards a humane economy”, BridgeFest is an event that affirms the impressive combination of music and social and community activities and is held annually, attracting many famous artists, young audiences and social organizations, honoring efforts to contribute to promoting social equality.

US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper takes a souvenir photo with guests attending. (Photo: Bao Lan)

Speaking at the Opening Ceremony, US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper emphasized: “I am delighted to join in celebrating diversity and inclusion at BridgeFest 2023.

This collaborative effort, with the support of the U.S. Mission, demonstrates our shared commitment to a future of equality. BridgeFest blends music and social purpose to inspire and empower the next generation."

BridgeFest 2023 is a colorful music night with popular young artists such as Vo Ha Tram, Da LAB, Microwave, Lynk Lee, beatboxerTuansss, and artists from the United States - Adrienne Mack-Davis and DJ 32french.

The theme of this year's BridgeFest is “Working Together Towards a Human Economy”, emphasizing the importance of human values in society and environmental sustainability.

BridgeFest hopes to inspire the public, especially young audiences and subjects in many different fields of society, to join hands in creating a future that puts people and the Earth at the center of the development process.

This core spirit of BridgeFest has resonated with audiences over the years.

The event attracted thousands of young people and music lovers to attend. (Photo: Bao Lan)

BridgeFest is more than just a music festival. This event has connected 38 social organizations, social enterprises, clubs and groups from all three regions of the country, creating a unique space to introduce the efforts of the social sector to contribute to the sustainable development of Vietnam in many different fields such as environmental protection, education, health, culture, gender equality, people with disabilities, women and children...

In 2022, after 5 years of being held in Hanoi, BridgeFest took place in Da Nang, attracting more than 10,000 spectators.

Ms. Vu Thi Quynh Hoa, Country Director, Oxfam in Vietnam shared: “BridgeFest contributes to awakening the beautiful melodies inherent in each person, which is the wish for human happiness and sustainable benefits for our planet.

I am proud that BridgeFest has been contributing to Vietnam's vision of people-centered development, promoting equality, environmental sustainability and meaningful lives for all."

Swiss Ambassador Thomas Gass shared: “As we embark on this exciting journey, let us remind ourselves that it is not governments or international organizations that will preserve the planet and unite societies for us – it is each individual’s responsibility to participate in this mission with their own strength and capacity.

Our strength lies in our diversity and solidarity. Let us work towards the Sustainable Development Goals - a shared vision for a just and humane society.”

Carrying the message of “Connecting the community”, BridgeFest has been spreading humanity to the community and society. (Photo: Bao Lan)

“We are proud to partner with BridgeFest and the social organizations present at the Festival,” said Canadian Consul General Annie Dubé.

Many social organizations have been and are working very actively in areas that Canada cares about such as gender equality, LGBT+ rights, environmental protection and climate change response.

Social organizations play a key role in promoting the building of progressive, inclusive, healthy and resilient societies'.

Since its first edition, BridgeFest has become a cultural and social event that has attracted a large audience. This event in Ho Chi Minh City continues the journey of BridgeFest, affirming the role of music and the resonance of action in contributing to building a sustainable and equal future.

The success of BridgeFest cannot be achieved without the cooperation with the Vietnamese Government and authorities at all levels in Ho Chi Minh City.

Mr. Tran Nhat Hoang, Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said: “The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism always wants to see more quality and free art programs for everyone, accompanied by humane messages, encouraging social responsibility, sharing love, so that no one is left behind”.

BridgeFest - developed from SEA Pride 2016 - a Southeast Asian music festival celebrating the spirit of freedom and equality among young people, making its mark as a music festival spreading humanistic values.

Carrying the message of “Connecting the community”, BridgeFest has been developed by the US Ambassador to Vietnam into an annual festival and is an activity within the framework of Oxfam's global campaign Even It Up - Narrowing the gap to reduce poverty and eliminate inequality.

The festival was held in many major cities of Vietnam such as Hanoi, Da Nang... with the participation of many famous domestic artists loved by young people from many different music genres such as Pop, Ballad, Indie, Rock... such as Vo Ha Tram, Da LAB, Microwave, Lynk Lee, beatboxerTuansss.

In particular, each program will have guests who are top singers from the United States.

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