Montreux Jazz Festival proposed for Hanoi

THE HANOI TIMES — The iconic Montreux Jazz Festival may soon come to Hanoi as part of a series of cultural events celebrating the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Switzerland in 2026.

This idea was suggested by Swiss Ambassador to Vietnam Thomas Gass during his July 7 meeting with Hanoi People’s Committee Chairman Tran Sy Thanh.

If realized, the festival, one of the world’s most renowned music events, would be a major highlight of the commemorative celebrations.

Ambassador Gass also informed the Hanoi chairman that the restoration of the Flower Clock, a symbolic gift from the city of Bern to Hanoi for the 1000th anniversary of Thang Long–Hanoi more than a decade ago, has been completed. He suggested holding an official inauguration ceremony for the landmark this October.

Thanh affirmed Hanoi’s full support for the anniversary celebrations and stated that the city is willing to collaborate with the embassy to organize all bilateral activities.

Regarding the iconic clock, Thanh welcomed Gass’s proposal and affirmed Hanoi’s commitment to enhancing the Hoan Kiem Lake–based site as a symbol of friendship between Vietnam and Switzerland and between Hanoi and Bern.

The two sides also discussed a wide range of prospects for cooperation.

The city leader highlighted Switzerland’s strengths in urban planning, infrastructure development, and environmental technologies, especially river and lake management, areas in which Hanoi hopes to collaborate.

Ambassador Gass congratulated Vietnam and Hanoi on their recent success in administrative reform and territorial reorganization, noting that they achieved such progress in record time.

He said many countries typically require three to four years to accomplish what Vietnam has done in a much shorter period.