What was believed to be a rumor months back just brought shrieks of glee to music lovers who share passion for influential music and who have long wished to see the legendary rock icon Bob Dylan perform live in Vietnam soil. The American singer-songwriter popular for creating songs that stir public awareness on world issues sang live before a half-empty RMIT campus in Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday,
following two unprovocative performances in China.

Half of the country's 87 million population are under 30. With Bob Dylan not that popular with the younger generation, and with tickets priced at more than the average Vietnamese monthly wage, around half of the tickets distributed were returned unsold. The audience who came, among those are expats and high wage earners, were in modern-day get ups, creating a stylish Western scene. Everything
was overpriced, from drinks to pizza and chips. But the audience remained enthusiastic throughout the evening, screaming and singing along popular song and the preceding medley of tunes by the late Trinh Cong Son, accompanied by powerful saxophone riffs.

Despite the entertainment, a few things were noted by strong observers. To the dismay of human rights groups, Dylan has steered away from addressing political issues since touring around Asia. With a history of communicating a message of freedom and hope, his actions were of a disappointment to some concerned. Dylan’s public relations staff requested that all guests, including VIPs, sit on the grass, the lines between the pricey VIP ticket (sold at $150) and the masses was clear and separated by a fence. Swaying at a Dylan concert seated at a table being plied with food and drink was just a tad inconsistent with his philosophy of equality.

Many agree that, Dylan’s show, was generally far from a sellout. For those who spent for concert tickets, it was worth seeing a legend whose words and poetry continue to resonate decades after being written. Dylan's tour continues with a performance in Hong Kong on Tuesday. He will then travel to Singapore and Australia.