Cover Like a dream, two elegant gentlemen, Ha Anh Tuan and Yiruma, stood beneath the lights together at “Sketch A Rose in Saigon”
Like a dream, two elegant gentlemen, Ha Anh Tuan and Yiruma, stood beneath the lights together at “Sketch A Rose in Saigon”
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Like the realisation of a dream, in early March, two refined gentlemen, Ha Anh Tuan and Yiruma, shared the stage under a canopy of lights—continuing the long-held dream of thousands of Vietnamese music lovers at “Sketch A Rose in Saigon”.
For generations, Vietnamese audiences have been profoundly moved by the tender opening bars of April Is Your Lie, their hearts stirred by the wistful, flowing melodies of Kiss the Rain and River Flows in You. These timeless compositions, long associated with introspection and longing, have become deeply embedded in the emotional memory of many. Yet few ever imagined the day when such evocative sounds would be heard live—let alone accompanied by the familiar, resonant voice of a beloved Vietnamese artist, on a stage set within their homeland.
And so, when that long-held dream finally took shape, it felt almost otherworldly. In a moment as fragile and luminous as a dream recalled at dawn, the two artists—Ha Anh Tuan and Yiruma—stood side by side, uniting their artistry in a rare, spellbinding performance. On the stage of Sketch A Rose in Saigon, an audience of 20,000 witnessed something unforgettable: a harmony of sound and spirit as the pair lifted the night sky with a music that felt both intimate and infinite.
Yiruma plays music for Ha Anh Tuan: The meeting day of two music icons
Following landmark performances at the Esplanade in Singapore and the Sydney Opera House, Sketch A Rose returned to Vietnam with a heart ablaze and a symphonic vision crafted with exquisite care.
Across two nights, on 8 and 9 March, Sketch A Rose in Saigon unfolded in the heart of The Global City, offering 20,000 guests an evocative tapestry of melody, memory and emotion.
Above Ha Anh Tuan tells stories through song
Above On one side, a voice steeped in memory; on the other, the tender restraint of minimalist piano
Ha Anh Tuan tells stories through song
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When Ha Anh Tuan sang beside Yiruma’s piano, the performance became something else entirely: a moment suspended in time. On one side, a voice steeped in memory; on the other, the tender restraint of minimalist piano—a dialogue spoken in feeling, not words.
Ha Anh Tuan tells stories through song. His voice evokes landscapes, memories, and the sensation of travelling through time. Yiruma, meanwhile, composes wordless journals with his fingers, each note light as a summer shower.
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The value of reunion
This meeting had no need for words. When Yiruma played Dear, Memory, a piece written especially for Ha Anh Tuan, time seemed to pause. There was no orchestra, no layered harmony; only the piano and a voice. And yet, each line fell into the air with profound stillness, stirring something elemental.
Looking back on Ha Anh Tuan’s artistic path, each concert has been carefully considered—not only musically, but in its emotional architecture. This time, Yiruma’s presence brought something new: a dialogue between two musical dialects, two artistic spirits, placed side by side in mutual reverence.
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Above For the audience, it was a night of pure feeling, where words became superfluous, and only the hush of the keys and the lingering voice remained
For the audience, it was a night of pure feeling, where words became superfluous, and only the hush of the keys and the lingering voice remained
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For Yiruma, this may well be an experience he’ll never forget, his piano meeting the soft, poetic inflection of Ha Anh Tuan’s voice. For the audience, it was a night of pure feeling, where words became superfluous, and only the hush of the keys and the lingering voice remained.
Sketch A Rose in Saigon – An unforgettable stage
The stage appeared as a giant canvas, walls draped with thousands of soft, winding roses bathed in ethereal light. At its heart, a single radiant bloom shone, proud yet gentle, embodying the spirit of Sketch A Rose. Every aspect of the set was crafted with finesse, turning each performance into a living artwork where sound and vision coalesced, drawing the audience ever deeper into its spell.
Above A concert that transcended language itself
A concert that transcended language itself
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That evening also offered, whether by design or chance, a rare convergence: three generations of Vietnamese singers—Lam Truong, Ha Anh Tuan, and Quang Hung MasterD—shared the stage. Three distinct voices, three eras of music, joining in songs that have transcended time.
A concert that transcended language itself, where music did not require translation, and kindred souls found their connection through shared sound.
Above Sketch A Rose in Saigon closed like the last page of a treasured book
Above This was not merely an evening of music: it was a communion of spirit and artistry
Sketch A Rose in Saigon closed like the last page of a treasured book
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As the final note drifted into silence, Sketch A Rose in Saigon closed like the last page of a treasured book. Yet Ha Anh Tuan, ever the master of longing, left the audience yearning more. He revealed that the Sketch A Rose journey would continue: next stop, the iconic Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, October 2025.
This was not merely an evening of music. It was a communion of spirit and artistry. Ha Anh Tuan told his story in melody, and Yiruma replied with his keys. Among 20,000 guests, each note was not just heard, but deeply felt, and forever remembered.
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