Vietnamese traditional music will be discussed at the conference.

Hundreds of musicians, scholars and managers in the music circuit from 30 countries and territories gathered in Hanoi on July 20 for a conference to share information and exchange experiences in preserving traditional music.

The meeting, which was held in Vietnam for the first time, was jointly organised by the International Council for Traditional Music (ICTM) and the National Music Academy of Vietnam.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Dr. Le Van Toan, Principal of the National Music Academy, said the conference marks the start of a new phase in the development of Vietnam’s music in the process of global integration.

The event is expected to bring about new initiatives and plans for cultural cooperation between Vietnam and foreign partners.

After the opening ceremony, a workshop was held for members of the study group on ‘Music and Ethnic Minority Groups’. The workshop will run until July 22 and will include 12 discussion sessions with 30 presentations on three main themes: music education for ethnic minority groups, challenges and solutions, and the role of music in maintaining the stability of their communities.

Local and foreign scholars will spend the whole day of July 23 discussing Vietnamese music, particularly the traditional music of Vietnamese ethnic minority groups.

Quang Ninh will also host part of the ICTM conference. On July 24-25, participants will visit Ha Long Bay and gather at a workshop on ‘Applied Traditional Music’ group focusing on the history and preservation of traditional music and its performance. (VNA)