Saigon International Guitar Festival highlights global virtuosos and rising talents
VOV.VN - The Saigon International Guitar Festival 2025 (SIGF 2025) opened on August 15 at the French Institute for Cultural Exchange (IDECAF) in Ho Chi Minh City, gathering world-class artists while promoting creative exchange for young Vietnamese guitarists.
Jointly organised by the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music, Guitar Saigon, and artLIVE, the festival runs until August 17. This year’s programme includes three concert nights (August 15-17), the expanded Asia Classical Guitar Competition (August 14-17), and a series of workshops led by renowned international musicians.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Nguyen My Hanh, acting director of the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory, noted that since its debut in 2014, SIGF has grown into a much-anticipated annual event for classical guitar lovers. “Beyond presenting world-class performances, the festival serves as a bridge of inspiration and learning for young Vietnamese musicians,” she said.
She added that the recent international successes of Vietnamese guitarists reflect the rise of a talented young generation, nurtured through public support and sustained investment in the arts. Over the past decade, SIGF has become a prestigious fixture in Vietnam’s classical music scene.
This year’s festival welcomes distinguished artists from around the world, including Michał Nagy (Poland), Jérémy Jouve (France), Mauricio Díaz Álvarez (Mexico), Xuanxuan Sun (China), the 4.13 Guitar Quartet (Indonesia), Pongpat Pongpradit and Wadcharin Suksabsri (Thailand), along with Vietnamese-American guitarist An Tran. These acclaimed musicians will not only perform but also serve as competition judges and lead master classes, sharing their expertise and passion with aspiring guitarists.
The expanded Asia Classical Guitar Competition features five categories: Open, Junior (under 18), Ensemble, Local (non-professional), and Local U13 (non-professional under 13). This year, it has attracted more than 100 contestants from across the region, including Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
Local and foreign soloists to gather at Saigon International Guitar Festival
VOV.VN - Dozens of international and local string soloists will put on concerts during the course of the annual Saigon International Guitar Festival from August 28 to September 1 in Ho Chi Minh City.
