On May 10, at the Octagonal House, the "Community Music" program delivered an emotional evening of music featuring melodies about the homeland, the country and maternal love.

Rather than selecting energetic songs or fast rhythms, the performance connected with audiences through gentle, profound pieces, continuing to demonstrate Hanoi's efforts to bring art closer to the public, expand cultural access and gradually make culture a natural part of urban life.

This week's program was organized by Hanoi College of Arts, with the participation of young artists, students and trainees from the school.

Opening with instrumental performances of "Trong Com" and "Gap Nhau Giua Rung Mo," the program quickly guided audiences into a distinctly Hanoi-inspired emotional atmosphere through the song "Mot Thoang Tay Ho."

Amid the bustling pedestrian zone, images of West Lake, familiar streets and the peaceful rhythm of the capital were evoked through music, attracting many passersby to stop and enjoy the performance.

While "Mot Thoang Tay Ho" highlighted the beauty of present-day Hanoi, songs such as "Cong Me Ve Troi," "Loi Ru," and "Me Yeu Con" brought listeners back to simple family emotions.

Many older audience members watched attentively, while numerous children sat quietly in their parents' arms listening. The familiar songs were performed in a simple, unembellished style, yet that very simplicity created a natural emotional connection.

Highlights of the evening also came from traditional musical instrument performances, including the erhu solo "Hello Vietnam" and the flute piece "Chiec Khan Pieu."

In the open space at the city center, sounds typically heard on professional stages resonated in a more intimate way, helping residents approach traditional arts gently and naturally.

Unlike enjoying performances in a theater, where audiences often prepare in advance, the experience at the Octagonal House unfolded very naturally.

Some people stopped for only a few minutes, others watched from beginning to end and some children heard the sounds of the erhu or zither for the first time. Those "chance encounters" opened possibilities for lasting connections between the public and the arts.

Dang Kim Anh from Cua Nam Ward shared: "I think the programs here are becoming increasingly diverse. Some nights are lively for young people, while others are gentle like tonight."

"What is especially meaningful is that children can naturally experience many different art forms and many young people are also drawn in and stop to listen. That is a very positive sign."

From an outdoor stage beside Hoan Kiem Lake, it is possible to see more clearly how Hanoi is choosing to develop culture during this period: not only preserving heritage or organizing movement-based activities, but also aiming to make culture present in urban life.

That spirit is emphasized in Politburo Resolution No. 80-NQ/TW on the development of Vietnamese culture and Hanoi Party Committee's Action Program No. 08-CTr/TU, which identifies culture not only as a spiritual foundation but also as a development resource and a defining element of the capital's identity.

In the past, enjoying the arts was often associated with theaters or major events. Today, many art forms are being "opened up" differently by moving into pedestrian streets, parks, squares and public spaces.

This change is not simply about performance venues but also reflects a shift in approaches to engaging the public.

Residents are no longer outside cultural life as passive spectators. Instead, they become part of the space itself, able to pause and listen to vọng cổ melodies, watch a circus act, or enjoy traditional music amid everyday life.

Through such small experiences, cultural appreciation habits are formed naturally, aligning with the city's goal of building elegant and civilized Hanoi residents.

Amid the vibrant rhythm of urban life, a small stage beside the ancient Turtle Tower continues to light up every weekend evening.

And it is precisely from these seemingly simple spaces that culture is being nurtured in the closest possible way: entering daily life, touching emotions and remaining in the memories of Hanoi residents.