Symphonic concert celebrates China-Vietnam friendship in Da Nang

A symphonic concert titled Everlasting Friendship lit up the stage at the Trung Vuong Theater in Da Nang, Vietnam, on July 10, bringing together nearly 1,200 attendees, including international representatives, Chinese and Vietnamese officials, business leaders, students, and media professionals.

Co-hosted by the Chinese Consulate General in Da Nang, the China Cultural Center in Hanoi, Guangxi Arts University, and the Vietnam Musicians' Association, the concert showcased the power of music as a bridge for cross-border cultural exchange. Chinese and Vietnamese artists performed side by side, delivering a harmonious dialogue of melodies that reflected the deep-rooted ties between the two nations.

The concert was structured in four movements: Sharing the Same River, Songs of Time, Cultural Connections, and Everlasting Friendship. Under the baton of renowned Chinese conductor Cai Yang, the performance blended traditional Chinese musical heritage with international appeal, weaving Vietnamese folk charm into a symphonic tapestry.

The opening movement featured two evocative pieces: The Red River – The Yangtze River Flow to the Sea, composed by Vietnamese musician Do Hong Quan, and Spring of the Beilun River by Chinese composer Lyu Junhui. Together, they painted a vivid picture of shared rivers and intertwined destinies.

The second movement highlighted a dialogue between traditional instruments. Vietnamese monochord player Pei Lizhi and Chinese yueqin player Gu Huixiong performed Song of Soulmates, while erhu and horse-bone fiddle resonated in Resonating Hearts by Chinese composer Dai Wei. Vietnamese singer Pham Ngoc Quy and Chinese singer Wu Wei later delivered a bilingual duet, River of Friendship, drawing warm applause from the audience.

The third movement brought vibrant rhythms to the forefront, featuring Harmonious Rhythms by Vietnamese composer Nguyen Xuan Bac and Impression of March the Third by Chinese composer Hou Daohui, which drew inspiration from the Zhuang ethnic festival. Singers Liu Lu and Nguyen Phuc Tai jointly performed Monument of Friendship, deepening the emotional intensity of the evening.

The finale, Everlasting Friendship, composed by Zhong Juncheng, brought the concert to a solemn and uplifting close. Pham Ngoc Quy's Festival depicted the people of China and Vietnam celebrating together in joy, song, and dance. The orchestra also played the beloved classic Vietnam–China, prompting the entire audience to rise, clap along, and sing in unison — a moment of genuine emotional connection that brought the evening to its peak.

This year marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and the 76th anniversary of China-Vietnam diplomatic relations, and has been designated as the China-Vietnam tourism cooperation year. The concert, supported by the Guangxi Arts Fund as part of its 2026 cultural dissemination initiative, stands as a testament to the enduring friendship between the two neighboring countries.

The Everlasting Friendship tour is set to continue with a second performance in Ho Chi Minh City on July 14, carrying forward the melody of mutual understanding and shared prosperity.