Promoting diversity: ASEAN Pride will present Viet Nam's very own high-heel dance troupe for a special performance. — Photo cama-atk.com

HA NOI  (VNS) — After its successful debut last year with over 2,000 attendees, the ASEAN Music Festival returns to Ha Noi, promising to be one of the largest musical event in the city.

While the last year's concert, Artwork is Work, was held to raise awareness about intellectual property right, this year it is held to honour ASEAN Pride, as it has been named "ASEAN Pride – Celebrating Diversity".

The issues this year are awareness of ethnic, sexual and gender discrimination – issues that are important to many expatriates, Vietnamese and other ASEAN nationals, whom the festival is hoping to attract.

The festival also celebrates diversity in all forms, from LGBT rights to supporting the cultural vibrancy across ASEAN countries. As the press release revealed, these rights are an "affirmation of fundamental freedoms – people taking pride in who they are, no matter what their sexual orientation or gender identity is."

Aiming to bring people to a diverse, daylong event featuring artists from around the ASEAN region, the rock ‘n' roll concert will feature bands from the ASEAN countries as well as art and community groups in Ha Noi.

Music bands Protocol Afro from Indonesia, Big Bag from Myanmar and The Pinholes from Singapore will perform during the day.

The groups Stylish Nonsense, DCNXTR and Nok La Fiesta are from Thailand.

Two Ha Noi-based bands Re-cycle and Tank 27 will also hit the stage at the festival.

Especially, the High-heeled Dance Troupe featuring five youngsters, who competed at the Got to Dance Viet Nam 2013, will exhibit some of the creative diversity ASEAN Pride.

The festival will also feature a creative arts market run by the Ha Noi Flea Market – a section for artists – and a children's play area. Alongside live music performances, attendees can also enjoy food and beverage throughout the day and night, in an outdoor setting.

Co-organised by the United States Embassy in Ha Noi and CAMA Viet Nam, the second ASEAN Music Festival will take place at the American Club, 19 Hai Ba Trung Street, today from 1pm until midnight.

Free tickets will be given to ASEAN nationals. You can collect tickets from CAMA ATK, 73A Mai Hac De Street, The Closet, 1 Cua Dong Street and The American Club, 19 Hai Ba Trung Street. Passport or ID is required for verification at the entrance.

For everyone else, advance tickets priced at VND320,000 are available at CAMA ATK. Tickets at the gate are priced at VND400,000. — VNS