Watching the city change, writing a good song

For him, the song "My City - continue writing the song to come" is not only a contribution but also a thank you to the second homeland in his life.

Reporter: Can you share the inspiration for composing this song?

- Singer HUYNH LOI: I was not born and raised here but studied for 8 years at the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music. Living and working in Ho Chi Minh City for 28 years is enough for me to feel that Ho Chi Minh City has changed after 50 years of the complete liberation of the South, the unification of the country, turning the difficult into the easy, erasing the dilapidated into the spacious... and many other things. So there is no reason for me not to do something, even the smallest thing, to thank everyone, to thank this life. That is why the song "My City - Continuing the Song of Progress" was born, although I am not a professional composer, just a singer.

Singer Huynh Loi. (Photo provided by the character)

What does participating in the songwriting campaign "A Country Full of Joy" mean to you?

- I can only emphasize that "This is something that should be done together, whatever is useful we should do, whatever is positive we should boldly do". I feel that this is also an opportunity for many musicians to speak their minds to this city.

I am very happy to see that the current generation of young singers are increasingly improving their professional level. Young singers know how to apply the best of modern world music to Vietnamese music but still retain the essence and soul of Vietnamese music.

What is the meaning of the song "My City - Continue Writing the Song of Progress"? What message do you want to convey through it?

- First of all, I would like to thank the Organizing Committee of the contest for giving me the opportunity to challenge myself in the field of composition. The main message I wrote in the song is that we must remember that "There is yesterday, there is today, there is today, we must be responsible for tomorrow". This is also what I always teach my children and siblings in life.

Another message in the song is "What our ancestors fell to regain independence and freedom, we must remember. What the social classes have built, we must always cultivate to make it more and more beautiful. And let's join hands with friends, brothers from all over the country and even those who are far away to continue writing the song to build this city, this homeland to become brighter and brighter".

Song "HCMC - continue writing the song of moving forward"

The song "My City - continue writing the song to come" by singer Huynh Loi was submitted to the campaign to compose a song with the theme "The Country is Full of Joy"

You must have witnessed changes in life, in the period of national renewal. Will that precious material become the lyrics in your next works?

- Life experience and contemplation are precious, they are like luggage for us to continue writing the song of our life.

Do you believe that your work will win the "A Country Full of Joy" contest?

- All 100 contestants hope to win, and so do I. My experience in this field is not extensive enough to confirm my creative style, so my dream of only winning small awards is precious, the important thing is that the work is accepted by the audience.

How do you want your songs to be promoted to reach today's young audience?

- Promoting the work is necessary and there are many ways to promote it. I think the Organizing Committee has its own way of doing this. As for me, I will create a work with a harmony that is close to the youth, suitable for the breath of the times.

You were once a famous singer, winning a high prize in the "Voice of Television" contest in the 80s of the last century. You clearly feel the change in the Vietnamese music market, what is that change to you?

- The openness of all aspects of society has created a step forward for Vietnamese music, people's lives cannot be without music. Currently, the level of enjoyment of the audience has been raised, forcing artists to know how to apply new things of world music to Vietnamese music, and to always create new, positive images for themselves every time they appear.

To be fair, today's youth are very good, sensitive to the world around them, and find new points to appeal to public tastes.

Not only singing well but also composing, how do you want to shape your style with the audience?

- I don't dare to claim to be a good singer, I just hope that every time I sing, I can get the audience to sympathize with me, that's enough happiness. I have many ambitions but I have to choose what suits my ability. Maybe composing will be the first choice on the 50th anniversary of the complete liberation of the South and the reunification of the country, but even if I compose, I'm still "singer Huynh Loi". Singing is still my main profession, "singer - musician" is just an extension.

How can a singer from the previous generation like you reach the current young audience? Have you thought about this?

- While working and teaching, I always send the message to the younger generation and my students: "You must study to have a foundation, and with a foundation you will have a perspective on current issues, from which creative thinking is always controlled and effective." It is the constant learning and exploration that has helped me not be unfamiliar with today's music but also enjoy and feel the beauty in the music of young people.

How is singer Huynh Loi now after decades of fame? Does he still perform and maintain the same passion for music as when he first started his career?

- My current job, like many other singers, is to still sing and practice hard to keep my live singing quality intact. I still teach singing and record every day at my workplace (Ho Chi Minh City Center for Performing Arts and Cinema).

The economy is currently in a difficult period, so artists are also facing difficulties, but being able to stand on stage is already a blessing. I feel my passion growing every day because besides myself, I also have the responsibility to pass on the torch to the next generation.

If you were to talk about one personal wish for Vietnamese music, what would it be?

- I wish Vietnamese music would be known to friends all over the world and have high value so that Vietnamese singers and musicians can have influence in the international music market. More and more singers will bring Vietnamese music to large-scale festivals and exchanges at home and abroad.

Vietnamese music will grow even stronger in the future. I believe there will be a next generation that will take bold steps, thereby raising the image of Vietnamese music to the world.

The songwriting campaign "The Country is Full of Joy" is organized by the Lao Dong Newspaper to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the complete liberation of the South and national reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025). The Organizing Committee will select the 20 best works for the final round. The final round will take place in February 2025. During the time of receiving works and preliminary screening, the Organizing Committee will select good works to stage and introduce at the 30th Mai Vang Award ceremony of the Lao Dong Newspaper (around January 2025). At the same time, the Organizing Committee will also post the works on the social networking platform of the Lao Dong Newspaper to introduce to the community.

The award ceremony will take place in April 2025. The total prize of the campaign is worth 240 million VND, of which the first prize is 100 million VND.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/ca-si-huynh-loi-nhin-thanh-pho-doi-thay-viet-nen-ca-khuc-hay-196240224195618749.htm