Ho Chi Minh City International Music Festival opens
The Ho Chi Minh City International Music Festival, known as HOZO, opened on December 22 at Nguyen Hue pedestrian street in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1.
The Ho Chi Minh City International Music Festival, known as HOZO, opens on December 22 at Nguyen Hue pedestrian street. (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) – The Ho Chi Minh City International Music Festival, known as HOZO,opened on December 22 at Nguyen Hue pedestrian street in Ho Chi Minh City’sDistrict 1.
As the city’s biggestcultural event in 2023, HOZO, now in its third edition, is expected to offerthe audience a magnificent musical space and a multi-sensory experience.
According to thefestival organisers, the music festival witnesses the participation of 10popular international artists and bands and 14 Vietnamese ones. It is expectedto draw about 150,000 music lovers during the three-day event.
Speaking at the event,Vice Chairman of the city People’s Committee Nguyen Van Dung said that thefestival has become an annual cultural tourism event in the city.
It aims to realise thecity’s goal of developing its cultural industries, stimulating tourism, andimplementing a project on the organisation of typical festivals, and culturaland sports events in the 2020-2030 period.
The opening night onDecember 22 saw the participation of two international representatives –Singaporean singer Charlie Lim and Siberian group Otyken – and five Vietnameserepresentatives, namely singers Binz and GreyD, music groups Chillies and SaigonPops Orchestra and DJ Hoaprox.
On the second night,the audience will be treated to music from the Korean band Tempest, theTokyo-based Vietnamese rock band Kurrock, the Indonesian group Good MorningEveryone, and singers such as Van Mai Huong, My Anh, Vu Thao My, and Erik.
The spotlight of thefinal night will turn to the renowned DJ Don Diablo, El Pony Pisador fromBarcelona, the Vietnamese rock band Vortexx, singer Thu Minh, and music groupDalab.
In addition to themain stage, HOZO also has a side stage with the participation of multi-artistictalents such as Saigon🌠 Choir which will perform 1🍨3 foreign and Vietnamesesongs, SpaceX Dance Group with an internal dance showcase, and Aerobic contest- Showcase All Style./.
There remains huge room for Vietnam and Hong Kong (China) to cooperate in financial services, which can create capital flows for investment and trade activities in Asia and the world, participants heard at an event held in Ho Chi Minh City on December 13.
With diverse resources for tourism development, localities in the southern region are planning a wide range of cultural, sport and trade promotion activities associated with tourism in order to attract more visitors during the holiday season at the year-end and the Lunar New Year.
Many Singaporean businesses and investors have given priority to Ho Chi Minh City in their operational expansion plans, especially in the fields of finance, trade and high technology.
Ho Chi Minh City highly values Japan’s cooperation in and support for infrastructure development, and will create optimal conditions for Japanese constructors to implement such projects, said Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Bui Xuan Cuong on December 20.
Anh Viet Hop on Hop off Vietnam Co. Ltd. on December 21 evening launched a night sight-seeing double-decker bus tour, raising the time of double-decker bus services to 24 hours.
A standout feature this year is “Manga Fest 2025”, showcasing celebrated comic titles and also offering author meet-and-greets, cosplay performances, and other interactive activities.
The programme featured a range of activities, including group practice sessions of the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP), Vietnamese–Indian cultural performances, a commemorative flag handover ceremony for clubs, and a beach clean-up to help protect the marine environment.
This year’s tournament has gathered over 300 coaches, athletes, and referees from 18 countries and territories, competing in 28 combat weight categories and eight performance categories. Vietnam’s team has 50 athletes, including six from Thai Nguyen province.
It is the first time that the country is to hold a G1-level tournament which is expected to lure more than 100 athletes of 15 countries and regions at Go Vap Gymnasium.
Nguyen Trong Nha Uyen has made history for Vietnam’s dancesport by clinching a bronze medal in the solo Latin category at the WDSF World Championship 2025 in Germany.
The ambassador noted that among the 300,000 Vietnamese residing in the RoK, around 3,000 are living in Pyeongtaek and contributing actively to the local economy. Ho expressed his hope that the local authorities will continue support the overseas Vietnamese community in the city.
This is the first time since the adoption of the Convention that a country has served two consecutive terms on the Committee. The outcome shows the trust and recognition that member states have given Vietnam for its efforts and achievements in carrying out and promoting the Convention, as well as for its active role, strong standing, and growing credibility at UNESCO.
Quang Duc pottery is known for its wide range of forms, including wine bottles, jars, lime pots, vases, plant pots, incense burners and candle stands. Decorative motifs are equally rich, featuring mythical creatures, pastoral scenes, floral patterns, deer, peacocks, bats and more.
Vietnam’s cinematic appeal lies in its diverse settings, from terraced mountains and limestone karsts to bustling markets and ancient towns. Its mix of ethnic vibes, buzzing street life, and old traditions gives directors a goldmine for storytelling.
The Vietnamese team will gather on June 26 in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, where they will train until July 14 before departing for Indonesia for the ASEAN U23 Championship 2025, which runs from July 15 to 29. Vietnam will face Laos on July 19 and Cambodia on July 22 in the group stage.
The exhibition showcases more than 100 valuable documents and artifacts, divided into two main parts: “Journalist Nguyen Ai Quoc – Ho Chi Minh” and “President Ho Chi Minh – Founder and Mentor of Vietnamese Revolutionary Press.” This is an opportunity to recall the late leader’s journalism journey and affirm his exceptional role in founding and guiding the revolutionary press in Vietnam.
For the first time, the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) has granted Vietnam hosting rights for the two championships, including the Asian women’s solo category, which debuts this year as an officially recognised event.
Eight teams will join the tournament, divided into two groups. Group A features Vietnam, the Philippines, Sichuan Club (China), and Australia, while Group B consists of Vietnam U21, Korabelka Club (Russia), Taiwan (China), and U21 Thailand.
Despite strong home support and high expectations, Vietnam were unable to overcome the defending champions, who secured their third consecutive win over Vietnam in a regional final, following previous victories in 2014 and 2023.
The event, part of Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy strategy through 2030, was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela and USM’s Faculty of International Relations. It attracted thousands of students from universities across Venezuela.
For the first time, Vietnamese audiences will have the opportunity to experience the ballet masterpiece "Don Quixote" in its original version by renowned choreographer Marius Petipa.
The contest carried deep meaning as it was the first time the life of Vietnamese women abroad had been highlighted as the central theme, said poet and writer Nguyen Quang Thieu, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers’ Association.
The Ho Chi Minh City International Music Festival, known as HOZO, opens on December 22 at Nguyen Hue pedestrian street. (Photo: VNA) 
