Oefening en Uitspanning Band from The Netherlands will soon depart for a memorable concert tour of Vietnam.

The band will leave on February 24th for what they hope will be an unforgettable musical journey — one that started over a year ago when one of the Dutch First Division band's trombone players, Jan van den Broek, was on a business trip in the country.

Mutual understanding

During dinner one evening with a business partner, Jan found out that they were a member on the board of the Netherlands — Vietnam Friendship & Cooperation Association, which works to foster mutual understanding and friendship between the people of the two countries.

Soon, what was a friendly conversation about Jan's hobby, turned into a concrete proposal to help strengthen musical ties.

Since then a great deal of hard work has been undertaken to seek sponsors, plan logistics and programmes, visas and vaccinations, with the band now ready for take-off.

Hard work rewarded

A spokesperson told 4BR: "All this hard work will surely be rewarded. Brass band Oefening en Uitspanning will have a busy but unforgettable week. We have a Gala Concert in the Opera House of Hai Phong as well as an open air concert in the city.

We will also visit the international school and organise workshops — one at the renowned Academy of Music of Hanoi where, incidentally, they have never heard a brass band perform. Our tour will conclude with a concert in the magnificent concert hall of the Academy."

All this hard work will surely be rewarded. Brass band Oefening en Uitspanning will have a busy but unforgettable weekBand spokesperson

Busy trip

They added: "It is going to be a very busy trip, but we will also have time to relax and a visit to Ha Long Bay is planned which is said to be a real must see!"

For more information on the band's trip go to: www.oefeningenuitspanning.nl