Vietnamese pride resonate through vibrant melodies
Ngo Dieu Chi, a student at the University of Commerce, followed each performance of “Homeland in Our Hearts” concert, which was jointly organised by Nhan Dan Newspaper and the Ha Noi Municipal People’s Committee, with rapt attention.
She shared that her first feelings were deep pride and overwhelming emotion. “The concert awakened in me the spirit of patriotism, love for fatherland, and profound gratitude to the generations who sacrificed to defend the country. Enjoying the show with my family made the moment even more meaningful,” Chi said.
Among the many performances, Dieu Chi was especially impressed by the medley “Nam an hem tren mot chiec xe tang” (Five Brothers on a Tank” – “Tien ve Sai Gon” (Marching to Saigon) performed by the Oplus group and Meritorious Artist Dang Duong. She said the heroic lyrics, combined with powerful and spirited vocals, vividly evoked the resilient fighting spirit and joy of national reunification. She also mentioned the song “Khat vong tuoi tre” (The aspiration of the Youth” sung by Tung Duong, which she felt “delivered strong inspiration, urging the younger generation to devote.”
The student expressed her hope that Nhan Dan Newspaper would continue to maintain and expand programmes like “Homeland in Our Hearts”, contributing to preserving immortal revolutionary songs while introducing new works that bridge the nation’s traditions with the vibrant spirit of today’s youth.
For Ngo Thu Huong, 23, from Hoang Mai Ward, Ha Noi, the word “homeland” immediately evokes images of her roots and a deep reminder in her heart: “I am Vietnamese”.
“Music is one of the most intimate and moving ways to touch the human soul. It is also the ‘bond’ that unites patriots and connects generations. For our younger generation, it gives us a deeper understanding of the nation’s arduous yet heroic struggles,” Thu Huong said.
In her view, revolutionary songs were given a fresh look in an approachable, lively, and modern manner. Thanks to that, more and more young people are drawn to these epic songs about the nation’s history.
Sharing the same spirit, she said she felt “fortunate, proud, and moved to be immersed in such a meaningful artistic space.” She added that she could clearly sense “the love for the homeland in every person in the stands” when tens of thousands of voices joined the singers in proud unison as Vietnamese.
When asked which performance impressed her most, Thuy said it was “truly hard to choose” because each one was grand, heartfelt, and delivered a powerful message about national solidarity.
“Each song is like a bridge connecting the past, present, and future; it reflects the nation’s shape, and the blood and bones that give Viet Nam its full joy,” she said. She especially appreciated the combination of artistic performances with ceremonial displays by soldiers: “It was truly wonderful.”
She expressed her hope that Nhan Dan Newspaper would continue organising meaningful and large-scale artistic programmes like “Homeland in Our Hearts”, to spread Viet Nam’s cultural values and spirit to the wider public.
An emotional journey through every performance
The second highlight of the “Homeland in Our Hearts” concert was the appearance of 68 cadets from the Army Officer Training School No.1, who previously represented the Viet Nam People’s Army at the Victory Day Parade on Moscow’s Red Square, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the triumph in the Great Patriotic War (May 9, 1945 – 2025).
Pham Thi Kim Oanh, from Tam Diep Ward, Ninh Binh Province, proudly watched her son, Nguyen Trung Duc (born 2006), along with his fellow cadets from the Army Officer Training School No.1, recreate a spirited military parade to the music of “Tien buoc duoi quan ky” (Marching under the military flag) on the concert stage.
Oanh had travelled from Ninh Binh to Ha Noi that afternoon to meet her son before his performance. She shared that before attending, she had not expected the concert to be so grand and emotionally charged. “There were moments when I had goosebumps. And sitting with my son to enjoy the music - there is no greater happiness,” she said.
Among the audience was Luong Quynh Phuong, 63, from Cua Nam Ward, Ha Noi, who could not hold back her emotions. “I was born during the war and grew up amidst bombs and gunfire. In the 1960s–1970s, our whole family fled from enemy attacks, seeking safe shelter,” she recalled.
Because of that, peace is especially precious to those who lived through wartime. “Peace, for us, is priceless. For our children and grandchildren to live under today’s blue sky, a generation of forefathers shed blood and willingly sacrificed their lives for the independence of the Fatherland,” she said, eyes brimming with tears at the word “peace.”
For her, the moment of singing the national anthem was deeply moving: “I am proud to be Vietnamese.”
Attending with excitement and anticipation, Le Huy Tung, an 11th-grade student at Nguyen Thi Minh Khai High School, said: “I was impressed by the song “Duong len phia truoc” (The Road ahead). The programme was a harmonious blend of excellent performances, sound, and lighting — everything came together to create a concert that truly inspired young people.”
Attending a live broadcast at My Dinh National Stadium for the first time, Thu said he was surprised that the programme gave him “the fullest sense of pride and emotion for the glorious historical moments of the nation.”
He shared that he had known the song “Len Dang” (On the Way) since childhood, but this performance filled the stadium with such powerful energy. “It was like the energy of the entire nation, igniting the hearts of Vietnamese people — both during wartime and today, as the country strides forward in development,” he said.
Thu expressed his hope that Nhan Dan Newspaper would continue to organise such large-scale and meaningful art programmes in the coming years.
For Senior Lieutenant Vu Manh Tien, a member of Rescue Team 28, Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department, Ha Noi Police, part of the security detail for the event, the melodies brought waves of emotion: “As a Vietnamese and as a soldier, the music reignited my fervent desire to contribute and devote my strength to the nation.”
“As soon as we received the mission to ensure safety and security for the event, our force prepared thoroughly,” he added.
