Swedish band takes Vietnamese audiences back to 1980s with ABBA’s songs

In just two hours, the band sang many hits of ABBA such as “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!,” and “Money, Money, Money.”

ARRIVAL from Sweden’s members are charming in the traditional long dress Ao dai of Vietnam.

Before their performance, at the August Revolution Square in front of the Hanoi Opera House, the band met and exchanged with the Vietnam Ao Dai Heritage Club under the Fund for the Preservation of Vietnam Cultural Heritage, during which they were presented with Ao dai. They were excited when being introduced to the traditional long dress of Vietnamese women and agreed to wear Ao dai while singing.

Nguyen Thi Thanh Lam, head of the club, said that the “music of ABBA” evening of the band was an opportunity to popularize and spread the beauty and traditional value of Vietnamese Ao dai among Vietnamese and international friends. She informed that in September this year, the club teamed with Vietnamese embassies in Europe to establish Ao dai heritage clubs, including one in Sweden.

Before Hanoi, the Swedish band had concerts in Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and Ninh Binh.

ARRIVAL from Sweden’s performances evoke memories of thousands of Hanoi audiences.

Flowers presented to the Swedish band

According to composer Giang Son, ABBA’s music was part of the youth of many older generations and has become a source of inspiration for many youths now. Thus, many felt happy living in ABBA’s music. Regarding the wearing of Ao dai in the show, composer Giang Son said that Swedish artists understood Vietnam’s culture and its Ao dai. So wearing Ao dai in the last song “Dancing Queen” was seen as a lovely goodbye of the artists to the audiences.

The four-member Swedish band ABBA was renowned globally in 1980s. To date, this band remains a legendary band with a number of fans. Many bands in the world have covered their songs and ARRIVAL from Sweden is the only band recognized by Sweden for inheriting ABBA.

ARRIVAL from Sweden has toured over 70 countries from all over the world. This year alone, the band has had 80 shows. “The music of ABBA” tour in Vietnam was among activities to mark the 55th anniversary of Vietnam-Sweden diplomatic ties.

Translated by Mai Huong