11.2.5. Contributions to Arts and Cultural Heritage
The University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) contributes to local artistic life and cultural heritage by organising, co-organising and sustaining regular arts performances, supporting student performing arts groups, staging arts festivals and musicals, and collaborating with domestic and international arts organisations.
In 2025, UEH recorded 45 performances and shows held in Ho Chi Minh City and Vinh Long, as well as through a collaborative concert series in Hanoi, bringing together students, alumni, artists, partner universities, invited guests and local communities.
Notable programmes included 14 Acoustic Shows at the UEH English Zone, four Dream Concert Vietnam 2025 concerts, two performances of the musical RENT at UEH Theatre, three nights of the UEH Student Arts Festival 2025, and programmes featuring traditional arts, international cultural exchange and community performances. Notably, Dream Concert Vietnam 2025 attracted more than 4,000 audience members across four venues; RENT drew nearly 2,000 spectators in Ho Chi Minh City; The Harmony of Heritage welcomed more than 1,500 attendees; and UEH Youth Festival 2025 – Hoa Sac recorded over 4,000 participants.
Through these activities, UEH sustains regular performing arts spaces, broadens public access to artistic forms, and contributes to safeguarding and promoting cultural heritage in contemporary life.
1. Sustaining Regular Performing Arts Programmes
1.1. UEH English Zone: A Year-Round Acoustic Performance Platform
In 2025, UEH English Zone, part of the University’s student support activities, organised 14 Acoustic Shows with an approved budget of VND 188 million. Held throughout the year and separately from 14 language seminars and other learning support activities, this series provided a practical performance platform for music groups, bands and emerging artists. Programmes such as Sign of the Times, THIS IS ME and Dear Soul combined live performances with interaction and musical experiences, helping maintain a regular artistic space at UEH and expanding opportunities for audiences to enjoy the arts.
An Acoustic Show held at the UEH English Zone
Source: UEH Department of Student Affairs, Looking Back at 2025 with EZ Wrapped 2025: https://dsa.ueh.edu.vn/tin-tuc/nhin-lai-nam-2025-cung-ez-wrapped-2025/
Event evidence: UEH Portal, A Musical Milestone with Acoustic Show: Sign of the Times (09/04/2025): https://ueh.edu.vn/cuoc-song-ueh/tin-tuc/dau-son-am-nhac-cung-acoustic-show-sign-of-the-times-73756
Event evidence: UEH Portal, Finding Your Voice at Acoustic Show: THIS IS ME (29/08/2025): https://ueh.edu.vn/cuoc-song-ueh/tin-tuc/thanh-am-khang-dinh-chinh-minh-trong-acoustic-show-this-is-me-74699
Event evidence: UEH Portal, Acoustic Show: Dear Soul – A Journey of Emotional Connection (04/11/2025): https://ueh.edu.vn/cuoc-song-ueh/tin-tuc/acoustic-show-dear-soul-8211-hanh-trinh-ket-noi-bang-cam-xuc-75174
1.2. UEH Student Arts Festival 2025: Three Performance Nights and the Development of Student Arts Groups
From 22–24/04/2025, the UEH Student Arts Festival was held at Auditorium A.116, Campus A, Ho Chi Minh City, comprising two preliminary nights and one public performance night. According to the published report, the event featured 16 participating units, 48 competition entries and 13 performances selected for the final showcase. Performances included singing, dancing, choral music, instrumental music and theatrical presentations on themes of homeland, history, culture and student life.
Planning source: UEH Department of Student Affairs, UEH Student Arts Festival 2025 Plan: https://dsa.ueh.edu.vn/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/KE-HOACH-HOI-DIEN-2025.pdf
Results and photographic evidence: UEH Portal, Inspiring Creativity and Self-Expression at the UEH Student Arts Festival 2025: https://ueh.edu.vn/cuoc-song-ueh/tin-tuc/khoi-nguon-sang-tao-va-khang-dinh-ban-than-tai-hoi-dien-van-nghe-sinh-vien-ueh-2025-73973
A song-and-dance or choral performance at the final showcase on 24 April 2025
2. Expanding Community Access to Arts Performances
2.1. Dream Concert Vietnam 2025: Four Classical Concerts in Two Cities
From 08-12/12/2025, UEH collaborated with the New York Classical Music Society (NYCMS) to organise a series of four concerts: on 8 December at the University of Transport and Communications in Hanoi, on 9 December at the National Economics University, on 11 December at the Student Cultural House in Ho Chi Minh City, and on 12 December at UEH Auditorium A.116. The programme attracted more than 4,000 audience members across the four venues, including international performers, lecturers, students and local residents. The concerts brought classical music to diverse audiences and demonstrated UEH’s contribution through co-organisation of off-campus events, rather than performances exclusively for UEH students.
Programme and registration source: UEH Portal, Dream Concert Vietnam 2025 by the New York Classical Music Society for UEHers: https://www.ueh.edu.vn/su-kien/chuong-trinh-hoa-nhac-dream-concert-vietnam-2025-cua-hiep-hoi-am-nhac-co-dien-new-york-danh-cho-uehers-75433
Event report and venue-specific photographs: UEH Portal, Looking Back on the Journey of Sharing Artistic Values at Dream Concert Vietnam 2025, dated 14 December 2025: https://ueh.edu.vn/cuoc-song-ueh/tin-tuc/nhin-lai-hanh-trinh-lan-toa-gia-tri-nghe-thuat-tai-dream-concert-vietnam-2025-75530
Artists performing before the audience at Dream Concert Vietnam 2025
2.2. UEH Theatre: Two Performances of the Musical RENT
The English-language musical RENT was staged twice, on 13 and 21 December 2025, at UEH Theatre. Co-organised by UEH Theatre and Honey Musical Academy, the production combined acting, singing and theatrical performance with Vietnamese subtitles, drawing nearly 2,000 audience members in Ho Chi Minh City.
Performance announcement: UEH Portal, Light Up the Stage This Christmas with the Broadway Musical RENT!: https://ueh.edu.vn/su-kien/thap-len-anh-den-san-khau-giang-sinh-nay-cung-nhac-kich-broadway-rent-75446
Results and photographic evidence: UEH Portal, Christmas at UEH Theatre: RENT and Its Emotional Journey: https://ueh.edu.vn/cuoc-song-ueh/tin-tuc/giang-sinh-tai-ueh-theatre-rent-va-hanh-trinh-cham-den-cam-xuc-75614
Broadway musical RENT: two performances at UEH Theatre on 13 and 21 December 2025
3. Safeguarding Heritage and Fostering Cultural Dialogue through Performance
3.1. The Harmony of Heritage
On the evening of 25/09/2025, as part of ArtTech Fusion 2025, UEH presented the international arts performance The Harmony of Heritage at Auditorium A.116, welcoming more than 1,500 attendees according to the published event report. The programme brought Vietnamese folk music, including Trong Com, Ly Muoi Thuong, Ly Ngua O , into dialogue with classical music and contemporary international performance styles. By presenting heritage-based musical material on stage, UEH helped convey cultural heritage to students and guests through live performance.
Event announcement: UEH Portal, ArtTech Fusion 2025 International Activities Series, featuring the performance scheduled from 18:00 to 20:30 on 25 September 2025: https://ueh.edu.vn/su-kien/chuoi-hoat-dong-quoc-te-arttech-fusion-2025-atf25chu-de-%E2%80%9Cco-creation-for-a-wondrous-future%E2%80%9D-74814
Results and photographic evidence: UEH Portal, The Harmony of Heritage: An Artistic Journey Connecting Cultural Traditions: https://ueh.edu.vn/cuoc-song-ueh/tin-tuc/the-harmony-of-heritage-ban-hoa-ca-di-san-hanh-trinh-nghe-thuat-ket-noi-di-san-van-hoa-74879
Indian artist Ajay Kapur’s sitar performance invited audiences to explore Eastern heritage at The Harmony of Heritage on 25 September 2025.
3.2. Other Performance Stages and Cultural Exchange Events in 2025
Alongside recurring arts programmes and musical theatre productions, UEH organised numerous performances involving student arts groups, alumni, guest performers and local communities.
In Ho Chi Minh City, UEH Youth Festival 2025 – Hoa Sac (24 March 2025) attracted more than 4,000 participants, including alumni, partners, external artists and nearby residents, presenting both traditional and contemporary arts. Festivals held by the School of Management, School of Accounting and School of Law provided further opportunities for students to perform before audiences including fellow students, lecturers, alumni and business partners. UEH International Cultural Festival 2025 (25 November 2025) expanded artistic exchange through music, dance and cultural performances by six Vietnamese and international student teams.
In Vinh Long, UEH Mekong continued hosting Acoustic Dynamic Blast (March 2025), Noi Vong Tay Lon 2025 – GLOW TRACK (17 October 2025) and Acoustic Lost in the Sound (18 November 2025). These programmes involved UEH Mekong students, students from local high schools and guest performers as both artists and audience members. In particular, Lost in the Sound brought together nearly 400 UEH Mekong students and pupils from Luu Van Liet and Vinh Long high schools, strengthening connections between campus arts and the local youth community.
Charity-related arts programmes such as Acoustic Det Xuan, Nang Ha and Am Sac Cho Em also demonstrated how performances could be combined with fundraising, cultural exchange and community support in 2025.
Hoa Sac source: https://www.ueh.edu.vn/cuoc-song-ueh/tin-tuc/ueh-youth-festival-2025-%E2%80%9Choa-sac%E2%80%9D-tuoi-tre-ueh-tien-phong-giu-gin-va-phat-huy-cac-gia-tri-van-hoa-dan-toc-73689
International Cultural Festival source: https://ueh.edu.vn/cuoc-song-ueh/tin-tuc/le-hoi-van-hoa-cac-quoc-gia-ueh-international-cultural-festival-2025-lan-toa-tinh-than-giao-luu-va-hoi-nhap-da-van-hoa-75420
UEH Mekong GLOW TRACK source: https://ueh.edu.vn/ueh-mekong/cuoc-song-ueh-mekong/ueh-mekong-to-chuc-dem-nhac-hoi-noi-vong-tay-lon-2025-glowtrack-chao-don-tan-sinh-vien-khoa-51-75087
Lost in the Sound source: https://www.ueh.edu.vn/ueh-mekong/cuoc-song-ueh-mekong/ueh-mekong-to-chuc-dem-nhac-acoustic-lost-in-the-sound-chao-don-tan-sinh-vien-khoa-51-dai-hoc-chinh-quy-75379
4. List and Number of Arts Performances in 2025
| Programme name | Number of performances/shows | Description of artistic, heritage and cultural value | Evidence link |
| Acoustic Show Series – UEH English Zone 2025 | 14 | A regular music series featuring acoustic, pop, rock and themed performances. It provided a platform for arts groups, bands and students to perform, engage with audiences and enjoy music. |
EZ Wrapped 2025. |
| Dream Concert Vietnam 2025 | 4 | An international classical concert series co-organised by UEH and the New York Classical Music Society. Performances in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City featured works by Beethoven, Mozart and Vivaldi, increasing access to classical music.   |
More than 4,000 audience members and 22 international artists. UEH Portal – Dream Concert 2025. |
| RENT Musical – UEH Theatre | 2 | Two performances of an English-language musical at UEH Theatre, combining acting, singing and stagecraft and exploring humanistic themes such as love, the desire to live and empathy.   |
Nearly 2,000 audience members in Ho Chi Minh City UEH Portal – RENT. |
| The Harmony of Heritage | 1 | An international arts programme at ArtTech Fusion 2025 combining Vietnamese folk pieces “Trong Com,” “Ly Muoi Thuong” and “Ly Ngua O” with Indian sitar music, European orchestral music, EDM and choral singing, connecting traditional heritage with contemporary performance.   |
More than 1,500 students, lecturers, artists and guests. UEH Portal – The Harmony of Heritage. |
| UEH Student Arts Festival 2025 | 3 | A university-wide festival involving 16 units, 48 competition entries and 13 final performances, including singing, dance, vocal ensembles, choirs and theatrical representations of Vietnamese history and traditions.  |
Two preliminary nights and one final performance night UEH 2025 event report. |
| UEH Youth Festival 2025 – Hoa Sac | 1 | A concert and traditional arts showcase featuring Giai Dieu Tre Club, MACs Band, student groups and guest artists, drawing on folk and ethnic cultural material.   |
More than 4,000 participants, including students, alumni and nearby residents UEH Portal – Hoa Sac. |
| School of Management Traditional Arts Festival – Sac Mau Cam Xuc: Ngan Nam Vang Khuc | 1 | A singing, dancing and theatrical festival celebrating Vietnamese cultural traditions, with UEH students and guest singers performing.  |
Nearly 1,000 students and numerous other audience members, alumni and School business partners. UEH Portal – Sac Mau Cam Xuc. |
| School of Accounting Traditional Arts Festival – Giac Mo Bay 2025: Net Am Vang | 1 | A programme combining singing, dance and traditional and contemporary music, developing students’ performance skills.  |
Nearly 350 participants, including students, lecturers, alumni and the School’s business partners. UEH Youth – Net Am Vang |
| School of Law Arts Festival 2025 – Dreamy to Glory | 1 | A festival of singing, dance, group and individual performances combined with student recognition activities, nurturing student artistic talent. |
Nearly 300 participants, including students, lecturers, alumni and the School’s business partners. UEH Youth – Dreamy to Glory |
| UEH International Cultural Festival 2025 | 1 | A festival featuring music, staged performances and cultural parades by six Vietnamese and international student teams, promoting cultural identity and multicultural exchange.  |
International students took part in performances and attended the event. UEH Portal – International Cultural Festival. |
| Noi Vong Tay Lon 2025 – GLOW TRACK, Main Campus in Ho Chi Minh City | 1 | A student cultural festival with performances by the Volunteer Arts Team, Giai Dieu Tre Club, Folk Song Club, Guitar Club and dance groups.   |
More than 500 students, alumni guests and singers attended. UEH Portal – GLOW TRACK. |
| Acoustic Dynamic Blast | 1 | The UEH Mekong Youth Arts Club presented music performances, creating opportunities for UEH Mekong students to interact with university and high school students in Vinh Long.  |
UEH Mekong – Dynamic Blast. |
| Noi Vong Tay Lon 2025 – GLOW TRACK, UEH Mekong | 1 | A music festival featuring UEH Mekong arts groups, the main campus Volunteer Arts Team, high school students and guest artists, combining traditional songs and modern dance.  |
UEH Mekong – GLOW TRACK. |
| UEH Mekong – Acoustic Lost in the Sound | 1 | The UEH Mekong Youth Arts Club held a musical exchange evening, expanding music opportunities for students and local school pupils. |
Nearly 400 UEH Mekong students and pupils from Luu Van Liet and Vinh Long high schools. UEH Mekong – Lost in the Sound. |
| Acoustic Det Xuan – Tet Appreciation and Spring Volunteering 2025 | 1 | A fundraising concert organised as part of UEH Mekong students’ Spring Volunteering activities, connecting the arts with support for disadvantaged households and young workers. |
UEH Mekong Youth Union and Student Association organised the “Tet Appreciation – Spring Volunteering” programme in 2025. |
| Acoustic Mien Huong Sac – UEH Mekong Summer Camp 2025 | 1 | A musical exchange evening bringing together Summer Camp participants, UEH Mekong students and high school pupils, fostering cultural links between institutions. |
UEH Mekong Youth Union and Student Association: 10 Highlights of 2025 and Key Activities for 2026 |
| Vinh Long Provincial Revolutionary Song Groups Festival 2025 | 1 | UEH Mekong students took part in a provincial arts festival and were reported to have won first prize, contributing to the promotion of revolutionary music and national traditions. |
The audience included local government agencies and other educational institutions. UEH Mekong Youth Union and Student Association Report. |
| Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration 2025 – UEH Mekong | 1 | An arts programme for local children in Vinh Long featuring cultural exchange, performances and volunteer activities. |
More than 200 local children participated. UEH Mekong – Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration 2025 |
| Nang Ha Fundraising Concert – Green Summer 2025 | 1 | A fundraising concert featuring singing, theatrical sketches and guest artists in support of volunteer activities in Vinh Long.  |
UEH Youth – Nang Ha |
| Am Sac Cho Em Fundraising Concert | 1 | A concert organised by the School of International Business and Marketing, featuring Jaigon Orchestra and rapper Mason Nguyen, to raise funds for disadvantaged children during the Mid-Autumn Festival campaign. |
More than 700 attendees, including guest artists. UEH Youth – Am Sac Cho Em |
| Celebrating the Party and Spring 2025 – UEH Mekong | 1 | A programme of singing, dance and ao dai presentations involving the UEH Mekong Youth Arts Club and local high schools, colleges and universities in Vinh Long. | UEH Mekong event report on Celebrating the Party and Spring. |
| Guitar Show – Dieu Hoi | 1 | A guitar performance event organised by the UEH Guitar Club, providing opportunities for musical exchange and showcasing students’ talent and artistry. |
UEH Guitar Club Nearly 200 students and alumni attended. |
| Thanh Xuan Toi – School of Finance Arts Festival 2025 | 1 | A traditional arts festival organised by School of Finance students, highlighting youthful creativity, talent and campus culture through music and dance. | UEH Youth announcement Nearly 300 participants, including students, lecturers, alumni and School business partners. |
| Dare to Do Flashmob Competition – UEH Mekong | 1 | A creative flashmob dance competition encouraging a “Dare to Do” spirit and showcasing the dynamism and performing arts skills of UEH Mekong students. |
UEH Mekong Youth Union and Student Association 2025 Nearly 300 students, alumni and local guest judges participated. |
| ArtTech Fusion: Unexpected Sounds, Symbiosis, Human-AI-Audience Trio, From Movement to Masterpiece (24-26/9/2025) | 1 | A contemporary art-and-technology event (ArtTech) exploring the relationship between people, AI and sound through interactive and multimedia performances. |
ArtTech Fusion – An Arts and Technology Series Promoting Sustainable Community Creativity Nearly 300 students, lecturers, international researchers and business guests. |
| Gieo Sac Xuan Ve 2025 – School of Banking | 1 | A spring arts programme organised by the School of Banking, safeguarding and promoting traditional Vietnamese cultural values through students’ creative interpretations. | UEH Youth announcement Nearly 300 participants, including students, lecturers, alumni and School business partners. |
5. Contributions to the Arts and Local Communities
UEH’s performing arts activities in 2025 contributed in three principal ways.
First, sustaining regular performing arts activities. Through 14 UEH English Zone Acoustic Shows, three nights of the Student Arts Festival and traditional School-level arts festivals, UEH supported student arts groups in developing performance skills, practising creativity and reaching audiences.
Second, expanding community access to the arts. The four Dream Concert Vietnam 2025 concerts, attracting more than 4,000 audience members, and two performances of RENT, drawing nearly 2,000 spectators, demonstrated UEH’s partnerships with professional arts organisations. Cultural exchange events and performances at UEH Mekong also broadened participation among pupils, university students and audiences in Vinh Long.
Third, safeguarding and promoting cultural heritage through performances. The Harmony of Heritage, UEH Youth Festival 2025 – Hoa Sac and UEH International Cultural Festival 2025 combined traditional music, contemporary performance and multicultural exchange, helping bring national heritage and international cultural values to younger generations.
The consolidated list provisionally recorded 45 performances or shows across 24 programme groups in the 2025 reporting period, after excluding activities outside the relevant period or those whose dates could not be verified. These outcomes demonstrate UEH’s sustained contribution to the arts, the development of performance venues and cultural exchange between the University and the community, consistent with SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities.