Hanoi (VNA) – An open-air symphony concert titled "Crescendo – Symphony of Connection" transformed the Octagonal Pavilion at the King Ly Thai To Monument Garden by Hoan Kiem lake into a vibrant cultural stage on the evening of July 4, drawing crowds of delegates, residents and visitors.
Held in the heart of Hanoi's pedestrian zone, the concert blended classical music with the lively atmosphere of the capital, bringing orchestral performances beyond the traditional concert hall and closer to the public. The event also highlighted Hanoi's image as a City for Peace, a UNESCO Creative City, and an emerging destination for international cultural events.
The concert was one of the highlights of the Crescendo International Music Festival – Hanoi 2026, organised under the direction of the Hanoi People's Committee, by the municipal Department of Culture and Sports, in coordination with the Thang Long Song and Dance Theatre and Toa Sang Art Performance JSC.
Organisers said music serves as a universal language that transcends geographical, cultural and linguistic boundaries, conveying messages of peace, friendship and mutual understanding. Staging the concert in the open space beside Hoan Kiem lake reflected the festival's goal of making classical music more accessible while creating a new cultural gathering place for both residents and tourists.
The programme brought together an impressive lineup of Vietnamese and international artists, including legendary Japanese pianist Rintaro Akamatsu, conductor Daniel Park from the Republic of Korea, and Gen Z Vietnamese conductor Dustin Tieu. They were joined by renowned music scholars, the Crescendo Festival Orchestra, and performers from Austria, China and Brunei, creating a rich and diverse musical experience.
Audiences enjoyed a programme featuring classical masterpieces alongside Vietnamese and international songs, enhanced by modern sound, lighting and visual effects. Highlights included Summer from Antonio Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, the patriotic song Mot Vong Viet Nam (One Circle of Vietnam), Hello Vietnam performed by Austrian singer Shamiyeh Christina and Vietnamese artist Nguyen Huu Quan, and a four-hand piano rendition of Trong Com by composers and pianists Nguyen Huy Phuong and Nguyen Trinh Huong. Guitarist Le Thu also presented an innovative interpretation of the traditional folk melody Qua Cau Gio Bay.
The concert also showcased promising young talents, including Dang Thuy Anh, Nguyen Linh Ngan, Nguyen Minh Viet, and performers from Brunei. Each performance received enthusiastic applause, underscoring the close connection between artists and audiences in the open-air setting.
The evening concluded with We Are the World, symbolising solidarity, compassion and hope for a better future while reinforcing the festival's message of connecting people, nations and cultures through music.
During the event, Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People's Committee Vu Thu Ha and Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ta Quang Dong presented flowers and commemorative gifts to representatives of the international artists in recognition of their contributions.
Running from June 30 to July 5, the Crescendo International Music Festival – Hanoi 2026 featured music competitions, concerts, workshops, academic seminars and cultural exchanges. The festival attracted more than 1,300 Vietnamese contestants, over 70 international participants from nine countries and territories, and more than 50 international professors, musicians and music experts serving as performers, lecturers, judges and advisers.
According to Pham Tuan Long, Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, the festival is expected to become an annual international music event that promotes cultural exchange, strengthens international cooperation, supports the development of Hanoi's cultural industries and enhances the city's reputation as a UNESCO Creative City.
Such programmes is expected can reach wider audiences while reinforcing Hanoi's position as a regional and international hub for cultural and artistic events./.
