Musician Le Ba Thuong: Proud to be Vietnamese

* Reporter: What emotions inspired you to compose this song?

- Musician LE BA THUONG: Despite years of war and difficult days of building the country, we Vietnamese people still unite together to overcome to have today. These things inspired me to compose the song "Proud to be Vietnamese".

* When it comes to Ho Chi Minh City, what is the most unforgettable memory for you?

- I was born and raised in Ho Chi Minh City, so this place has been associated with many happy and sad memories for me. The most memorable are the memories of my time in white shirts with many dreams and enthusiasm of youth. I still remember when I was a student at Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics (1995-1999) participating in the "Green Summer" program. These social work trips helped me have memorable life experiences.

I also witnessed the changes and developments of Ho Chi Minh City; saw the image of the city's people living an increasingly prosperous and happy life in peace.

Nhạc sĩ Lê Bá Thường. (Ảnh do nhân vật cung cấp) — Musician Le Ba Thuong. (Photo provided by the character)

* To compose a good song with a theme, what should we pay attention to, sir?

- The key to a good song is the musician's feelings about the subject he wants to express. The subject must touch the audience's emotions, and if the audience likes it, it will become a good song.

* In your opinion, what should be done to make the works participating in the songwriting campaign "The Country is Full of Joy" organized by Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper spread more widely?

- Recently, with the spread of the media, the campaign to compose the theme song "The Country is Full of Joy" has received attention from society. I believe that in the coming time, the songs participating in this campaign will be warmly received by the audience.

Besides, it is necessary to increase the organization of performances and popularize the songs on television, radio, in schools... Then, more people will know the songs "The Country is Full of Joy".

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* As a musician, what do you expect from the cultural and artistic field when Ho Chi Minh City enters 2025 with memorable milestones?

- Like many other musicians, I hope that the country will develop more and more, the people will be rich and the country will be strong. In particular, the cultural and artistic fields of the country in general and Ho Chi Minh City in particular will integrate with the development of the world. People will enjoy many good and valuable cultural and artistic products.

* How do you feel about receiving the award for "Most Favorite Work from Readers?"

- I am very happy and honored to know that my song was voted "Most favorite work by readers".

On this occasion, I would like to thank the leaders of the Lao Dong Newspaper for creating this musical playground for musicians to spread their works to listeners. I also send my sincere thanks to all readers who have listened, loved and voted for the songs I composed, giving me the opportunity to share my feelings today.

The campaign to compose the theme song "The Country is Full of Joy" was launched on September 25, 2023. By December 30, 2024, the Organizing Committee had received 166 entries from 122 authors, of which 110 authors with 143 eligible entries entered the preliminary round. After the preliminary round, the Organizing Committee selected the 20 entries with the highest scores for the final round (February 2025).

As a result, there was no first prize. The two second prizes went to the works "Singing about the city I love" by musician Tran Xuan Mai Tram and "Following the sacred will" by musician Nguyen Van Chung. The two third prizes went to the works "City of Smiles" by musician and singer Huynh Huu Duc and "HCMC 50 years of sharing a joy" by musician Nguyen Duy Khoi.

The three consolation prizes were "City connecting bridges" by musician Ngo Duy Thanh, "City forever in our hearts" by musician Pham Hoang Long and "Crystallization of 50-year journey" by musician Huynh Loi.

The award for "Most Favorite Work by Readers" is the song "Proud to be Vietnamese" by musician Le Ba Thuong.