The top ten Vietnamese musical events of 2011 were announced by the Vietnam Musicians’ Association and the Vietnam Journalists’ Association at a press conference in Hanoi on December 5.
The list of events was chosen by prestigious musicians and music journalists to acknowledge contributions to the development of music in the country this year. The selected events are:

1. Nominations for the Ho Chi Minh awards, the State awards for Literature and the Arts, and the titles of People's Artists and Meritorious Artists.

2. ‘Xoan’ (Spring) singing from the ancestral land of Phu Tho earning UNESCO recognition as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Protection.

3. The first National ‘Ca Tru’ (ceremonial singing) festival, held from October 13-16 by the Vietnam Institute of Musicology and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

4. The celebration for the 60th anniversary of the Vietnam National Music and Dance Theatre (1951-2011).

5. The celebration of the 55th anniversary of the Vietnam National Academy of Music (1956-2011).

6. The wide range of activities organised by the Vietnam Musicians Association, including Vietnamese Music Day in over 17 cities and provinces across the country on September 3-4, the north central region Music Festival in Hue on November 5-6, and the 30th anniversary of the Ho Chi Minh City Music Association (1981-2011).

7. The second annual ‘Forever’ musical programme on September 2 at the Hanoi Opera House, organised by Vietnamnet online newspaper.

8. Vietnamese Culture Weeks in Russia and Ukraine in November.

9. The Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra’s premiere in the US on October 23-24, performing both modern Vietnamese works and classical masterpieces.

10. The free open-air concerts for the public in Hanoi, held by the community-based ‘Luala Concert’ group on Saturdays and Sundays in November and December in front of the Music Publishing House, 61 Ly Thai To Street.

Nhan Dan