Looking back at history from Ho Chi Minh City.

* Reporter: As a young singing group specializing in composing songs for school stages, where did you get the idea to write this song?

- HOANG TRUNG ANH: As young people who grew up in Ho Chi Minh City, we understand that the country's current position is thanks to the immense contributions and sacrifices of previous generations. Therefore, we, the younger generation, want to contribute something on this important national event. It's fortunate that the Nguoi Lao Dong newspaper organized a songwriting contest titled "The Country's Complete Joy," so we participated.

HOÀNG TRUNG ANH — HOANG TRUNG ANH (Photo provided by the subject)

- HUY TRUONG: We chose the Rap genre to write the song "Looking Back at History from Ho Chi Minh City". This song also features collaboration with Zeo Music (real name Dan Huy) who composed the arrangement.

HUY TRƯƠNG — HUY TRUONG (Photo provided by the subject)

* In these sacred moments that further foster pride in our country's history, which aspect would you choose to include in the song? Why?

- HOANG TRUNG ANH: The glorious history of the Vietnamese nation with dynasties such as Dinh, Ly, Tran, Le... We review each dynasty to remind the younger generation that we must not forget the gratitude we owe to our ancestors.

- HUY TRUONG: Uncle Ho taught: "Our people must know our history, to understand the origins of our Vietnamese nation," and we have expressed this in the song "Looking at History from Ho Chi Minh City."

* Why did you two choose the rap genre to write the song "Looking Back at History from Ho Chi Minh City"?

- HOANG TRUNG ANH: I used to participate in school stages, performing rap songs such as "Rap Nha Moc," "Du Xuan Ba Mien," and "Dong Mau Lac Hong"... I also composed the song "Go and Live," which included a rap part, and it was very enthusiastically received by students. That was the motivation for us to compose "Looking at History from Ho Chi Minh City."

- HUY TRUONG: Besides composing rap and songs, we also perform plays. We've been mentored and taught by teachers like People's Artist Hong Van, Meritorious Artist Huu Chau, and artist Huu Nghia... We've been fortunate to perform in many historical plays such as "Queen Mother Duong Van Nga," "Tu Duc Offering the Whip," and "Tran Quoc Toan Leading the Army"... Through these, we've gained a better understanding of Vietnamese history, and these experiences have been incorporated into the song "Looking Back at History from Ho Chi Minh City."

* Do you think young writers will be interested in this campaign and will create more new works reflecting the life of Ho Chi Minh City?

- HOANG TRUNG ANH: This songwriting campaign is a great gift for us young songwriters. We have composed from a youthful perspective, transforming our feelings of appreciation and admiration into melodies and rap lyrics, in a new form to easily convey them to our peers.

- HUY TRUONG: I think the campaign will receive many positive signals, many good musical messages and writings about Ho Chi Minh City.

The songwriting contest "The Nation's Complete Joy," organized by the Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper, aims to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of Southern Vietnam and the reunification of the country (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025). The organizing committee will select 20 outstanding works for the final round. The final round is expected to 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.