To the familiar sounds of Nordic legend Secret Garden came the unmistakable imagery of Vietnam - lotus ponds, bamboo groves, terraced fields, golden rice paddies, and the serene beauty of Ninh Binh.

On the evening of October 18, nearly 4,000 Vietnamese music lovers were transported into a garden of sound and emotion during Secret Garden's first-ever performance in Vietnam. Held at the National Convention Center, the two-hour concert featured over 20 iconic pieces spanning the group’s 30-year musical journey.

Hanoi was chosen as the opening venue of Secret Garden’s world tour celebrating three decades of their career. Secret Garden Live in Vietnam marked the third installment of the Good Morning Vietnam international music series initiated by Nhan Dan Newspaper and IB Group Vietnam. The project aims to bring world-class music to local audiences while promoting Vietnam’s cultural and historical values to the world.

In addition to the Hanoi concert, Secret Garden will film a music video in Ninh Binh to promote Vietnamese tourism before continuing their tour. The specific track selected for the MV remains a surprise.

Audiences erupted in joy upon hearing Secret Garden perform beloved tracks live for the first time. These included Nocturne, the song that won them the 1995 Eurovision Song Contest, and Song From A Secret Garden, the title track of their debut album released in 1996 - now one of their most listened-to pieces worldwide.

Their timeless hit You Raise Me Up - memorized by millions across the globe - drew particularly heartfelt applause. The song has been covered in more than 1,400 renditions across 50 languages, earning fame for artists such as Josh Groban and Westlife.

Rolf Lovland (on piano) and Fionnuala Sherry (on violin) proved to be the perfect duo, defining Secret Garden’s unique identity in the global music scene. Lovland embodied calm elegance as he glided across the piano center-stage, while Sherry delivered a spirited, free-spirited performance. The 63-year-old violinist wore sneakers for better mobility and dazzled the audience with her fluid movements and remarkable technique.

She explained that no two performances are ever the same, as each is influenced by the audience’s energy. This is part of the magic that makes Secret Garden’s shows so compelling and filled with surprises.

Beyond the duo’s virtuosity, singers Espen and Cathrine elevated the evening with their rich vocals in lyrical tracks such as Lullaby for Grown-ups, Sleepsong, Thank You, and You Raise Me Up.

The visual elements accompanying each performance were carefully curated. Audiences found themselves not just in a Nordic fantasy, but also immersed in Vietnamese scenes featuring lotus ponds, rice fields, and bamboo clusters.

Secret Garden used their music as a dialogue with the audience. Between sets, Lovland and Sherry took turns sharing stories behind their compositions. Sherry shared how warmly they had been received by Vietnamese audiences, which inspired them to perform Thank You as a heartfelt tribute, with Espen on vocals.

Listeners often imagine their own landscapes through Secret Garden’s music, and this performance brought those dreams to life. Romantic and impressionistic visuals were perfectly matched with delicate lighting that shifted in sync with every note.

Sherry remarked that modern life leaves people overwhelmed and disconnected. With society overly reliant on screens and social media, people often forget to care for themselves. Secret Garden hopes their music can offer peace of mind-and they certainly did for 4,000 people in Hanoi that night.

During the show, Lovland shared for the first time that Sherry was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019, forcing them to cancel their global tour and pause all performances. They saw it as a chance to reconnect with music afresh. Lovland composed Fionnuala’s Violin in her honor, and the piece was included in their Vietnam setlist.

Secret Garden closed the concert with You Raise Me Up, the most anticipated performance of the evening. As the melody began, thousands of fans spontaneously turned on their phone flashlights, lighting up the arena in harmony with the song.

Though the concert had ended, many fans lingered, patiently queuing to meet their idols and request autographs. Some proudly held up their signed memorabilia, cherishing the unforgettable night when Secret Garden finally arrived in Vietnam.

My Anh