Modern and contemporary music
Today’s Vietnamese popular music finds its roots in the so-called 'pre-war music' (
nhạc tiền chiến), which developed during the colonial period. Harmonious, sentimental and often melancholy, many popular romantic songs from both before and after 1945 have since become regarded as national treasures and are still performed widely.
Close links with the Soviet Bloc during the 1950s enabled many northern Vietnamese to train to a high level at leading Russian and East European conservatories and Russian assistance was also instrumental in helping to set up the prestigious Hà Nội Conservatory of Music in 1956. Over the past half century numerous Vietnamese composers have worked within the medium of western classical music, seeking to develop a distinctly Vietnamese aesthetic inspired by indigenous music traditions and themes of resistance and revolutionary heroism. Consequently there now exists a substantial body of Vietnamese chamber and orchestral music, including many symphonic works of high artistic quality.
Use the navigation bar on the left to read more about modern and contemporary Vietnamese music or make direct contact with organisations and individuals working in this sector through our
KEY CONTACTS database.