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| Hue International Music Week 2026 taking place at the stage by the Perfume River |
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice Chairman of Hue City People’s Committee, Head of the Organizing Committee of Hue Festival 2026, Tran Huu Thuy Giang, expressed his gratitude to the Embassies and Consulates General of France, South Korea, Japan, Spain, and Australia for their support in bringing international art troupes to Hue. He also acknowledged the valuable contributions of sponsors and international artistic troupes, whose support has helped make Hue Festival 2026 a success.
Held as part of Hue Festival 2026, Hue International Music Week 2026 runs from June 13 to 18 at a specially designed open-air stage on the banks of the Perfume River. The event is free for residents and visitors, and the event features 15 performances across 6 consecutive nights. The festival showcases a vibrant blend of artistic styles, ranging from traditional music and V-pop to K-pop, J-pop, Pop Alternative and flamenco, while also introducing audiences to a variety of contemporary international performance trends.
The opening night show offered audiences a vibrant showcase of cultural exchange, featuring performances by Hue Royal Traditional Arts Theatre, Park Sang-Yong Yung Dance Company from Busan, South Korea, and K-Culture Friends in Chungnam. The event was further highlighted by a special performance from Japanese J-pop singer Kawanishi Natsuki.
Kawanishi Natsuki’s appearance drew significant attention from young audiences. Born in 2002, the Japanese singer has gained widespread popularity across Asian social media, attracting nearly 400,000 followers. Her song named “Ideal Girl” once became a social media sensation, recording over 20 million plays before its official release.
Mr. Minh Nhat, a Japanese music Fan from Danang, shared: “I first came across Kawanishi Natsuki on social media and was surprised to learn that she would be performing in Hue. I believe this is a rare opportunity for Vietnamese audiences to connect more closely with young Japanese artists”.
Alongside the gentle and emotive melodies of J-pop, audiences were treated to a variety of Korean traditional performances infused with modern K-pop influences, presented by K-Culture Friends in Chungnam. From the rhythmic beats of Samulnori drums and traditional folk songs to Pansori performances and energetic performances by young music groups, the night show created a vibrant, youthful, and dynamic atmosphere.
At the opening ceremony, Park Sang-Yong Yung Dance Company left a strong impression with choreographic performances developed from traditional Korean dance traditions, which were expressed through a distinctly contemporary aesthetic.
Through its harmonious fusion of traditional and contemporary arts, as well as Vietnamese and international cultural expressions, the opening night was an impressive start for a diverse lineup of performances during Hue International Music Week 2026. It also reaffirmed Hue’s standing as Vietnam’s hallmark Festival City and a dynamic meeting place for colorful cultural exchanges.
The following are some photos taken at the opening night show of Hue International Music Week 2026:
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| “Luc cung hoa dang” dance |
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| Traditional Korean dance expressed through a contemporary artistic language |
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| Kawanishi Natsuki delighting audiences with 12 vibrant and energetic songs |
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| The performance by Park Sang-Yong Yung troupe (South Korea) |
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| The K-Culture Friends in Chungnam group presenting energetic singing and dance performances |
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| Thousands of spectators are eagerly following and enjoying the show |