HCM CITY – Việt Nam is facing a “brain drain” of young music talent as more artists are moving abroad to work, experts have said.

Many lecturers at the HCM City Conservatory of Music have moved to work in the UK, France and Germany, according to Assoc. Prof. Nguyễn Thị Mỹ Liêm, deputy director of the conservatory.

Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia have also attracted many Vietnamese artists, Liêm said at a workshop held earlier this week in HCM City on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the conservatory.

The conservatory is striving to retain lecturers who are offered higher salaries with more benefits to work at private music training establishments.

The conservatory offers a wide range of music education, including formal and informal training at the undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate levels as well as tailored training courses for organisations.

The number of students graduating from the conservatory, however, still falls short of demand, even though they are treated well by local music establishments.

Participating experts at the workshop said new policies for lecturers were needed to ensure that the country meets regional and international standards in music.

In celebration of its 60th anniversary, the conservatory will present a gala concert tonight (July 28). Nearly 200 musicians will perform well-known Vietnamese and international music pieces.

Performers will be from the city’s music academy, the Saigon Philharmonic Orchestra, and the traditional music orchestra. Among the performers are pianist Bích Trà from the UK, violinist Hoàng Tuấn Cương from Germany and Vietnamese meritorious artists Tạ Minh Tâm (vocalist), Trần Vương Thạch (conductor) and Bùi Công Duy (violinist).

The anniversary also features a one-week exhibition on learning and teaching activities as well as performances and international exchange, called Dấu Ấn 60 năm (The Mark of 60 years). It closes tomorrow (July 29).

The conservatory has organised various prestigious international music events such as the Piano Festival, Guitar Festival, ASEAN Symphony Orchestra and the Southeast Asian Directors of Music Congress in the last few years. — VNS