Christmas charity concerts light up Hanoi churches with festive classics
Two Christmas symphony concerts will take place in Hanoi this weekend, featuring classical composers and creating a festive atmosphere in Hanoi ahead of the New Year.
THE HANOI TIMES — The Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra (VNSO) will present two Christmas charity concerts at churches in Hanoi this week, bringing a festive musical atmosphere to the capital during the Christmas season and ahead of the New Year.
Conductor Honna Tetsuji, together with talented artists and the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra, performs at a Christmas concert. Photo: VNSO.
Titled “VNSO Christmas Charity Concert 2025,” the performances will take place at the Hanoi Cathedral at 7:30 PM on December 26 and at Ham Long Church at 7:30 PM on December 27. Both concerts are open to the public free of charge.
The program features well-known works by classical masters such as Johann Sebastian Bach, Georg Philipp Telemann and Antonio Vivaldi, alongside the beloved Christmas carol Silent Night by Franz Gruber.
Highlights include Bach’s Sinfonia from Cantata BWV 29 and selections from his Polonaise, Minuet and Badinerie, as well as Telemann’s Concerto for Four Violins in D major, TWV 40:202.
Japanese conductor Honna Tetsuji will lead the performances, joined by leading chamber musicians from the orchestra.
The concert will feature soloists Le Hoang Lan (concertmaster), Dao Mai Anh (violin), Nguyen Thai Ha (organ and harpsichord), Nguyen Quynh Oanh and Nguyen Thi Dieu Quynh (flute) and Luu Ly Ly (cello).
The program also brings together the Nuae Choir under the direction of Pham Hoai Trung, the young VYMI Ensemble and musicians of the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra, promising two evenings of refined classical music and holiday warmth for Hanoi audiences.
