On the evening of September 30, Hanoi, Vietnam, played host to the “Singing Together for Friendship: A China-Vietnam Film and Television Song Night.”

This vibrant event, jointly organized by the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Broadcasting and Television Bureau, Guangxi Radio and Television Station, and Voice of Vietnam, is part of the sixth China-ASEAN Audio-Visual Week. Its goal is to promote mutual understanding through music, highlight friendly narratives between China and ASEAN countries, and set the stage for the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Vietnam in 2025, as well as the upcoming “China-Vietnam Cultural Exchange Year.”

Attendees from both nations shared that in recent years, a growing number of Chinese songs have gained popularity in Vietnam, while many Vietnamese tunes have found a welcoming audience in China. They believe that events like “Singing Together for Friendship” significantly enhance mutual understanding and strengthen friendships, especially among younger generations.

The evening featured collaborations between young artists from China and Vietnam, alongside musicians from the Vietnam National Academy of Music and the Voice of Vietnam National Music Art Troupe. They performed beloved classics such as “Shanghai Beach” and “The Passionate Red Land,” as well as contemporary hits that resonate with the youth. Traditional Vietnamese instruments were also showcased, complementing iconic film music pieces like “The Moon Represents My Heart” and “The Love Song of the West Plain.” The audience, particularly the younger attendees, enthusiastically engaged in a song-guessing segment.

As part of ongoing cultural initiatives to promote friendly relations between China and Vietnam, the 2024 “Singing Together for Friendship” program will include both online singing competitions and live concerts, celebrating classic audio-visual songs from both countries. From July to September this year, a “Come Sing a Chinese Song” online competition was initiated on Vietnamese social media platforms, inviting young singers from both nations to perform well-known songs from Chinese and Vietnamese cinema. This initiative has fostered a positive atmosphere for understanding and appreciating Chinese culture among Vietnamese audiences.