The ASEAN Folk Music Festival will be organised in Vietnam for thefirst time from August 1-6, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sportsand Tourism.

The event, to be held in Thanh Hoacity in the central province of Thanh Hoa, is one of activities towelcome the formation of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations(ASEAN) Economic Community at the end of this year.

It is an occasion for artists from all ASEAN member nations to meet andexchange their experience as well as learning about the uniqueness oftraditional music possessed by each country in the bloc.

The festival provides an occasion for artists to introduce and honourdistinctive values in the folk music from each country, cementing therelationship and unity among the bloc in the field of art and culture.

Twelve art groups will take place in the event which is expected to feature the unity in diversity of the ASEAN cultures.

A workshop entitled “ASEAN countries’ folk music – unity in diversity” will be organised during the festival.

Founded in 1967, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, thePhilippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.-VNA