Musicians from the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra will provide 30 free downtown street performances during the next two months.

The concerts will take place between 3-5pm on Saturdays and from 10-12am and 3-5pm on Sundays in front of the Music Publishing House, 61 Ly Thai To Street, starting from this weekend.

A collection of chamber pieces, including The Emperor Waltz (Johann Strauss), Divertimento No 136, No 137 and Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (Mozart) as well as Serenade for Strings (Tchaikovsky), will be performed by 20 string-instrumentalists under the leadership of violinist Xuan Huy.

"We will have our work cut out for us competing against the street noise," Huy said. "It will be a completely different interactive atmosphere in comparison to our normal chamber stage. Though we will have to ‘fight' against distraction, it will be an interesting experience."

Programme advisor, musician Tran Manh Hung said: "The audience is expected to consist of tourists, passers-by, taxi drivers and street hawkers. All we need is three seconds of their attention."

Do Ngoc Minh, a project sponsor, noted that the largest worry centred on weather.

"That's why we chose late autumn. It's the best time for out-door activities in Hanoi," he affirmed.

According to its organisers, the project is set to be rolled out to other cities across the country./.