Music fest shows off police talents

After performing on an outdoor stage in front of the King Ly Thai To Statue in the city centre, the bands made a parade around Hoan Kiem Lake, attracting thousands of onlookers.

The festival was jointly organized by the Japanese Mainichi newspaper and the Vietnam Ministry of Public Security in Vietnam for the first time.

Genta Furukuwa, a member of organizing board, said the festival aimed to raise the profile of the public security agencies. The main programme will take place tonight at the Hanoi Opera House where the bands will play classical and contemporary music, said Furukuwa.

Since 1996, the annual festival has been held in countries and territories including the US, UK, Netherlands, Japan, Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Singapore.