Without prior announcement, Secret Garden brought with them the violin once played by member Fionnuala Sherry to donate to the organizers of “Good Morning Vietnam” for charitable purposes.

Barely rested after their long flight from Oslo, Norway to Hanoi on the afternoon of October 16, the legendary duo Secret Garden attended a press event on the morning of October 17, jointly held by Nhan Dan Newspaper and IB Group Vietnam. The meeting was a prelude to their most special performance to date, set to take place on the evening of October 18 at the National Convention Center in Hanoi.

The Secret Garden Live in Vietnam concert is the third installment in the international community-focused music project “Good Morning Vietnam,” initiated by Nhan Dan Newspaper and IB Group Vietnam. Following the success of “Kenny G Live in Vietnam” and “Bond Live in Vietnam,” this concert, like previous ones, will have all ticket revenue donated to charity - a tradition that the organizers have maintained over the years.

Unlike Kenny G and Bond, who had previously performed in Vietnam, this marks the first time that Secret Garden will take the stage in the country. The Hanoi concert will also be the kick-off event for Secret Garden’s global tour, commemorating their 30-year career.

The organizers revealed that Secret Garden’s performance in Hanoi will meet international standards in stage setup and sound quality, following a global format. The duo will present a curated selection of their most iconic works, centered around three interconnected themes: nature, landscapes and human relationships, and culture.

With a minimalist stage design that highlights storytelling through sound, Vietnamese audiences will be taken on a poetic journey. From richly visual instrumental melodies to classical-Celtic folk fusions, their music aligns perfectly with the refined tastes of Hanoi’s autumn audiences.

Rolf Lovland, co-founder of the group, said: “We are truly excited about our performances in Vietnam. It’s our first time visiting this beautiful country, and that makes the experience even more thrilling. When we posted about the tour on our fanpage, many Vietnamese fans left comments, sent greetings, and expressed their love for Secret Garden’s music.

That warm reception gave us an immediate emotional connection with Vietnamese audiences, even before we’ve met them. Vietnam inspires us in a very special way, and we hope to repay that affection with performances that are heartfelt and unforgettable.”

He also shared that following their Hanoi concert, Secret Garden will continue their tour in major Chinese cities before returning to Norway. Still, Vietnam was deliberately chosen as the launchpad for their 30th-anniversary world tour because the group “felt the warmth and deep musical passion of Vietnamese audiences.”

Le Quoc Minh, Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper, revealed that the organizing team had reached out to Secret Garden two years ago, but it was only now that schedules finally aligned. He noted that aside from two concerts in Vietnam, the group would also film a music video in Ninh Binh - a location with rich scenic diversity that harmonizes beautifully with their music. However, he did not disclose which piece would be featured in the video.

Le Quoc Minh said he had asked the musicians whether they knew how many Vietnamese people admired their work, and Secret Garden confirmed they were well aware. They had also read news about the recent floods in Vietnam while still in Norway and felt happy knowing that the concert’s revenue would be donated to relief efforts.

Fionnuala Sherry expressed: “It is a great honor for me to come to Vietnam for the first time. We know that Vietnamese audiences have been listening to our music for the past 10 to 15 years, and we consider it a privilege to be here and to greet our fans personally.”

Rolf Lovland revealed that Secret Garden Live in Vietnam would be a one-of-a-kind event, blending new songs with timeless hits such as “Nocturne” and “Songs From A Secret Garden.” He thanked director Pham Hoang Nam for crafting a stunning stage that harmonized beautifully with Secret Garden’s musical essence.

Fionnuala Sherry added that with 13 albums and over 150 recordings to date, no two performances are ever the same because emotions are constantly evolving. The audience, she said, is the driving force that breathes new life into each of their shows.

She reflected on today’s busy, stressful world where people are overly absorbed in digital devices and social media, often neglecting themselves. That’s why Secret Garden hopes their music can bring peace to people’s hearts.

Nguyen Thuy Duong, Chairman of IB Group Vietnam, shared that when he welcomed Secret Garden at the airport, he simply wished for the artists to remain in good health. Their schedule was tight: a main show with over 30 songs on the night of October 18, a private concert on the 19th, filming in Ninh Binh on the 20th, and departure to China on the 21st.

Additionally, instead of the usual two tons of equipment being shipped to Hanoi days in advance, all gear this time arrived on the same flight as the group from Norway.

At the October 17 press conference, Secret Garden presented the violin once played by Fionnuala Sherry to the organizers of “Good Morning Vietnam” as a charitable gift.