Seventh Vietnam International Choir Competition opens in Hoi An

The five-day event has brought together nearly 600 domestic and foreign artists of 18 art troupes from seven countries from across the world.

The competition is expected to promote the image of friendliness, hospitality, and peace of Vietnamese people in general, as well as the local people of Hoi An in particular, said Nguyen Van Lanh, vice chairman of the Quang Nam provincial administration, at the opening ceremony.  

Johan Rooze, artistic director of Interkultur, which the world’s leading organiser of international choir competitions and festivals, hailed Vietnam’s experience in organizing such a competition since Interkultur brought the first choral competition to Hoi An in 2011, saying this year’s competition has attracted 19 art groups from not only Southeast Asia but also the Middle East and Europe.

He expected the 2023 competition would be another success to help popularize the genre of art in the public.

The competition will feature 13 events with eight grades getting underway at the city's theatre. The organisers will present gold medals and certificates to winners of eight categories. Teams will also participate in a public performance, International Melody, and local performances of art troupes starting from 7.30pm at the Japanese Bridge, Kazik Park, and Ba Mu Pagoda on April 3 and 4.

In the 2019 previous competition, the Vocalista Angels, a children's choir team from Indonesia, claimed first prize, while the Vietnamese choir of the National University of Art Education was awarded second prize in the mixed choirs.