Chinese folk songs strike a chord with Vietnamese audiences in Hanoi

A Chinese folk song choral concert was held in Hanoi on Nov 11 and 13, bringing together more than 800 representatives and guests from China and Vietnam to celebrate the cultural ties between the two countries.

Titled "Conversation and Connection: Traveling with Folk Songs", the concerts took place at the Vietnam National Opera & Ballet and the China Cultural Center in Hanoi, respectively.

The event was jointly organized by the China National Traditional Orchestra, the China Cultural Center in Hanoi, the Vietnam National Opera & Ballet, and Wu Promotion. It was held as part of the China-Vietnam Year of Tourism Cooperation 2026-2027, with the aim of deepening cultural and artistic exchanges and fostering closer ties between the two peoples.

Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam He Wei and his wife Sun Chang attended the event, alongside representatives from the cultural, artistic, tourism, education, science and technology, and media sectors of both countries.

Drawing on the China National Traditional Orchestra's signature program "Traveling with Folk Songs", the concert took audiences on a musical journey across China's diverse regions and ethnic communities.

Divided into four sections, the performance featured 12 classic Chinese folk songs, showcasing musical traditions from Hebei, Shanxi, southern Shaanxi and Guizhou, among other regions.

Through choral performances, the songs depicted the everyday lives, landscapes and cultural traditions of different communities across China, ranging from the spirited melodies of the Yan-Zhao region in northern China and the earthy folk tunes of the Loess Plateau to the lyrical songs of southern Shaanxi and the polyphonic choral traditions of Guizhou.

The performances offered Vietnamese audiences a glimpse into China's rich regional cultures and ethnic diversity, with the interplay of voices creating a musical panorama spanning the country.

At the China Cultural Center in Hanoi, artists also staged a lively flash mob performance. Responding to enthusiastic applause and cheers, they returned to the stage for an encore, bringing the atmosphere to a climax.

A themed photo exhibition and short videos featuring China's landscapes and scenery were also presented at the venue, offering guests a deeper understanding of the geographical characteristics and cultural heritage behind Chinese folk music.

Guests praised the concert for combining the diversity of China's regional cultures with the distinctive appeal of its ethnic musical traditions. They said the event not only offered Vietnamese audiences a high-quality artistic experience but also created a valuable platform for cultural and artistic exchanges between the two countries.

The concert, they added, helped deepen mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese and Vietnamese peoples while injecting fresh momentum into bilateral people-to-people exchanges and cooperation.