artLIVE – From August 14 to 17, Saigon International Guitar Festival 2025 (SIGF 2025) will officially take place at the Institute of Cultural Exchange with France – IDÉCAF.
This is the first time the event departs from its familiar venue at the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music, moving to a new location that marks an important milestone in its evolution, with an expanded scale and a wide array of fresh experiential activities for the audience.
A Journey of Over a Decade of Inspiration
Since its inception in 2014, Saigon International Guitar Festival (SIGF) has entered its 11th year, a steadfast journey nurturing young guitar talents while creating a bridge for artistic exchange and learning between Vietnam and the international community.
Throughout its mission to spread the art of classical guitar, SIGF has continually affirmed its position as one of the most prestigious classical guitar events in Southeast Asia. More than just a performance stage, SIGF is a vibrant meeting ground where artists, educators, students, and guitar enthusiasts come together to connect, exchange ideas, and inspire one another.
Continuing its remarkable legacy, SIGF 2025 will take place over four consecutive days, offering participants a rich program of exceptional performances and intensive training activities, including:
- Three unforgettable nights of classical guitar concerts
- A regional classical guitar competition expanded across Asia
- A series of workshops and master classes led by internationally acclaimed guitarists
- An outdoor art space open to the public
SIGF 2025 is jointly organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music, Guitar Saigon, and artLIVE. The event will be held at the Institute of Cultural Exchange with France (IDÉCAF) from August 14 to 17.
For the first time, SIGF introduces a free outdoor art space
Marking the 9th season of connecting the classical guitar community and music lovers, this year Saigon International Guitar Festival expands beyond the concert hall for the very first time. The newly added outdoor area brings art closer to everyday life, fosters community connection, and carries the spirit of classical guitar.
The four-day community program is open to the public free of charge and includes:
- String Lab: Step into a unique guitar exhibition space featuring handcrafted guitars made by renowned luthiers such as Kim Sang Gil (Korea), Justin Ta (Australia), Vu Tran and the Guitar Nghe Thuat collective (Vietnam).
- Open Stage: An outdoor stage welcoming music lovers of all ages and skill levels. At Open Stage, everyone is encouraged to express themselves—no judgment, just pure passion and creativity.
- Taste the Strings: A culinary area where guests can enjoy food and drinks inspired by music, turning flavors into a sensory extension of sound.
- Creative Workshop & Art Jam: A boho-vintage-inspired art zone filled with hands-on workshops for all ages—from hand-drawing to multi-material crafts—offering a space for creativity, connection, and memorable moments.
Concert Night – A Sublime Journey of Emotions through Masterful Guitar Performances
Saigon International Guitar Festival 2025 officially opens, ushering in four days immersed in the world of classical guitar. This year, the SIGF stage gathers renowned artists from around the globe, including France, Poland, Mexico, China, and Indonesia.
The opening concert on August 15 features the performance of the talented Xuanxuan Sun (China) – a female guitarist frequently invited to perform at festivals across Europe and Asia, and Mauricio Diaz Alvarez (Mexico/Spain) – a multi-award-winning guitarist with an impressive discography of internationally released albums.
Notably, the presence of guitarist Mauricio Díaz Alvarez holds special significance, marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Mexico (1975–2025). His performance is supported by the Honorary Consulate of Mexico in Ho Chi Minh City, highlighting the spirit of cultural exchange between the two countries through the universal language of classical music.
On the following evening (August 16), the concert stage will welcome prominent European artists: Michal Nagy (Poland), Head of the Guitar & Harp Department at the Krzysztof Penderecki Academy of Music; and Jérémy Jouve (France), winner of the Guitar Foundation of America (GFA) competition.
The festival will conclude on August 17 with a closing concert by the rising stars of 4.13 Guitar Quartet (Indonesia). Well known for their impressive achievements at ensemble competitions across Asia, the quartet promises to bring a fresh breeze, offering the audience a unique take on the art of guitar ensemble performance.
Concert ticket purchase link: https://quickom.net/event/saigon-international-guitar-festival-2025-3470
Classical Guitar Competition – Nurturing Young Talents
Alongside the captivating performances, the Saigon International Guitar Festival 2025 (SIGF 2025) offers a meaningful platform for young music enthusiasts both local and international, to showcase their talents, compete in multiple rounds, and engage in cultural and educational exchanges with renowned experts in the field.
The Classical Guitar Competition, held as part of the festival, features five diverse categories designed for all levels and age groups: Open Category, Junior Category (Under 18), Ensemble Category, Local Category (Non-professional, no age limit) and Local U13 Category (Non-professional under 13).
The competition officially kicks off on August 14 with the International Qualification Round of the Open Category, welcoming guitarists of all ages from across Asia. Also on this day, the Ensemble Category will present a series of dynamic duo, trio, quartet, and group performances.
On August 15, the Junior Category will gather talented young players under 18 from multiple countries.
August 16 will be dedicated to Vietnamese guitarists, with two key categories: the Local Category for all non-professional domestic players, and the Local U13 Category, giving younger children a stage to showcase their technique, musical sensitivity, and passion for classical guitar.
The competition returns on August 17 with the final round of the Open Category – International Qualification, offering an intense selection process to crown the most outstanding performer of SIGF 2025. This final day also promises an exciting concert experience for the audience, with some of the best performances from top contenders.
The jury panel comprises acclaimed international and Vietnamese artists, including Michal Nagy, Jérémy Jouve, Mauricio Díaz Alvarez, Xuanxuan Sun, 4.13 Quartet, An Tran, and other distinguished local guitarists and educators, ensuring the highest level of fairness and professionalism in the evaluation process.
Contest registration link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc_xL8Vp9VeTIwDO9KwjKjjbb4VwC_05SWMsV2s2BzB6T3yLQ/viewform
Application fee: https://saigonguitarfestival.weebly.com/fees.html
Spreading the Essence of Classical Guitar through Specialized Activities
In addition to the evening concerts and the competition, SIGF 2025 offers a series of educational and professional activities that aim to nurture the classical guitar community in Vietnam through workshops and master classes.
The workshops feature a wide range of themes that broaden musical perspectives for guitar enthusiasts. On August 15, audiences will be invited to explore two compelling topics: an in-depth look at the music and artistic profiles of two contemporary French composers, Mathias Duplessy and Jérémy Jouve, followed by a session on advanced guitar techniques, led by Dr. An Trần.
Continuing on August 16, a special workshop on handcrafted guitars will offer a rare experience to explore and interact with uniquely crafted instruments. Renowned luthiers from South Korea, Australia, and Vietnam will showcase their finely built guitars, each a blend of expert craftsmanship and deep musical passion.
Master classes, a core feature of SIGF 2025, are personalized instructional sessions conducted by the festival’s international guest artists. Taking place on August 14 and 16, these classes are open to the public and provide aspiring guitarists a valuable opportunity to learn, exchange ideas, and sharpen their skills directly with world-class mentors.
From soul-stirring concerts and thrilling competitions to insightful workshops, master classes, and the debut of outdoor community activities, SIGF 2025 offers a holistic and engaging artistic space—bringing classical guitar closer to the public and uniting music lovers across generations.
_____
Time: August 14–17, 2025
Venue: Institute of Cultural Exchange with France (IDÉCAF), 31 Thai Van Lung Street, Sai Gon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
Photo: Organizing Committee
