A night was sparking the Han River view in Da Nang, and The city will host the 6th annual music and community festival – BridgeFest 2022, on August 27. — Photo courtesy by Le Quang Thien.

The artists include the American acapella group BackTrack Vocals, Da LAB, aka Nikola H. Mounoud from Switzerland, My Anh, Buc Tuong band, Kimmese, Brainwave, Minh Toc; Lam, and Mesid3.

The theme of BridgeFest 2022 is ‘Be the Change Toward a Human Economy’, encouraging all to realise the importance of humanity and our shared environment above all else.

BridgeFest – a free music and community festival open to the public - encourages youth to be agents to reduce social inequality. This concept has resonated with the Vietnamese people and has become the essence of BridgeFest since its inception.

Bikini dancers spark on the beach of Da Nang in a summer event. Many musical festivals will be taken on the beach in late August. — VNS Photo Cong Thanh

This year, 32 social organisations, enterprises, and youth clubs came together from across the country to make BridgeFest happen.

These partnerships represent concerted efforts to resolve social problems relating to the environment, education, healthcare, cultural, sexual and gender identity, persons with disabilities, women and children toward a better future.

After five successful years based in Ha Noi, BridgeFest has become an exciting event that young people look forward to every year.

The most recent BridgeFest in 2020 was held at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square in Ha Noi and attracted more than 15,000 people.

BridgeFest 2022 marks the first time the festival will be held in Da Nang, and organisers hope it will spread a meaningful message to a new audience.

BridgeFest 2022 Music and Community Festival is open to the public from 3pm to 10pm on the beach of Da Nang. Everyone is welcome to enjoy a magnificent music experience for free.

Bridgefest is jointly organised and sponsored by Da Nang People’s Committee, Ministry of Cultural, Sports and Tourism, United States Mission to Viet Nam, the Swiss Embassy, and talented, driven, and ambitious Vietnamese youth.

Artists and dancers stage in the street of Da Nang in a night festival. Popular artists from around the world and Viet Nam will perform in BridgeFest 2022 at Bien Dong (East Sea) Park. — VNS Photo Le Lam

Vu Thi Quynh Hoa of Oxfam underscored the significance of young people: “I feel proud seeing young people who are passionate about music and are enthusiastic and engaged in social activities at BridgeFest. We hope more people, businesses, and organisations participate in social activities to help spread this positive message of moving our society towards a human economy.”

BridgeFest 2022 marks the first year of the Swiss Embassy participating as one of the event organisers.

Nicole Wyrsch, Charge de Affaires of the Swiss Embassy, said: “Looking at the six-year journey of the programme, we think BridgeFest is a significant programme that spreads many good messages. The Swiss Embassy and its partners hope that BridgeFest 2022 will be an interesting highlight of summer 2022, not only in terms of music but also in humanistic activities.”

Formerly known as South East Asian Pride 2016 – a music event honouring diversity and equality in society, BridgeFest has been held for five consecutive years and has become a signature community event that attracts a large audience and spreads inspirational messages about equality and social integration.

My Khe beach in Da Nang is decorated for hosting visitors in the summer holidays. The beach is a favourite destination and a rendezvous for music and cultural performances. — VNS Photo Cong Thanh

Since 2017, BridgeFest has been co-organised by Oxfam and the US Embassy.

BridgeFest is part of Oxfam’s worldwide campaign ‘Even It Up – Bridging the Gap,’ which aims to help eliminate inequality.