The VNIFF founder and Artistic Director Erin Bouriakov. —Photo erinbouriakov.com

HÀ NỘI — From July 23 to 28, Việt Nam is hosting its first-ever global gathering of leading flautists, young talents and passionate learners from across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

The Việt Nam International Flute Festival (VIFF) offers a phenomenal programme of masterclasses, performances and competitions providing students with invaluable artistic experience and the chance to connect with world-class musicians.

The festival was founded on the belief that music is one of the most powerful ways to connect people across cultures, generations and backgrounds. As a non-profit initiative, VIFF aims to create an environment where artistic excellence and human connection can flourish side by side.

"Whether you are an established artist, an aspiring young musician or an enthusiastic listener, I hope you will find inspiration, encouragement and a sense of belonging throughout this festival," said VIFF founder and artistic director Erin Bouriakov.

"By bringing world-class musicians and classical music to Phú Quốc, we hope to contribute, in a small but meaningful way, to the growth of a vibrant cultural future for this community and for Việt Nam."

Bouriakov is a Grammy Award-winning flautist renowned for the captivating beauty of her tone and the extraordinary lyricism with which she communicates music’s most intimate emotional landscapes.

Internationally celebrated as a soloist, chamber musician, educator and recording artist, she brings a rare combination of technical mastery, artistic depth and expressive nuance to the stage.

She has served on the juries of several major international competitions, including the Australian Flute Festival, the National Flute Association (US), the Tampere Flute Festival (Finland) and the Singapore Flute Festival, where her insight and artistic sensitivity are highly valued.

At VIFF, Bouriakov will not only perform, but also lead masterclasses, provide advanced technical instruction and inspire a new generation of young flautists. 

Over six days, competitors will vie for prizes in three categories: the Junior Division, MH Division and Young Artist Division, with the top performers recognised at the Winners' Gala Concert.

The champion of the Young Artist Division will receive a cash prize of US$1,000, alongside special awards including the Audience Award and prizes sponsored by renowned Australian flute maker Flutes and Flutists.

Alongside the competition, a rich programme of masterclasses at fundamental, master and artist levels, together with concerts, ensemble performances, instrument exhibitions and the gala concert When the Wind Sings on July 28, will create an open platform for cultural exchange, nurture the next generation of musicians and support the long-term development of flute performance.

Sebastian Jacot is the Main Artist at VIFF. —Photo sebastianjacot.com

Sebastian Jacot is the Main Artist at the inaugural VIFF. Winner of numerous prestigious international flute competitions, Jacot is widely regarded as one of the world's finest flautists. 

Guest artists include American Viviana Guzmán, Singaporean Tiong Eng, Chinese Meixiang Park, Italian Rebecca Viora and Japanese Hiromitsu Abe and Naoko Ishibashi. 

The festival is a rare opportunity for young Vietnamese and international musicians to learn from and engage with leading figures in the field. — VNS