"I’m a big fan of Vietnamese food," the Irish artist told. "I’m looking forward [to trying Vietnamese food during my stay in Vietnam]."

Singer Ronan Keating.

Ronan Keating came to Vietnam to perform at the HAY Glamping Music Festival in Hanoi from Sept. 29-30. This was the artist’s third time performing in Vietnam, following his 2009 performance in Hanoi and 2010 performance in the coastal town of Nha Trang.

Having visited Vietnam many times, Keating has always been given a positive impression not only of local cuisine but also of local people’s hospitality.

"They [Vietnamese fans] welcomed me with open arms," he said. "They knew my music, they knew my songs, and I think that’s crazy. We live thousands of miles apart, and yet you know my music and my songs."

That made Keating reminded of how powerful and beautiful music is, in the sense that it can connect people all around the world, he said.

As the former leader of the Irish boy band Boyzone, Keating said one of his regrets was not being able to bring his bandmates to Vietnam to perform as a whole group.

Consequently, he decided to perform some of the group’s songs alongside his solo songs - including "Life Is a Rollercoaster," "Lovin’ Each Day," and "When You Say Nothing At All" - at the festival as his way to partially compensate for what his group was unable to do, according to Keating.

He added that he knew the songs were in high demand on Vietnamese radio.

Making his debut in 1993 in the group Boyzone, Keating began as a solo singer in 1999. He gained worldwide recognition when his single "When You Say Nothing At All" was featured in the hit movie "Notting Hill."

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Source: VnExpress