Weekend Getaway with #THATCAMP 2015
#THATCAMP – the music camping festival under the theme “bao cấp” (Vietnamese Subsidy) – took place from 11/9 to 13/9/2015 on My Hill Campsite, Son Soc, Hanoi, with the participation of local and foreign youngsters. The camp was a nice weekend getaway, way away from the noise and dust of the city life, bringing the campers back to nature to enjoy some rustic, suburban fresh air.
With the idea of recreating the living conditions of the unforgettable subsidy period, #THATCAMP was a playground, a camp, and a music festival rolled into one, mixing nostalgia and quirky modernity.
At #THATCAMP, the youngsters could take part in lots of “nostalgic” activities such as owning their own “rice book” (an old Vietnamese thing that used to be the only means by which families could get rice each month), exchanging stamps for drinks,… or better yet: outdoor movie screening, huge version of Jenga, or relaxing on a huge hammock with your buddies.
Especially the cozy campfire when, despite a sudden electrical blackout, an “amateur” singer still sang his heart out with a guitar and a warm voice full of passion…
…or the unprofessional “concert” that birthed silky melodies, charming all campers in the chilling atmosphere.
…or the spectacular fire dances, so skillful you couldn’t take your eyes off the performers who continuously painted beautiful lines and shapes from fire.
Famous Vietnamese singers and musicians were invited to perform at the camp, namely JGKid from Da Lab band, 1990’s Band, Ngọt band, and DJ Dinh Bach,…
According to the organizers, the number of registered participants reached 150 but couldn’t maintain till the end because of different coming/leaving schedules. Also, it was rather challenging to hold team-building activities that cover all campers, because despite being considered an ideal campsite for youngsters, My Hill lacked space for large-group activities. That was something to be taken into account in preparation for the next #THATCAMP festival.
It’s not difficult to recognize the differences in scale and types of participants between #THATCAMP and Quest – another music camp that has been enjoying a rising popularity among Hanoian youth. However, #THATCAMP did give the youngsters an opportunity to “get away” from the daily stress and worries, to come back to nature, meet new people with different nationalities and learn some of useful skills.
Words and photos by Hanoi Grapevine.
