The Vietnam-Indonesia Cultural Friendship Show was jointly organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organizations, the Consulate General of Indonesia in Ho Chi Minh City, and the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music to mark the 81st National Day of the Republic of Indonesia (August 17, 1945-August 17, 2026).

Students of the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music and artists from the Saung Angklung Udjo ensemble perform using Indonesia’s traditional angklung instrument. (Photo: Tin Tuc va Dan Toc Newspaper)

According to Tuoi Tre Newspaper, the highlight of the program was a joint performance by the Saung Angklung Udjo artistic ensemble from Indonesia and Vietnamese students and artists. In the opening performance, “Hello Vietnam,” students from the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music performed alongside Indonesian artists using the angklung. According to the organizers, the Vietnamese students had only one day to familiarize themselves with and practice the instrument before taking to the stage.

The angklung is a traditional Indonesian musical instrument made of bamboo. In 2010, UNESCO inscribed it on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The exchange also showcased distinctive cultural features of the two countries through Vietnam’s t'rưng and tỳ bà instruments, as well as traditional Indonesian dance and music performances. The direct participation of artists, lecturers and students meant that the activity went beyond performances, creating opportunities for the participants to learn about, practice and share each other’s cultural values.

According to Carolina Tinangon, Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Ho Chi Minh City, the participation of artists from both countries in performances featuring traditional cultural identities demonstrates the role of cultural diplomacy in enhancing mutual understanding between the Indonesian and Vietnamese peoples, thereby contributing to consolidating friendship between the two countries.

The Vietnam News Agency (VNA) quoted Nguyen Minh Nhut, President of the Vietnam-Indonesia Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh City, as saying that the Consulate General of Indonesia and the Indonesian community in Ho Chi Minh City have accompanied and supported numerous exchange and networking activities in recent years. Cultural, educational, sports and tourism activities are expected to continue creating more opportunities for people of the two countries to meet and better understand one another.

The program took place in the context that Vietnam and Indonesia upgrading their bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in March 2025. Among their cooperation orientations, the two countries have identified the strengthening of people-to-people exchanges, particularly among younger generations, through culture, education and training, sports, and tourism.

Strengthen Business Connectivity To Explore Vietnam-Indonesia Trade Potential Strengthening direct business connectivity between Vietnam and Indonesia will create new motivation to expand cooperation, explore free trade agreements effectively to turn opportunities into concrete contracts.

Indonesia Sees Strong Potential for Agricultural Cooperation with Vietnam Professor Hasil Sembiring said the large-scale mechanisation rice production model in the south of Vietnam was a valuable lesson for Indonesia to reduce costs and improve competitiveness.