The US Minnesota Orchestra's tour in Việt Nam has been cancelled due to COVID-19. — Photo Việt Nam Musicians Association

HÀ NỘI — The Grammy Award-winning Minnesota Orchestra will not perform in Việt Nam as scheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, said Việt Nam Musicians Association.

According to a letter to the association's chairman Đỗ Hồng Quân, it said that the COVID-19 pandemic makes it difficult to carry out art projects. The orchestra has to cancel its tour to Việt Nam in June and July.

The performance in Việt Nam is one of the projects the Minnesota Orchestra was looking forward to most this year.

The cancellation of this tour is a blow for Vietnamese musicians and music lovers as well as members of the Minnesota Orchestra. In the letter, the orchestra representatives hope to have the opportunity to return to Việt Nam soon.

Bringing a world-class American orchestra to Việt Nam not only creates an opportunity to share great music with Vietnamese audiences, but also an opportunity for the artists to exchange experiences, said the representatives in the letter.

The project aims to celebrate the 25th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Việt Nam and the US. Under the project, the Minnesota Orchestra was going to tour in Hà Nội, the central city of Huế and HCM City from June 26 to July 2. 

Additionally, the orchestra was going to have master classes within the tour schedule.

Founded in 1903, the Minnesota Orchestra is one of the leading symphony orchestras in the US.

Orchestra tours around the world have contributed to create a bridge between cultural agencies and between peoples. Since its first tour in 1907, the orchestra has performed in Australia, Canada, Europe, the Far East, Latin America, the Middle East and South Africa. — VNS