(VNF)- Nine art troupes from Southeast Asian countries are gathering at a five-day traditional music festival of the Association Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which is running in the northern Vietnamese province of Thanh Hoa starting August 1.

Artists from eight ASEAN member states - Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippine, Myanmar and host Vietnam- are joined by their counterparts from the Republic of Korea at the event.

Artists from an ASEAN country are seen performing at an art event. (Photo: VNA)

Speaking at the opening night, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Vuong Duy Bien stressed the event marks the 20^th anniversary of Vietnam’s ASEAN membership and the 48^th anniversary of the bloc ahead of the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community at the end of this year.

The music program aims to promote timeless musical features boasted by regional countries and to beef up mutual understanding among their citizens.

It will also give a boost to tourism growth in Vietnam and among ASEAN countries, Bien noted.

During the five-day event, participating troupes will also perform in Sam Son coastal resort town, a beloved tourist destination in northern Vietnam, alongside the official program.

A seminar addressing the persity and values of ASEAN traditional music will also take place in the framework of the event./.

by VNF