Nguyet Thu, an internationally acclaimed violist and the first Vietnamese student to major in viola at the Tchaikovsky Conservatory (Russia), has announced a series of special community initiatives upon her return to Vietnam. The artist, who graduated at the top of her class and has performed in 53 countries, introduced her new projects on December 16.

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International violist Nguyet Thu.

The lineup includes the Hoan Nguyen Living Experience Space at Thong Nhat Park, a Guinness World Record campaign titled “One Million Bowls of Pho Hoan Nguyen for International Visitors,” and the healing music project Where Love Begins. All projects are supported by the Vietnam Fund for Children with Disabilities.

Born in 1973 into a family with a strong musical tradition, Nguyet Thu is the daughter of Meritorious Artist Nguyen Van Thuong, who is recognized as the pioneer of viola performance in Vietnam. Besides her international career, she has actively engaged in charitable and community arts activities in Vietnam for many years.

The Hoan Nguyen Space is an open-air cultural hub that blends artistic performances, cultural exchange, traditional cuisine, and communal interaction. Led by Nguyet Thu, the project aims to bring classical music closer to the public - especially younger generations - by creating a relaxed and inclusive cultural environment. Free public concerts will be a regular feature of the space.

At the same event, organizers announced the launch of a Guinness World Record campaign that aims to serve one million bowls of pho Hoan Nguyen to international tourists. The project celebrates Hanoi’s iconic dish by strictly managing the quality of ingredients and preparation, thereby promoting Vietnamese culinary culture and hospitality to a global audience.

The campaign will roll out over the next three months, starting at the Hoan Nguyen Space, with plans to expand to other venues. A QR code system will be used to manage tourist registrations and distribution.

Concurrently, the ongoing music-for-healing initiative Where Love Begins will continue to use music as a therapeutic tool to support the mental well-being of patients, medical staff, and vulnerable groups. The program has already been implemented at Bach Mai Hospital and Hanoi Oncology Hospital, with plans for future expansion.

Through this suite of projects that combines music, cuisine, and charity, Nguyet Thu hopes to preserve traditional cultural values while fostering sustainable, compassionate connections between art and the wider community.

For Nguyet Thu, the measure of pride does not lie in the size of the concert hall, but in knowing that her music can help restore emotional balance and soothe the spirits of doctors, healthcare workers, and patients in the unique setting of a hospital.

Tinh Le