The University of Sydney Vietnam Institute aims to advance cultural research
Promoting culture through the study of art and music
The University of Sydney Vietnam Institute seeks to cultivate talent, bridge the arts and music, and foster multidisciplinary cultural research.
The launching event of the University of Sydney Vietnam Institute place in Hanoi on June 20.
At the official launch event in June, representatives from the University of Sydney Vietnam Institute outlined its mission and operational objectives. The Institute, a non-profit social enterprise founded by the University of Sydney (Australia), is currently headquartered in Ho Chi Minh City with additional offices in Hanoi and Can Tho.
Beyond fostering cultural research collaboration, the Institute aims to establish a network of multidisciplinary scientific researchers encompassing medicine, agriculture, culture and arts, social sciences, business, and more. This team will contribute to socioeconomic development and strengthen strategic cooperation between Australia and Vietnam.
Besides, it's said that in today's interconnected world, cultural exchange serves as a bridge fostering understanding and respect among peoples. International cooperation facilitates the preservation of traditional values, laying a solid foundation for future generations to cherish and develop cultural heritage.
Young people's enthusiasm for traditional values is evident in their appreciation of music, folk dances, and traditional festivals. The year 2023 witnessed a surge in interest in Vietnamese culture and history, marked by a series of remarkable events. Notably, the Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2023 attracted over 250,000 attendees.
A collaborative performance by Dr. Steve Barry and colleagues from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and the Vietnam National Academy of Music graced the opening of the Institute's launch ceremony.
A notable example that cannot be overlooked is the Jazz Symphony for the well-known song "Inh Lả Ơi" (2024). This symphony was born from the collaboration between Dr. Steve Barry, the Program Leader for Jazz at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music — an Australia's multi-award winning pianist, Hammond organist, composer and improviser—and the Vietnam National Academy of Music.
This project exemplifies the power of borderless creativity, fusing traditional Vietnamese cultural elements with international jazz. By blending modern instruments with Thai ethnic melodies, it has forged a novel and distinctive musical landscape. Moreover, at the University of Sydney Vietnam Institute's launch event last June, Dr. Steve Barry and colleagues from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and the Vietnam National Academy of Music delivered a poignant performance merging the traditional sounds of the zither, monochord, and bamboo flute with Western jazz. This collaboration signifies a crucial step forward in the enduring partnership between the two nations.
Associate Professor Jane Gavan from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Sydney, is working on her art project at the University of Sydney Vietnam Institute. (Image credit: A/Prof. Jane Gavan)
Experts assert that art transcends borders, serving as a universal language that connects people and cultures worldwide. For Vietnam, a nation committed to international integration, the exchange and promotion of national cultural values hold even greater significance.
Associate Professor Jane Gavan of the University of Sydney's Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences shares Mr. Barry's perspective. Currently a collaborative researcher with the University of Sydney Vietnam Institute, her name is synonymous with influential projects that have garnered public attention and fostered cultural exchange between nations.
Gavan's initiatives, which combine sustainable artistic creation and community engagement, have earned widespread recognition from international experts and organizations. Projects such as 'Factory as Creative Workshop' (2016) and 'Creative Production' (2019) demonstrate her dedication to repurposing factory waste into artistic and commercial products. Through collaborations with over 30 creators and 20 companies, she has pioneered innovative approaches to sustainable design and production
The creative @BamunityVietnam workshop with workers at the Sydney Vietnam Institute. (Image credit: A/Prof. Jane Gavan)
Associate Professor Jane Gavan is currently curating the @BAMUNITY Art Exhibition at the War Remnants Museum, showcasing the enduring strength of Vietnamese culture through 18 diverse paintings. Inspired by the museum's bamboo garden, the exhibition offers a contemplative space. Looking ahead, Gavan's exploration of war and Vietnamese culinary traditions will culminate in the "Food in War" exhibition in April 2025. Additionally, the Sydney Vietnam Institute is collaborating with Gavan on the "CocoDesign 2025" project, focusing on sustainable innovations using coconut materials from the Ben Tre region.
Upcoming exhibitions like "Food and War - Stories of Strategy and Survival" (April 2025), "Green Sentinels - Images and Motifs of Plants in Wartime," and "CocoDesign - Icons of Sustainability" (2025) underscore the Institute's dedication to fostering creativity and collaborative research. Through these initiatives, the University of Sydney Vietnam Institute continues to enrich cultural understanding and drive interdisciplinary research in Vietnam, highlighting the transformative role of art, music, and innovative thinking in building a resilient global community.