The Vietnam-America art show, held at Nha Trang city on June 10, brought audiences of some thousands a striking art and music feast which showcased the two countries’ hallmark artistic and cultural values.

The show, put on at the 2-4 square, featured the New York City-based jazz quintet FIVE PLAY, whose highly improvisational jazz performance mesmerized the audiences.

Formed in 1999 as a sister group to the world-renowned DIVA Jazz Orchestra, FIVE PLAY has performed at many of the most prestigious concert halls, music festivals, universities and jazz clubs in the United States, including Carnegie Hall and The Kennedy Center. The group has also performed at major festivals around the world.

Vietnam’s representative, the Hai Dang art troupe from Khanh Hoa province, created a legend-like atmosphere with fiery, enigmatic Champa dances which re-created “The Ponagar legend”.

Vivid reenactments with gorgeous traditional costumes and historical settings helped audiences clearly visualize the legend about Goddess Po Ina Nagar, which has been worshipped by Cham and Vietnamese people for centuries, spanning from the world’s early times to when the religion after the Goddess and the Nha Trang-based Ponagar Tower Festival were established.