The group Thanh Am Xanh (Green Sounds) is one such collective of artists aspiring to use music as both inspiration and a call to action for environmental protection.
When music becomes an ambassador for the environment
Explaining the reason behind its formation, Phan Thuy, music director and head of the group, said: “Thanh Am Xanh wishes to use music to spread messages about nature, people and ecosystems. Our shared love for traditional instruments brought us together, and we believe music can act as a bridge, enabling people to feel the closeness of nature and, from there, to take action for a greener future.”
With the motto “Music leads the way to green forests”, the group has chosen a distinctive path: each performance is not only for enjoyment but also a call to action, aligned with the campaign “For One Million Vietnamese Bamboo Trees”.
What sets Thanh Am Xanh apart is that all of its instruments are crafted from bamboo, producing a clear and rustic sound that evokes both the breath of the mountains and forests and memories of the countryside.
Khanh Chung, a member of the group, said: “Music made from bamboo, a plant so familiar to Vietnamese people, is the most accessible medium we want to bring to the community. It is also closely tied to the project’s call to plant bamboo. We hope to accompany this cause in the long run and encourage more artists to join in spreading this spirit.”
Thanh Am Xanh also stands out for its diverse performance style, ranging from folk-inspired works and regional identities to orchestral fusions and electronic blends. The group’s compositions showcase its creativity and convey powerful messages of love for the environment, humanity, and above all Vietnamese culture.
Spreading the journey of sowing green seeds
Beyond performance, Thanh Am Xanh has made music a catalyst linking agencies, businesses and communities in the journey of sowing green seeds.
In 2021, the group launched its Sounds of the Forest concert, joined by nearly 200 artists and volunteers, raising funds to plant 8,800 bamboo trees in De Xu Phinh Commune, Mu Cang Chai District (now part of Pung Luong Commune, Lao Cai Province).
This initial success paved the way for larger-scale activities in 2022, when the group established a nursery of 12,000 bamboo seedlings and planted an additional 10,000 May Khao Lam bamboo trees, supporting livelihoods for 16 local households.
That same year, the Bamboo Festival concert in November attracted nearly 10,000 spectators and successfully raised funds for almost 128,000 bamboo trees, far beyond expectations, affirming the power of music when tied to social responsibility.
Thanh Am Xanh’s bamboo instruments are truly unique, producing music of remarkable quality. Their concerts are always warmly welcomed by the public, offering both artistic value and funds for bamboo planting. This is a creative direction that reflects the dedication of artists in calling upon society to join hands in protecting the environment.
Hoang Anh Tu, People's Artist
In 2023, the project placed greater focus on expertise, with training sessions in forest planting techniques for local residents and the pilot planting of more than 2,500 bamboo trees on land ravaged by natural disasters.
By 2024, music continued to accompany charitable work through various initiatives. The programme Threads of Love helped H’Mong pupils preserve their traditional embroidery. The group collaborated with partners to plant 500 golden bamboo trees at the Giong Temple, and broke ground on the first livelihood bamboo park in Mu Cang Chai.
In 2025, Thanh Am Xanh’s concert at the Ho Guom Theatre successfully raised funds for more than 1,600 bamboo trees, while the group and local people planted over 3,000 new trees in the De Xu Phinh livelihood bamboo park, gradually turning it into a model for sustainable development linked with eco-tourism.
Thanh Am Xanh’s music is not confined to the stage but is gradually shaping change in society. Hoang Thi Mui, a teacher of De Xu Phinh Semi-boarding Primary and Secondary School for Ethnic Minorities in Lao Cai said: “Thanks to Thanh Am Xanh’s support, local people have actively participated in planting bamboo, helping to conserve soil, create landscapes, and at the same time develop both the economy and tourism.”
The group also teaches local pupils to perform traditional music, helps them preserve brocade embroidery, and promotes ethnic products.
From an artistic perspective, Hoang Anh Tu, a dan bau artist, said: “Thanh Am Xanh’s bamboo instruments are truly unique, producing music of remarkable quality. Their concerts are always warmly welcomed by the public, offering both artistic value and funds for bamboo planting. This is a creative direction that reflects the dedication of artists in calling upon society to join hands in protecting the environment.”
Looking ahead, the group plans to continue staging fundraising concerts, expanding its network of like-minded artists, and bringing traditional music closer to younger generations. The artists hope each work will plant another green seed in public awareness, encouraging collective efforts to safeguard and build a sustainable future.
Amid growing concerns about climate change, Thanh Am Xanh is steadily contributing to the creation of a greener, healthier and more sustainable future for Viet Nam.
