Two young Vietnamese artists gave a performance of “Dan Tranh” and “Dan Bau” –the two traditional musical instruments – at the US Department of Energy’sBrookhaven National Laboratory in New York on April 28.

The performanceby Nguyen Thanh Thuy, who played the Dan Tranh, and Ngo Tra My, with the DanBau, was part of the Asia-Pacific Heritage Month.

The Dan Tranh is oneof the most popular and romantic musical instruments in Vietnam . With from 17to 22 strings, it is the smallest yet versatile member of a family ofboard-zither-like instruments. The Dan Bau is a Vietnamese monochord, atraditional one-string musical instrument.

Through the show, the twoartists introduced the American people to the two most popular traditionalmusical instruments which are an indispensable part of Vietnam ’s culturalheritage throughout many centuries.

Speaking at the performance,Ambassador Bui The Giang, Deputy Head of Vietnam ’s Mission to the UnitedNations, thanked American friends and overseas Vietnamese in the US for theirefforts to hold this musical event.

The concert coincied with the 35 thanniversary of the US war’s ending and 15 th commemoration of the normalisationof Vietnam-US ties, Giang said. He called on American and Vietnamese people toleave behind the past war heritage, build mutual trust and respect.

Afterthe show, many members of the audience came to see with their own eyes the DanTranh and Dan Bau of Vietnam and expressed interest in how the traditionalmusical equipment can be used to perform contemporary musicalpieces.

Earlier on April 26, the two artists also performed in Washingtonat the Asia Society in New York./.