“Why do we start?” – we all go through a challenging “starting” phase and then strive to turn our dreams into reality. The new video series “7A.M Start,” produced by Travellive Media Group in partnership with Ford Territory, is a bridge connecting viewers to the stories behind each Vietnamese brand. Appearing first on this journey, the talented band Dan Do brings a series of inspiring stories to the public.

In 2012, after returning from a European tour as part of the renowned contemporary circus program "My Village," artist Nguyen Duc Minh reconnected with members Dinh Anh Tuan, Nguyen Quang Su, and Tran Kim Ngoc to continue practicing art based on creative inspirations rooted in local materials, thus initiating a new approach to exploring the function and expressiveness of Vietnamese bamboo in music.

During this time, visual artist Nguyen Duc Phuong became the fifth "piece" of Dan Do. He played the role of documenting the creative life of the journey to find pure sounds through paintings using earth-colored materials. Artist Nguyen Duc Phuong also contributed to the aesthetic design of each instrument the group created.

Their bond stems from finding a shared purpose in their journey, sometimes jokingly referred to as their "debt to life." This journey is fraught with challenges and obstacles, but the group always believes in their passion and efforts. For them, music is their way of connecting with the world and conveying meaningful messages.

Choosing bamboo – a familiar material deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture, life, and spirit – as its "core," the group began researching and developing new musical instruments at their first workshop in Ngoc Thuy, Gia Lam (Hanoi).

“Bamboo is a native plant closely associated with the lives of Vietnamese people. We chose bamboo as our main material because through bamboo we can learn about folk culture. That is the fundamental core from which we begin our creative journey, building musical instruments that express the sounds of nature,” shared artist Nguyen Duc Minh.

Along the way, fresh melodies began to "sprout" from the diligent work and constant reflection of the members: "Can the sound of bamboo resonate like metal?", "What will we do tomorrow that's different from what we create today?". Their passion for music drove the group to continuously refine and perfect each instrument, imbuing them with the aesthetic and spirit of Vietnam.

After 12 years of dedicated effort, Dan Do has meticulously built a space that not only serves as a "nursery" for refined artistic creations but also as a warm, inviting, and emotionally evocative destination. Located in the band's familiar space on the edge of an old factory at 109 Truong Chinh Street (Hanoi), Dan Do Lab is rustic, with dreamy windows and warm, earthy tones. Dan Do's activities bridge the gap between local culture and audiences both domestically and internationally, contributing to the dissemination of traditional artistic values.

To date, the members of Dan Do are continuing their journey with the aspiration to create a memorable turning point by practicing their art under a new image and mission: to bring the sound of Dan Do further beyond borders with a contemporary musical spirit.

TRAVELLIVE readers are invited to watch Episode 1 of the "7A.M Start" video series to discover the story of the Dan Do group – artists tirelessly searching for unique Vietnamese art forms. They represent a small piece in the colorful tapestry of Vietnamese brands increasingly asserting their position in the market.

Tune in to the next episodes of “7A.M Start” to support and be inspired by the passionate and resilient stories of Vietnamese brands!