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Director Pham Hoang Nam couldn’t hide his excitement as he takes on the role of stage director for “Secret Garden Live in Vietnam” on October 18 in Hanoi, revealing that he has been a fan of the band for many years.
On the afternoon of September 19, Nhan Dan Newspaper, in collaboration with IB Group Vietnam, held a press conference to officially announce that Secret Garden will perform live for the first time in Vietnam. The event is part of the international community music initiative “Good Morning Vietnam” 2025 and coincides with the 30th anniversary of the group’s formation.
Launched in 2023, “Good Morning Vietnam” is an international music-for-community project initiated and organized annually by Nhan Dan Newspaper and IB Group Vietnam. Its mission is to bring world-class music to Vietnam while promoting the cultural and historical values of the country to the global audience. The first two events - “Kenny G Live in Vietnam” (November 2023) and “Bond Live in Vietnam” (October 2024) - generated strong buzz, with all ticket proceeds donated to support those affected by natural disasters.
Following two resounding successes, “Secret Garden Live in Vietnam” marks the next milestone in the project’s journey to make world-class music accessible to Vietnamese audiences while continuing its humanitarian efforts. The concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. on October 18 at the National Convention Center in My Dinh.
Le Quoc Minh, Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper, shared at the press conference: “We began planning this show early, but aligning the schedule and budget with Secret Garden’s tour was sheer luck. The fact that they can come to Vietnam right on their 30th anniversary makes this even more special. Kenny G and Bond have performed here before, but this is the first time the legendary Secret Garden will be part of Good Morning Vietnam. With the humanitarian aspect of the program, the ticket revenue will go to charity, and we will also produce a music video to promote Vietnamese tourism.”
Director Pham Hoang Nam remarked: “I’ve been a long-time fan of Secret Garden. For me and my family, their music is like daily breath. Accepting the organizing committee’s invitation felt both monumental and delightful.” He revealed plans to build a magical stage that sparks the audience’s imagination and transports them into a fairytale realm.
“The show will take the audience into another world, far from reality. The Secret Garden stage will be soft, romantic. The concert will include nearly 30 songs divided into three themed sets: the beauty of nature, human relationships and spirituality, and culture. We will blend theatrical language with music video elements to deliver an experience-rich performance. This could be one of the most beautiful Secret Garden stages ever created,” he said.
According to the director, the emotions that Secret Garden evokes are immeasurable. “The show will focus on visuals, lighting, and sound - not grandeur. I never demand oversized stages or giant screens. The National Convention Center is already a fitting venue. IB Group provides excellent conditions, and we’re focusing on the right balance to elevate the music. This will be Secret Garden’s most beautiful stage,” he added.
Photos: Hai Duong
Nguyen Thuy Duong, Chairman of IB Group Vietnam, revealed that the organizers had been in talks with Secret Garden for two years. Initially, the group did not accept offers for solo shows, no matter the pay. “They were supposed to come last year, but they declined, which led us to invite Bond. Now, Secret Garden has agreed to perform a full live concert in Vietnam. It might be their largest touring stage ever. This is their 30th anniversary tour, starting in Vietnam, followed by China and Europe through December,” Duong said.
The organizers said Secret Garden will bring all their instruments and two mixing consoles. Equipment will arrive in Hanoi 10 days before the show. “We’re introducing Vietnam’s most advanced indoor live sound system. Even Secret Garden was surprised Vietnam had such technology. Fortunately, our equipment providers love the Good Morning Vietnam project and the band, so they agreed to deploy this sound system. Globally, artists like Taylor Swift and BlackPink use this system. We’ve met and exceeded all of Secret Garden’s requirements,” Duong shared.
Secret Garden is a musical duo from Ireland and Norway, featuring composer and pianist Rolf Lovland and violinist Fionnuala Sherry. The group gained global fame after winning the 1995 Eurovision Song Contest with “Nocturne” - an almost entirely instrumental piece that captivated listeners with its depth and expressive performance, defining their lyrical, classical, and New Age fusion style. Their victory paved the way for them to become icons in the classical crossover genre.
Their debut album Songs from a Secret Garden (1996) became a global hit, earning platinum status in Norway and South Korea and spending 101 weeks on the Billboard New Age chart. The song You Raise Me Up (music by Rolf Lovland, lyrics by Brendan Graham) became one of the most inspiring pieces ever written, covered by over 100 artists including Josh Groban and Westlife, and is now a staple at graduation ceremonies and inspirational events.
After three decades of enchanting millions worldwide, Secret Garden will bring their music to Vietnamese audiences for the first time, marking a new milestone in their illustrious career. At the “Good Morning Vietnam” concert, the duo is expected to present a collection of their most iconic pieces alongside minimalist stage designs that highlight the narrative power of their music. From poetic instrumentals to Celtic and Nordic-inspired vocal pieces, the performance promises to resonate with Vietnamese listeners in the serene atmosphere of Hanoi’s autumn.
My Anh
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