Embedding music in urban life

From vibrant music venues

“It is wonderful that Hai Phong is hosting so many classical music performances at Hoa Phuong Theater. The venue is elegant, and the program is impressive. I never imagined I would get to enjoy a concert in such a large theater in my hometown,” said Le Huong, a Vietnamese expatriate living in Germany, while attending the concert “Soundscapes” held late last August.

Through works by Tchaikovsky, Gershwin, Chopin, Liszt, Kalliwoda, and Michael Webster, audiences experienced a wide range of musical expressions, from classical depth to a free-spirited, modern sensibility. The concert also marked the beginning of cooperation between the Vietnam Classical Music Association and the Hai Phong People's Committee, aimed at making Hai Phong a “City of Music.”

Since opening, Hoa Phuong Theater has gradually become a venue for a variety of performances, including concerts, popular music shows, and other performing arts. Meanwhile, street performances along the central pedestrian boulevard, plans to expand performance spaces to the pedestrian street at 53 Lach Tray, and programs under the Hai Phong Television Theater Project have also enriched the city's artistic life. Music is gradually moving beyond concert halls and reaching wider audiences through diverse venues and formats.

In Kien An Ward, the area around Hanh Phuc Lake has been revitalized with cultural and artistic programs combining commerce, cuisine, and entertainment. According to Tran Thi Phuong, Vice Chairwoman of the Ward People's Committee, the locality aims to promote the night-time economy, create cultural and artistic activities, gradually develop cultural industries, and build a distinctive identity, contributing to the “City of Music” initiative.

From professional stages to community spaces, these initial developments demonstrate the potential for music to become a resource that enriches urban life.

Building a sustainable music ecosystem

As part of its strategy to develop models of socialism associated with socialist citizens for the 2026-2030 period, Hai Phong has identified the “City of Music” as an approach to harnessing culture as an endogenous resource for development. To achieve this goal, the city needs to move beyond organizing individual events toward building a music ecosystem with a distinctive identity and lasting vitality.

First, music should become part of everyday life through regular performance schedules, themed programs, and diverse artistic spaces. While theaters provide opportunities to enjoy professional performances, squares, parks, pedestrian streets, and residential neighborhoods can bring music closer to the public. Greater attention should also be paid to music education, arts clubs, and platforms for young talent in schools and suburban areas.

A distinctive identity is also crucial to the model's appeal. Hai Phong needs to encourage the composition and performance of works drawing on the history, culture, and people of the port city. Seasonal exchanges and festivals can also help establish a unique presence in the city's cultural life. With signature offerings and a stable calendar of activities, music can meet residents' enjoyment needs while giving tourists more reasons to visit the city.

In particular, connecting music with tourism and cultural industries will play an important role. Performances linked to coastal tourism, heritage, cuisine, and the night-time economy can enrich experiences, encourage longer stays, and boost spending on services.

Building a “City of Music” is a long-term endeavor that requires coordinated development of cultural institutions, human resources, and creativeness. When music becomes a regular part of daily life, serves as a bridge between communities, and reflects the distinctive character of Hai Phong, the model will extend beyond conventional performances, helping nurture people's inner lives, enrich the city's identity, and enhance its appeal.

HAI HAU