Singer - Musician Duong Quoc Hung: Thinking about the live show "HCMC 50 radiant springs"

Duong Quoc Hung submitted a heroic melody to the songwriting contest "The Country is Full of Joy".

Reporter: From what emotion did you compose the song "HCMC rises with the country"?

- Singer - musician DUONG QUOC HUNG: The first emotion that made me write the song was the desire to express my feelings and gratitude to Ho Chi Minh City - the place that supported me.

Ho Chi Minh City is constantly developing with many innovations, the city is growing with the strong development of the country. I see that very clearly from the determination to build a civilized, modern, and affectionate city. I want to contribute a small flower in the musical flower garden with a special song written about my second hometown - Ho Chi Minh City is entering an era of growing with the country.

What significance does this song have in your writing and performing career?

- In addition to composing songs with simple themes of love and life, I recently attended a composition training course of the Ho Chi Minh City Music Association, so recently I have had a lot of inspiration to compose different themes: praising the homeland and especially about heroic figures in the history of fighting against foreign invaders... I have completed those songs and will soon introduce them to the audience in the near future. "Ho Chi Minh City rises with the country" was formed from here with constantly sublimating emotions.

Perhaps in the process of singing and composing, I have tried hard to learn, constantly explore, research, and wish to have changes, so I have formed many emotions, so that each composition has its own color. That is a big change in my outlook on life and I find myself having more mature thoughts than before.

Ca sĩ - Nhạc sĩ Dương Quốc Hưng: Nghĩ về live show — Singer - musician Duong Quoc Hung. (Photo provided by the character)

In your opinion, is it too difficult to compose a song with a specific theme, especially about Ho Chi Minh City?

- The most important thing is that when you have ideas and emotions, the melody and lyrics come and flow very quickly. I have written many different topics, but writing songs about Ho Chi Minh City, where I live and work, I have to admit that it is more convenient. Because I have genuine feelings about this land.

With exactly one week left until the deadline, despite my tight schedule, I focused and put all my effort into completing the melody, lyrics, arranging the music, and recording a demo… to submit my work before the deadline. I was probably the last person to submit my work in the campaign.

What is the most unforgettable memory for you when thinking about Ho Chi Minh City?

- The question seems easy but it is actually difficult for me because there are so many unforgettable memories. There are so many unforgettable stories, fateful encounters. There are so many joys as well as sorrows, both successes and failures.

I think maybe someone due to circumstances has to leave the city but this city will never abandon us. This city is like a friend who never leaves me.

You have performed songs about the city, which song do you like best, by which composer?

- I sing many songs about the city, have also composed songs about the city and have performed on many big stages of the city. Each song has its own beauty but the song I think of right now is "Starry City Night" by musician Tran Long An, because the lyrics of the song have touched my heart.

To promote songs written about Ho Chi Minh City, what do you suggest to the organizers after the results of the songwriting campaign with the theme "A Country Full of Joy"?

- I am imagining a live show called "HCMC 50 radiant springs" organized by the Lao Dong Newspaper, staged grandly at Nguyen Hue walking street, to strongly spread the song writing campaign with the theme "The country is full of joy". In this live show, the Organizing Committee can create short videos of the city's scenery, beautifully filmed with lyrics from the new song and processed with AI technology and encouraged to share and like on personal pages, which will certainly have a great spread.

In addition, I hope the Organizing Committee will have programs to introduce 1 to 2 authors with good works to universities, colleges... to spread new songs written about the city to students and audiences nationwide.

What do you expect from the songwriting campaign "A Country Full of Joy"?

- I hope that through the campaign, there will be many new authors who are passionate, creative and have many new, good, quality songs written about the city's innovation and dynamism while still preserving and promoting traditions and history... From there, spreading and promoting the image of the country and people of Vietnam to friends around the world.

The songwriting campaign "The Country is Full of Joy" was organized by the Lao Dong Newspaper to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025). The Organizing Committee received more than 160 songs from 144 musicians, singers, and singing groups. The Jury is currently evaluating to select the 20 best works for the final round which will take place in February 2025 and the award ceremony of the campaign is expected to take place in April 2025.

The Organizing Committee has posted the works on the social networking platforms of the Lao Dong Newspaper to introduce and promote...