The news that Hanoi Rock City (HRC), the familiar music "holy land" located on To Ngoc Van Street, Quang An, Tay Ho, suddenly announced that it would temporarily suspend operations at its current location has caused deep shock in the music-loving community in Hanoi.
The reason given is to ensure absolute safety during the construction period in the surrounding area. HRC will suspend all activities until further notice, while the management board is actively working with event organizers to find alternative solutions or reschedule.
Hanoi Rock City's announcement shocked music fans, especially after witnessing the closure of two iconic stages in Ho Chi Minh City, Lan Anh and Trong Dong.
Founded in 2010 by Mr. Vo Duc Anh and a group of young music lovers, Hanoi Rock City was born from a perception of the lack of playgrounds dedicated to music genres such as metalcore or indie in Hanoi. This place quickly became a unique music venue, an important cultural space where artists have the opportunity to show off their music products.
Many fans are worried that Hanoi Rock City will eventually cease operations because the old location does not meet safety conditions or a suitable replacement cannot be found.
Over the past decade, Hanoi Rock City has become an ideal space for exchange, meeting and collaboration for both domestic and international musicians, artists and curators. HRC has not only witnessed the growth of many young Vietnamese artists but also a stage for diverse genres, from indie performances, swing jazz, to comedy and exhibitions.
If this happens, music fans will be extremely regretful. Especially the audience who have spent a part of their youth with Hanoi Rock City.
Many big names in the Vietnamese music scene such as SpaceSpeakers, Ngọt, Cá Hồi Hoang, Vũ... have also chosen HRC as the venue for their memorable shows. With three core criteria: art, music and culture, HRC has contributed significantly to the development and diversification of the capital's cultural life.
The temporary closure of Hanoi Rock City inevitably raises concerns about the future of independent stages in Vietnam, especially when two music icons in Ho Chi Minh City, Lan Anh and Trong Dong stages, had to close down.
Many bands and artists have held music shows at Hanoi Rock City such as SpaceSpeakers, Ngọt, Cá Hồi Hoang, Vũ...
Many audiences expressed concern that the shrinking of performance spaces will make it increasingly difficult for young artists to find a stage to approach and introduce new music products to the public. This poses a major challenge to maintaining and developing a diverse and vibrant music ecosystem in Vietnam.
