A New Milestone for Vietnam’s Cultural Industry

Honoring Cultural Identity

Modern art programs are now moving beyond simple musical performances. They increasingly emphasize the re-creation of cultural beauty through melodies, traditional costumes, symbolic spaces, and meaningful activities. This provides audiences with fresh experiences while helping the younger generation better understand their roots and national identity.

Photo: Representative of the production team of "Anh Trai Vượt Ngàn Chông Gai" receiving a world record certificate. Source: Organizing Committee

A prime example of this trend is the third concert of "Anh Trai Vượt Ngàn Chông Gai", which set a Guinness World Record for “The event with the largest number of participants wearing traditional Vietnamese costumes,” attracting over 5,000 attendees. Thousands of people in áo dài, áo ngũ thân, áo tứ thân, and traditional attire representing Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups filled the streets of Ho Chi Minh City, creating a vibrant cultural tableau that sparked national pride.

Blending traditional elements with modern music has received enthusiastic support from the public, especially among young people. It raises awareness of the importance of preserving and promoting national culture.

Photo: Đinh Phương Thảo and friends take a commemorative photo with Nguyễn Xuân An (An Zuno), Communications Director of "Anh Trai Vượt Ngàn Chông Gai". Source: Personal Collection

Traveling from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City to attend the event, 23-year-old Đinh Phương Thảo shared:

"I've attended many concerts before, but none has ever left me with such profound emotions. Seeing everyone in traditional attire created a sacred atmosphere, helping me truly feel the beauty and pride of our national identity."

In addition to costumes, the event’s setting plays a crucial role in honoring cultural values. Many music programs now choose historically and culturally significant locations, such as temples, pagodas, ancient sites, or traditional-style venues. This not only enhances the ambiance but also offers audiences a deeper and more tangible connection between music and culture. Reimagining traditional beauty in musical events is a creative approach that makes national culture more accessible and appealing to modern audiences.

Opportunities and Challenges

While this cultural integration brings positive value, it also presents challenges. One major issue is balancing tradition with innovation and entertainment.

If a show leans too heavily on cultural aspects without creativity, it risks becoming dry and inaccessible to young audiences. Conversely, focusing solely on entertainment without meaningful cultural integration may cause the program to lose its core essence.

Photo: The song "Một vòng Việt Nam" performed by thousands of young people in traditional attire at the “Anh Trai Vượt Ngàn Chông Gai” concert. Source: Organizing Committee

These events go beyond heritage preservation — they demonstrate that music can be a powerful tool to connect communities. The strong turnout in traditional clothing illustrates an opportunity for people to express national pride and build bridges across generations and shared cultural interests. In doing so, a strong bond is formed between individuals and society, and between art and daily life.

To fully unlock the potential of music events in cultural preservation, thoughtful investment, thorough research, and multi-stakeholder collaboration are needed. For instance, the success of "Anh Trai Vượt Ngàn Chông Gai" – Concert 3 was partly due to consultations with leading heritage and cultural experts such as Prof. Dr. Nguyễn Văn Kim – Vice Chairman of the National Heritage Council, Dr. Lê Thị Minh Lý – Vice President of the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Association, and Dr. Phan Thanh Hải – Director of the Department of Culture & Sports of Thừa Thiên Huế. Their expertise ensured both cultural accuracy and artistic value in every detail.

A Fresh Wind for Vietnamese Entertainment

Integrating cultural elements into music programs is bringing a refreshing shift to Vietnam’s entertainment scene. In the future, with the right investment and direction, these culturally infused music shows can significantly elevate Vietnam’s cultural presence on the global stage.

This is also a practical way to affirm the timeless belief of the late General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng:

“Culture is the identity of a nation. As long as culture exists, the nation endures. If culture is lost, the nation is lost.”

Preserving and promoting cultural heritage is not just a responsibility — it is a profound source of pride for every Vietnamese citizen.

Kinhtedothi.vn