SoundBloom Music Fest is a vibrant ten day celebration of youth music and collaboration taking place in Hanoi, Vietnam. Scheduled for July 2026, this inspiring event welcomes youth choirs, string ensembles, orchestras, stage bands, and brass bands from schools across Australia & Vietnam to showcase their talents in a non-competitive environment focused on growth, skill development and cultural exchange.
The festival will feature three dynamic school performances held at the Hanoi Academy of Music Concert Hall. There is also a special excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay, where all groups will experience an overnight cruise.
We are super excited to announce that the Melbourne Youth Orchestra is planning to join the festival, opening and closing the event, fostering international collaboration and showcasing incredible talent among young musicians.
Aims of the festival?
Throughout the festival, participants will experience meaningful opportunities for musical development, skill enhancement, collaboration and intercultural understanding. SoundBloom is NOT a competition, but rather a performance development opportunity focused on nurturing confidence, creativity, and leadership in young musicians.
Constructive critique will be provided by two musical professionals from Australia and Vietnam: Brett Kelly – Music Director of the Melbourne Youth Orchestra, and Bui Cong Duy – Vietnamese violinist . Brett Kelly is an Australian conductor and trombonist. He was the Principal Trombone of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra until 2019 and is currently the Music Director of the Melbourne Youth Orchestra. Bui Cong Duy began playing the violin at age four, and has gone on to win numerous prizes, including a golden medal at the International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians and in St Petersburg. He is now an educator at the Vietnam National Academy of Music.
Educational Benefits of the festival
Participating in SoundBloom offers significant educational advantages aligned with the Australian secondary school curriculum. It promotes the development of essential musical skills such as ensemble collaboration, listening, interpretation and fostering a deeper understanding of different musical styles and cultures.
Furthermore, the festival encourages the development of core general capabilities including:
- Personal and Social Capability: Building confidence, teamwork, and intercultural understanding through collaborative performance experiences.
- Ethical Understanding: Appreciating diverse cultural expressions and the importance of respect and open-mindedness.
- Critical and Creative Thinking: Engaging in creative problem-solving during rehearsals and innovative musical collaborations.
- Intercultural Understanding: Gaining insights into Vietnamese culture and fostering connections across cultures through shared musical experiences.
SoundBloom Youth Music Fest offers a rich, immersive learning context that enhances musical proficiency, social-emotional skills, and global awareness, aligning closely with the aims of the Australian secondary school education framework.
The festival and the Global Leaning Foundation
SoundBloom Music Fest is proudly aligned with the Global Learning Foundation, supporting young Australian musicians to further their musical journey through dedicated scholarships. The foundation acts as a conduit between Australian school communities and other groups wishing to travel to developing countries and assist in providing beneficial outcomes for those communities. GLF is a registered charity in Australia and is fully regulated and audited by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). The Foundation, with support from generous donors, is able to assist with a variety of community initiatives and social impact projects globally including SoundBloom music scholarships.
Festival Itinerary
Departure dates – Monday 29 June 2026 through Wednesday 1 July 2026
Festival school performance dates – 4 July through 6 July 2026
Festival Opening night – Friday 3 July.
Festival Closing night – Tuesday 7 July.
Day 1
Australia to Hanoi, Vietnam.
Day 2
Hanoi to Ha Long Bay.
Day 3
Ha Long Bay to Hanoi.
Day 4
Performance rehearsal at Concert Hall. Half day tour of Hanoi.
Day 5
City Tour of Hanoi. Festival Opening night at Concert Hall.
Day 6
School performances at Hanoi Concert Hall.
Day 7
School performances at Hanoi Concert Hall.
Day 8
School performances at Hanoi Concert Hall.
Day 9
Tour to Ocean Park 3 ( recreation of Venice) Hai Phong city tour. Festival closing night at Hai Phong Opera House with MYO.
Day 10
Hanoi return to Australia.
Day 11
Arrive Australia.
Want to know more?
To find out more please contact Global Learning Expeditions
Contact UsDownload Itinerary
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