The meeting, which came to 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 among members of the study group on “Music and ethnic minority groups”. The workshop, to run until July 22, will have 12 discussion sessions and hear 30 presentations that take three main themes, including 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 Vietnam’s music, including the traditional music of Vietnamese ethnic minority groups.

Besides Hanoi, 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 of the “Applied Traditional Music” group. The workshop will focus on the history and activities of traditional music, performance art and preservation.