Secret Garden to stun Hanoi with soulful tunes for first time this October
Secret Garden, comprising Norwegian composer-pianist Rolf Løvland and Irish violinist Fionnuala Sherry, gained international acclaim after clinching the 1995 Eurovision Song Contest with their hauntingly beautiful “Nocturne”. The win cemented their status as torchbearers of classical crossover genre.
Hanoi (VNA) ꦏ– Norwegian-Irish musical duo Secret Garden will perform in Vietnam for the first time on October 18 at the National Convention Centre in Hanoi, organisers announced at a press briefing in the capital on September 19.
The concert, titled “Secret Garden Live in Vietnam”, is part of the 2025 Good Morning Vietnam, an annual global community-focused music project spearheaded by Nhan dan (People) newspaper and IB Group Vietnam. The show coincides with the 30th anniversary of the duo’s career.
Secret Garden, comprising Norwegian composer-pianist Rolf Løvland and Irish violinist Fionnuala Sherry, gained international acclaim after clinching the 1995 Eurovision Song Contest with their hauntingly beautiful “Nocturne”. The win cemented their status as torchbearers of classical crossover genre.
Their 1996 debut album, “Songs from a Secret Garden”, achieved platinum status in Norway and the Republic of Korea and lingered on Billboard’s New Age chart for 101 weeks. Its tracks became cultural touchstones in Asian pop culture and art-house cinema. This year, the album will be reissued in a remastered edition, a testament to the duo’s lasting appeal across generations.
“You Raise Me Up”, composed by Løvland with lyrics by Brendan Graham, has been covered by over 100 artists and become a staple at global graduation and commemorative events. Westlife’s 2005 cover soared to No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart, illustrating how Secret Garden’s chamber music roots blossomed into a global pop phenomenon.
For their Vietnam debut, Secret Garden will take a minimalist stage, letting the narrative power of their music speak. The setlist, a journey from evocative instrumentals to Nordic-Celtic folk-infused compositions, is crafted to harmonise with Hanoi’s autumnal serenity and the community-driven spirit of Good Morning Vietnam.
Since its launch in 2023, Good Morning Vietnam has sought to bring world-class music to Vietnamese audiences while sharing the nation’s cultural and historical richness with the world. Previous editions showcased Kenny G in November 2023 and Bond in October 2024, with all ticket proceeds dedicated to supporting victims of storms and floods.
Show director Pham Hoang Nam revealed that the concert will feature nearly 30 works, grouped into three themes: nature and landscapes, human relationships, and culture./.
This year’s National Day celebrations have seen a surge of new songs, music videos, and grand-scale concerts, blending iconic revolutionary pieces with contemporary works. These works, steeped in themes of patriotism and national pride, assert Vietnam’s cultural identity on a global stage.
Launched in Ho Chi Minh City on August 19, “Be proud of Vietnam” was more than a series of concerts, it was a journey of memory and aspiration, with stops in Da Nang, Hue, Quang Tri, Nghe An, Phu Tho, and other historic localities. Each destination combined music with commemorative and community activities, offering vivid experiences of history and igniting national pride.
It is part of the series of art activities marking the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day, gathering top Vietnamese bands such as Buc Tuong, Ngu Cung, Chillies, The Flob, and Blue Whales, along with renowned guest artists like Pham Anh Khoa, Pham Thu Ha, and Duong Tran Nghia.
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Divided into three chapters with dozens of meticulously staged performances, the programme created a vibrant and emotionally rich atmosphere. The blend of tradition and modernity, powerful voices, and the solemn resonance of the symphony orchestra gave the show its distinctive hallmark.
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Held on September 13-14, ManiFiesta – the annual festival of solidarity organised by the Workers' Party of Belgium – drew tens of thousands of participants from across Belgium and neighbouring countries. Alongside music, debates and cultural exchanges, Vietnam made a strong impression with a booth rich in national identity.
Vietnam’s top female badminton player Nguyen Thuy Linh, ranked 18th in the world, was unable to defend her title after losing 0-2 to Cai Yan Yan of China (world No. 107) in the women’s singles final of Yonex-Sunrise Vietnam Open 2025.
At Nhan Dan’s pavilion, visitors encountered a vivid chronicle of Vietnam’s milestones under the Communist Party of Vietnam and the late President Ho Chi Minh’s leadership, from the struggle for independence and reunification to modern development and global integration. Special publications marking Vietnam’s 80th National Day, coupled with performances by Vietnamese artists, intricate handicrafts, and fragrant dishes, had foreign visitors lining up in droves.
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