Australian and Vietnamese performers team up to
celebrate Australia Day 2011
Australian and Vietnamese performers will feature in a special gala concert celebrating Australia-Vietnam ties on the occasion of Australia Day 2011. The concert will be held at the Hanoi Opera House on 21 January, following a successful concert in Ho Chi Minh City on 20 January.
The concert will feature Australian singer Thanh Bui and outstanding pianist Nguyen Van Anh, alongside young Vietnamese pianist Luu Hong Quang and much-loved Vietnamese pop star
My Linh.
Australian Ambassador, HE Mr Allaster Cox, welcomed the concert as a further demonstration of the strong people-to-people ties between the two countries: “We’re proud to be able to showcase the voices and musical talents of Vietnamese-Australians and of Vietnamese studying music in Australia: Ms Nguyen Van Anh, Mr Thanh Bui and Mr Luu Hong Quang.”
“Vietnamese-Australians play a key and prominent part in our Australian multicultural life today. From politics and public life, to the professions, business, education and cultural life, they are involved in all areas of our national community. Strong and growing ties between Vietnamese-Australians and Vietnam will be a driving force in relations between the two countries.”
Australia and Vietnam enjoy close relations and broad practical cooperation, underlined by the Comprehensive Partnership signed during former General Secretary Nong Duc Manh’s visit to Australia in 2009. Other recent high-level visits to Australia include General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (then National Assembly Chair) in January 2008 and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in September 2008. Prime Minister Julia Gillard met Vietnamese leaders in Hanoi in October 2010 and committed AUD160 million (VND3,120 billion) in Australian funding to the Cao Lang bridge project. Total Australian development assistance to Vietnam in 2010-20111 is around AUD120 million (VND2,340 billion).
Education links between Australia and Vietnam are strong, supported by 250 scholarships each year for Vietnamese to study in Australia. In 2010, 23,000 Vietnamese students enrolled in courses in Australia.
Information on performers:
Thanh Bui
Born in Adelaide to Australian-Vietnamese parents, Thanh found fame in Asia in the popular boys group 'North' before reaching the Top 8 on Australian Idol in 2008. When not on stage, Thanh uses his talent and charisma as a vocal coach and song writer. Thanh made his debut performance in Vietnam in 2010, releasing a hit local single with pop star Ho Ngoc Ha.
My Linh
My Linh is one of Vietnam's most-loved singers, having enjoyed immense success both on the stage and via her diverse catalogue of pop, funk and R&B recordings. My Linh has been invited to perform throughout the world, including special guest appearances in Australia, the United States and South Korea.
Nguyen Van Anh
Van Anh started playing piano at just 14 months and entered the Sydney Conservatorium at the age of 4. She has electrified audiences in Europe, Asia and the United States with her edgy, crossover style. Van Anh is a devoted Ambassador for the charity Heart Reach Australia and a passionate advocate for sharing classical music with young audiences.
Luu Hong Quang
A child prodigy, Quang has studied piano at the Australian International Conservatorium of Music since 2006. Quang has wowed judges in Vietnam and around the world, winning first place in the Australia Chopin Competition in 2009. Quang's family includes many talented musicians, including his father, Artist of Merit Luu Quang Minh, and his brother, Luu Duc Anh.