Hanoi breathes new life into heritage space with weekend art program
The community art program along Hoan Kiem Lake, held every weekend, offers a fresh cultural experience for both residents and visitors.
THE HANOI TIMES — The “Hanoi Weekend Music” project, took off on the afternoon of November 30 at the Octagonal House in Ly Thai To Flower Garden, is an initiative goes beyond a performance series to bring high-quality art closer to the public and strengthen Hanoi’s identity as a UNESCO Creative City.
Jazz artist Quyen Thien Dac performing at the debut of the “Hanoi Weekend Music” project, staged last weekend on the shores of Hoan Kiem Lake. Photo: Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports
Launched by the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, Director Bach Lien Huong said the music series aims to become a familiar cultural gathering, where melodies resonate against the historic backdrop of Hoan Kiem Lake. “Music has always been a bridge connecting the community and reflecting Hanoi’s tradition of living in harmony with the arts."
Hosting the program at the Octagonal House, a landmark heritage site, is a way for the city to revive historical spaces while catering to residents and visitors. The choice reinforces the project’s goal that offers a refined yet intimate cultural rendezvous each weekend, where music enriches both the surroundings and the human experience.
The serene shores of Hoan Kiem Lake come alive with enchanting jazz from Binh Minh Jazz Club artists.
As late autumn cast a romantic glow over Hoan Kiem Lake, jazz melodies filled the air. Meritorious Artist Quyen Van Minh, a pioneer of Vietnamese jazz, and the Binh Minh Jazz Band captivated audiences with expressive, free-flowing sounds. Young musicians joined seasoned performers, bringing fresh energy and creating an intergenerational dialogue that reflects Hanoi’s mix of tradition and modernity.
Quyen Van Minh noted that jazz, once confined to clubs and theaters, can now reach wider audiences in an open-air lakeside setting. He hopes these “magical musical moments,” held every Sunday afternoon, will lift spirits, enrich Hanoi’s cultural life and leave lasting impressions on both residents and visitors.
The stage welcomes a young representative of Hanoi’s emerging jazz generation, adding fresh energy to the program.
Hanoi’s jazz scene began in the late 20th century, evolving from underground circles into a vibrant creative community. At its heart is Quyen Van Minh, regarded as the father of Vietnamese jazz, whose dedication shaped the city’s first jazz clubs and mentored generations of young musicians.
Today, energized by initiatives like the “Hanoi Weekend Music” project, jazz thrives in intimate Old Quarter clubs and at annual festivals, becoming a defining symbol of Hanoi’s creative identity.
