Weekend Music project launches at Octagonal House in Ly Thai To Flower Garden, Hanoi, on November 30, 2025.

Reviving heritage spaces through art

The project at 3:30 p.m. on November 30 at the Octagonal House in Ly Thai To Flower Garden began with its first musical notes, marking the debut of a new series of community art programs.

The program was attended by Standing Committee member of the Hanoi Party Committee and Secretary of Hoan Kiem Ward Party Committee Vu Dang Dinh; Hanoi Party Committee member and Vice Chairwoman of Hanoi People’s Committee Vu Thu Ha; Hanoi Party Committee member and Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports Bach Lien Huong; representatives of municipal agencies and Hoan Kiem Ward; and a large number of residents and music lovers.

Delegates attend the event.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports said the department is implementing the project at the Octagonal House with the goal of offering the highest-quality artistic programs to residents every weekend.

She hoped the venue would become a familiar cultural destination where music resonates amid the historic setting of Hoan Kiem Lake, allowing the community to relax and connect naturally with art.

Hoan Kiem Ward Secretary and Hanoi Vice Chairwoman present flowers to Meritorious Artist and Binh Minh Jazz Club for their participation.

For Hanoians, music has long served as a breath of life and a bond that connects the community. The department’s selection of the Octagonal House demonstrates a dual-value approach: promoting the function of public spaces while turning architectural heritage into a vibrant backdrop for artistic expression.

The project’s core objective is to establish a familiar cultural meeting point every weekend, where music performed in a sacred historic space offers an experience that is both refined and approachable for residents and visitors.

A meeting point for generations

The opening program demonstrated serious artistic investment with the participation of Meritorious Artist Quyen Van Minh and the Binh Minh Jazz Club.

The combination of jazz’s free-flowing melodies with the historic landscape of Hoan Kiem Lake created a refined, modern yet nostalgic atmosphere. Alongside veteran artists, the program also featured lecturers and students from professional art institutions.

The blend of seasoned experience and youthful energy created emotionally rich and professionally crafted artistic spaces. According to the project plan, the performances will not be limited to a single genre but will expand to folk music, classical chamber music, and contemporary youth music to ensure diversity for different audience groups.

Meritorious Artist shares remarks at the program.

Speaking at the event, Minh expressed hope that they would perform regularly and introduce more jazz artists. He noted that jazz has long been confined to clubs and theaters, but the project now brings it closer to the public.

Leaders of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports and Hoan Kiem Ward present flowers to participating artists.

The “Weekend Music” project aims not only to host performances but to establish a new cultural hallmark, promoting the image of a gracious, creative, and heritage-rich Hanoi.

As music rises from historic spaces, culture becomes more deeply embedded in daily life, enriching the spirit of Hanoians and leaving a lasting impression on visitors.