Hanoi will play host to a number of large bands from Asian countries at the second ASEAN Music Festival, to take place tomorrow (May 24).
The event, jointly held by the US Embassy and CAMA Vietnam, is called ASEAN Pride-Celebrating Diversity will run from 1pm to midnight on Saturday.
Bands at press conference on May 23, 2014
The day will feature bands from the ASEAN region as well as art and community groups in and around Hanoi. With confirmed acts such as Protocol Afro (Indonesia), Big Bag (Myanmar), the Pinholes (Singapore) and Stylish Nonsense (Thailand), as well as many Vietnamese acts, this event is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to enjoy Asian youth culture in Vietnam.
The festival, to be held at American Club, 19-21 Hai Ba Trung Street, will also feature an arts market run by the Hanoi Flea Market, an arts area and a children's play area.
The festival is aimed at promoting the cultural vitality of Southeast Asian nations, raise awareness of ASEAN PRIDE, help eliminate barriers to equality, end discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity as well as engage lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.
Speaking at a press conference in Hanoi on May 23, Trung Anh, head of Vietnam’s Ruby Fashion Group, said that she hopes that the event will help people understand more about the LGBT community, and focus attention on their abilities.
Trung Anh and a member of the Pinholes
A representative from the US Embassy said that it is hoped that the festival will also to help people understand more about the culture of Vietnam and other ASEAN member countries in general.
The entrance is free for ASEAN nationals (passport or ID required). A limited number of advance tickets priced at 320,000VND (USD15.2) are available from May at CAMA/ATK or via ticketbox.vn. Tickets at the gate will be 400,000VND.