It is hard to believe that these American children, who are competently performing the Vietnamese northern folk song “Qua Cau Gio Bay”, had only been in Vietnam for one day. This special performance is part of the Ho Chi Minh City concert by the American Boston Children’s Chorus on their South East Asia tour. This is the first time the chorus has performed in the country.

On June 25, more than 60 members of the chorus arrived in HCMC for their concert the next day at the city’s Opera House. The chorus had an afternoon for rehearsal at the theater, and most members said they were excited to perform in the country, which they have only learned about through documentaries.

With this trip to Vietnam, the group wants to make it a chance not only to bring their music to local audiences, but also to learn and exchange culture.

Formed in October 2003, the Boston Children’s Chorus gathers musically talented kids aged from 7 to 17 living in the Boston area under the mission to harness the power and joy of music to unite diverse communities and inspire social change.

After the concert in HCMC, the group went to Hanoi, where they will perform another concert at the Hanoi Opera House on June 29. Local pianist Trinh Trang will join the chorus to perform in the capital city.