Jazz Resonates Through Da Lat at the Viet Nam Jazz Heritage Festival 2026

Jazz Meets the Sounds of Vietnamese Folk Music

Jazz owes much of its appeal to improvisation. Built on distinctive harmonies and rhythms, it gives performers the freedom to experiment and create musical conversations among voices and instruments such as the piano, guitar, saxophone, trumpet, double bass and percussion. As a result, even the same composition can take on a different character with each performance, offering fresh interpretations and unexpected emotional depth.

This spirit of improvisation and creativity was evident throughout the festival. Yellow Star Bigband, from the Music Faculty of the Military University of Culture and Arts, brought fresh energy to the stage with performances including “Viet Fest”, “No More Love”, “Giao Sac” and “Say”, combining big-band arrangements with powerful vocals.

South Korea's JKC followed with a fusion of jazz, R&B, funk and contemporary pop. Its dynamic rhythms and powerful sound quickly energized the square, creating a natural connection between the performers and the audience.

The arrival of Lisa Ono, Japan's “Queen of Bossa Nova” brought a more intimate and romantic atmosphere. Through songs such as “The Girl from Ipanema”, “Wave”, “Moon River” and “Mas Que Nada”, she transported audiences into the gentle, melodic world of bossa nova.

One of the most delightful surprises came when she reinterpreted Vietnamese folk songs, including “Trong com”, “Beo dat may troi” and “Inh la oi”, in the bossa nova style. Familiar melodies took on a fresh musical color while retaining their folk charm, blending traditional sounds with a contemporary sensibility. Her graceful performance and creative cultural fusion delighted and moved Vietnamese audiences.

American musician Raul Midón captivated the audience with his ability to combine guitar playing and vocals with remarkable vocal techniques that imitate a range of instruments and everyday sounds. Blind since birth, he has developed a distinctive performance style and earned the nickname “One-Man Band”.

Midón said his experiences performing in Da Lat had inspired him and could provide material for a new composition. He also encouraged young Vietnamese musicians to draw on traditional music and folk influences, combining them with the styles they love to develop their own artistic identities.

American bassist and performer Nik West, known for her international touring career, brought another surge of energy to the stage. Her commanding presence, distinctive bass technique and exuberant performance style transformed the venue into a lively funk and disco experience. With songs including “Catch Me If You Can”, “Forbidden Fruit” and “Cotton Candy”, followed by a medley of “We Want The Funk” and “Flashlight”, she kept the audience moving with an impressive, improvised bass solo.

Connecting People Through the Love of Music

A performance by Vietnamese diva Ha Tran, accompanied by musician Hoai Sa, added a distinctive touch to the festival. Familiar songs such as “Tinh ca”, “Cau vong dem mua”, “Mua thu trang”, “Mua dong se qua” and “Cu chill thoi” were given fresh interpretations in the spirit of jazz fusion. Ha Tran's powerful vocals blended with inventive arrangements, moving between moments of quiet intensity and unexpected bursts of energy, including a rap performance that took the audience by surprise.

During “Cu chill thoi”, Ha Tran left the stage and moved closer to the audience, inviting thousands of people to sing along. Phone lights glittered across the square as hands swayed to the rhythm. The distance between the performer and the audience seemed to disappear. Music became more than something to listen to; it became a shared experience, with young people joining in and expressing themselves through song.

Ha Tran said she hoped the festival would help more people develop an appreciation for jazz and pave the way for future musical gatherings of the genre in Da Lat.

Alongside internationally renowned performers, the Viet Nam Jazz Heritage Festival 2026 provided a platform for Vietnamese artists to express their own musical identities within the broader landscape of contemporary music. Folk influences, familiar traditional melodies and inspiration drawn from everyday life were woven into jazz arrangements, creating a sound that was both distinctive and accessible.

This creative blend helped make jazz more approachable to audiences who may previously have considered it unfamiliar or difficult to appreciate. By connecting different musical traditions, the festival opened up new ways for people to experience the genre.

Nguyen Thi Minh Hong, a visitor from Ho Chi Minh City, said she had not listened to much jazz before attending the festival. Seeing the musicians perform live, however, quickly drew her in. She was particularly impressed by the creative reinterpretation of familiar folk melodies and the way the performers created an atmosphere in which audiences could easily join in.

The music, she said, brought people together and helped break down barriers between them.

The festival created a meaningful artistic encounter, bringing the richness of international music into dialogue with Vietnamese identity and cultural heritage. It also helped nurture an appreciation of the arts and encourage creativity among younger generations.

The combination of flowers and music is expected to further enrich Da Lat's cultural appeal, offering residents and visitors more opportunities to enjoy memorable artistic experiences. Such events can also contribute to the development of high-quality tourism products, attract more visitors and strengthen the reputation of Lam Dong and Da Lat among domestic and international audiences.

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The jazz festival adds a distinctive artistic dimension to Da Lat as a UNESCO Creative City of Music, making the 11th Da Lat Flower Festival 2026 even more vibrant. Transcending linguistic and cultural barriers, jazz serves as a universal language that connects people and fosters friendship and cooperation.

Dinh Van Tuan, Vice Chairman of the Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee