Ho Chi Minh City is like a second home for...

Reporter: When were these two songs created, and where did the inspiration come from?

Singer Nguyen Phi Hung interacts at the "Celebrating Vietnamese Coffee and Tea" Festival 2024, held at the end of March 2024 and organized by Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper (Photo: HOANG TRIEU)

- Singer Nguyen Phi Hung: Ho Chi Minh City and the southern region of Vietnam have always been subjects that evoke many emotions in Hung. 26 years is a journey for someone born and raised here, and it's also the amount of time Hung has dedicated to his passion and artistic dreams. For Hung, the city is like his second home. The feeling is precisely "the further away, the more I miss it; the closer I am, the more I love it." This time, Hung is sending two songs, "Proud of Ho Chi Minh City" and "Greetings to the City on 50 Springs," which are his two most recent compositions about the city, written because he has come to appreciate its meaningful aspects.

Which song do you have a particular fondness for? Why?

- The song "Greetings to the City's 50th Spring" is a song that Hung has a lot of affection for because of the event celebrating the city's 50th anniversary in 2025. A journey of development towards a civilized, modern, compassionate, and integrated city.

Singer Nguyen Phi Hung is very fond of the song "Greetings to the city celebrating 50 springs". Photo: Provided by the artist.

As a veteran singer, he has recently started composing more songs. What are the strengths and weaknesses of a singer who also composes?

- Songwriting is also a way for Hung to accumulate emotions from his daily experiences. For him, writing songs is a way to share and contribute more. Hung doesn't consider himself a professional musician, so he doesn't feel any pressure. He writes based on his personal feelings and real-life experiences. Even so, he is always conscious of learning and accumulating experience from the songwriting skills of those who came before him, exploring different musical genres and song development techniques.

A Northerner like you must have very deep feelings for Ho Chi Minh City to be able to write songs about the city like this?

- "City" is a beloved word that Hung cherishes like the air he breathes every day, always giving him inspiration and positive energy. Hung loves every street, every corner of this city. Everywhere he goes, he feels the genuine, open smiles of the city's people. That feeling has made him feel a long-time familiarity and is also the goal he strives for in his daily life: to live with love and share, just as the city is and continues to spread goodness.

These are two of the rare songs about cities among your compositions, aren't they?

- This isn't the first time Hung has written about Ho Chi Minh City. Before this, Hung had songs like "The City in My Heart," "There's a Saigon Like That," and "Saigon Sends Its Love"... What makes Hung happiest is that in many events in his city, his songs have been chosen to be performed, and have received a lot of love from the audience.

Everyone born and raised in Ho Chi Minh City is thrilled about the upcoming event, witnessing the city's transformation in every aspect. But what about you, someone who has chosen Ho Chi Minh City as your second home?

- Hung is also eagerly anticipating the major holidays. The city always has unique cultural and artistic activities, blending in with the shared joy of the city's people. Hung believes there will be even more outstanding cultural and artistic achievements and meaningful activities in the city during this time. At that time, he will also have the opportunity to contribute to the national and Ho Chi Minh City celebrations, just as he has been doing for many years.

You need to experience pain and suffering to write good music and sing with emotion. Do you agree with this point of view?

- Hung believes that peace of mind is essential for empathizing with a wide range of emotions. This allows the singer to more easily immerse themselves in those feelings and better express their songs. Hung thinks that grief can sometimes drain one's energy and spirit. For him, music is a way for people to find positivity and optimism. Music helps spread love and connect people.

"Keep working diligently with the energy of youth, just like from the beginning. No matter what stage you're in, always remind yourself to strive for self-improvement to reciprocate the love and support of your audience. In Hung's dictionary, there are no words like 'star' or 'status'... only effort and dedication," singer Nguyen Phi Hung confided.

The songwriting contest "The Nation's Complete Joy," organized by the Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper, aims to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the complete liberation of Southern Vietnam and national reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025). The organizing committee will select 20 outstanding works for the final round. The final round will take place in February 2025. During the submission and preliminary screening period, the organizing committee will select the best works to be staged and presented at the 30th Mai Vang Awards Ceremony (around January 2025). Simultaneously, the organizing committee will also share the works on the newspaper's social media platforms to introduce them to the community.

Each author may submit a maximum of 3 works. Submitted works must include both the music and Vietnamese lyrics, along with a CD recording of the song or an MP3/MP4 file. Entries must be original works, not previously published in any form, and free from copyright disputes. The organizing committee will not consider or judge works that copy or imitate the ideas, melodies, or lyrics of other authors, both domestic and international.

The awards ceremony will take place in April 2025. The prize structure includes 1 first prize (100 million VND), 1 second prize (50 million VND), 2 third prizes (30 million VND each), and 3 consolation prizes (10 million VND each).

Submission location:

- Events and Brand Development Department of Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper. Address: 123 - 127 Vo Van Tan, Vo Thi Sau Ward, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Phone: (028) 39301820; Email: cuocthistcknld@gmail.com.

- Submission methods: Submit in person; by mail ; or by email.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/ca-si-nguyen-phi-hung-tp-hcm-nhu-la-que-huong-thu-hai-cua-toi-196240413215905543.htm