On November 25, the society held its first national congress for the 2025–2030 term, electing a 15-member executive board, including 7 members of the standing committee and 3 in the inspection board.

Dr. Nguyen Van Than (born 1955), a National Assembly delegate for the 14th and 15th terms and a member of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, was elected President. People’s Artist Pham Ngoc Khoi was named Standing Vice President, while composer Tran Le Chien was appointed Vice President and Secretary-General.

A milestone in Vietnam’s cultural journey

At the congress, Dr. Nguyen Van Than emphasized that this event represents a significant milestone in the development of Vietnam’s cultural and artistic life - especially for classical music. He shared that the idea to establish the society stemmed from a desire to preserve and promote national cultural values amid a new era of growth and integration.

The Vietnam Classical Music Society was officially recognized by the Ministry of Home Affairs on October 22, 2025, under Decision No. 1217/QD-BNV.

Dr. Than noted that while the appointment is a personal honor, it also comes with a great responsibility. He believes classical music is a powerful cultural language that connects nations, and many countries already include it in their cultural diplomacy strategies. Vietnam, he said, needs an organization with sufficient vision and reach to participate meaningfully in global cultural dialogues.

He pledged to implement the society’s tasks effectively, aligning its operations with international standards, expanding long-term partnerships with foreign artists and institutions, and enhancing the global profile of Vietnamese classical music. The society will also pursue new development opportunities in line with the Party and State’s national cultural industry strategy, creating real value for its members and the public.

As a show of social commitment, Dr. Than announced a special charity concert to be held on the evening of November 28 to support flood-hit communities in central Vietnam. All proceeds from ticket sales and sponsorships will be donated to the Vietnam Fatherland Front for relief efforts.

A new vision with global scope

According to the society’s charter, its mission is built on three pillars: creating a modern and sustainable classical music ecosystem in Vietnam, enhancing the international presence of Vietnamese artists, and contributing to the cultural, artistic, and socio-economic development of the country.

To realize this vision for the 2025–2030 period, the society has identified three strategic objectives:

First, establish the Vietnam Music Talent Fund.

Second, invite international artists to Vietnam for teaching and mentorship.

Third, organize masterclasses, grant domestic and international scholarships, and expand cooperation with reputable conservatories and music academies to support emerging talent.

Beyond training, the society also aims to organize a national concert series and the Vietnam Classical Music Festival. It plans to support young orchestras in connecting regionally and to bring classical music into schools, hospitals, and communities.

Digitization will also be a core focus. The society intends to develop livestream concerts, podcasts, and online music education platforms - delivering classical music to the public in new, accessible ways.

Tinh Le