On the afternoon of June 18, a thunderstorm with strong winds suddenly swept through the central area of Hue City, causing the stage serving the closing night of Hue International Music Week 2026 to collapse and damage many important items.
The incident happened right before the performance, making the closing ceremony unable to take place as planned, leaving much regret for the organizers, artists and thousands of people and tourists waiting for the music night.
At the scene, the stage structure frame was knocked down by the tornado, the LED screen system, sound, lighting and many technical equipment serving the performance were damaged. Immediately after the weather stabilized, functional forces and organizing units quickly deployed clearance, damage inspection and consequence remediation.
The closing music night is considered the final highlight of Hue International Music Week 2026, expected to have the participation of singer Mono and singer Nguyen Dinh Tuan Dung, serving people and tourists for free in the space on the banks of the Perfume River.
Notably, this is not the first time large-scale art stages in the Perfume River area have been affected by weather factors. Previously, in June 2025, due to the impact of storm No. 1, the water level of the Perfume River rose, approaching the floating stage area on the river to serve the Miss Vietnam final night.
Faced with the risk of floodwaters and strong currents causing unsafety, the program had to be postponed, and military forces were mobilized to support moving many stage equipment to safe places.
The choice of performance space on the Perfume River creates a special highlight, bringing a unique artistic experience amidst the poetic landscape of the Ancient Capital. However, the location of the stage floating on the water or close to the riverbank also makes this temporary structure directly affected by extreme weather factors such as heavy rain, strong winds, tornadoes or changes in water level.
I have arranged my schedule to stay in Hue for another night just hoping to enjoy the closing ceremony, especially the performances of young artists. The unexpected weather prevented the program from taking place, everyone was sad" - Ms. Thanh Trang (a tourist from Gia Lai) shared.
Although it could not close with a closing music night as expected, Hue International Music Week 2026 taking place from June 13 to 18 still left many impressions in the hearts of the public. The series of free art programs by the Perfume River brought audiences to diverse musical colors, from V-pop, K-pop, J-pop, Pop Alternative to Flamenco and many modern international performance trends.
Throughout the performances, thousands of audiences came to immerse themselves in an open art space, where music transcends language boundaries to connect cultures. The intersection between traditional and contemporary art, along with the dedication of domestic and international artists, has contributed to creating an emotional festival season.
