The program took place on the morning of October 16 at the Lao Dong Newspaper Hall, contributing to strengthening the connection between musicians, singers and young audiences. At the same time, it was also an opportunity to exchange and inspire to create more songs praising Ho Chi Minh City - a land full of love and affection.

Enthusiastic response from artists

The song composition campaign "The Country is Full of Joy" was launched by the Lao Dong Newspaper from September 28, 2023 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025). The campaign aims to contribute to educating the nation's historical traditions, pride in the homeland and the Fatherland, promoting the image of the Vietnamese people as united, hospitable and a beautiful Vietnam, steadfast in the face of all challenges.

Attending the 3rd music exchange were journalist Nguyen Tan Phong - Member of the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Journalists Association, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Journalists Association; Mr. Nguyen Minh Hai - Head of the Propaganda, Press and Publishing Department of the City Party Committee's Propaganda Department; Mr. Hoang Viet Cuong - Deputy General Director of Nam A Commercial Joint Stock Bank (Nam A Bank); Ms. Tran Thi Phuong Thao - Executive Director of Van Hien University; musician Truong Quang Luc; singer - Meritorious Artist Mang Thi Hoi; singer - Meritorious Artist Anh Tuyet; singer Nguyen Phi Hung...

Journalist To Dinh Tuan - Editor-in-Chief of Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper, Head of the Steering Committee of the songwriting campaign "The Country is Full of Joy" - said that so far, the Organizing Committee has received nearly 80 songs from nearly 60 musicians, singers, and singing groups from many provinces and cities across the country. The Organizing Committee will select the 20 best works for the final round. The final round will take place in February 2025 and the award ceremony of the campaign is expected to take place in April 2025.

During the period of receiving works and preliminary screening, the Organizing Committee will select a good work to stage and introduce at the 30th Mai Vang Awards Ceremony, scheduled to take place on the evening of January 8, 2025 at the City Theater (HCMC), broadcast live on VTV9 and the platforms of partners as well as Nguoi Lao Dong Online Newspaper.

There have been many good songs about Ho Chi Minh City composed in recent years. However, the public's demand is increasing, requiring more outstanding compositions about Ho Chi Minh City and the "The Country is Full of Joy" song composition campaign organized by the Lao Dong Newspaper aims to meet this demand.

According to journalist To Dinh Tuan, the campaign to compose the song "The Country is Full of Joy" by the Newspaper Nguoi Lao Dong was not only encouraged, directed, and supported by the city's leaders, departments, and branches, but also received enthusiastic responses from artists. "In this campaign, not only musicians and singers who have been attached to and grown up in Ho Chi Minh City, but many musicians and singers born and grown up in other regions but have deep memories of Ho Chi Minh City have also sent their compositions to participate. In particular, some singers confided that they had never composed before, only performed songs sent by musicians, but the campaign with special meaning by the Newspaper Nguoi Lao Dong has inspired many singers to try composing" - journalist To Dinh Tuan informed.

Accordingly, singer-songwriter Dinh Van composed the song "Ho Chi Minh: My City" to submit; singer Nguyen Phi Hung composed the song "The City in Me"; young singer-songwriter Chau Nhat Tin, proud to be a citizen of the city named after Uncle Ho, released the song "Loving the City, Writing a Historical Epic"; singer-songwriter Nguyen Quang Dai was filled with emotion with the song "The City of Love"...

The third exchange program also had the participation of more than 100 students from Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music, Ho Chi Minh City College of Culture and Arts, Ho Chi Minh City University of Theatre and Cinema, and Truong Hung Minh Art Stage. This is an opportunity for musicians and singers to connect with young audiences as well as inspire young audiences to be passionate about music, have a passionate love for Ho Chi Minh City, and through this, they can create their own compositions to respond to the campaign.

At the program, with the consent of the Steering Committee, the Organizing Committee of the campaign announced an additional prize of "The most favorite work of readers" worth 5 million VND. The prize structure of the songwriting campaign "The Country is Full of Joy" includes: 1 first prize worth 100 million VND, 1 second prize worth 50 million VND, 2 third prizes - each worth 30 million VND, 3 consolation prizes - each worth 10 million VND.

Journalist Bui Thanh Liem - Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper, Head of the Organizing Committee of the "Dat Nuoc Tron Niem Vui" song composition campaign - said that the Organizing Committee plans to collect 50 typical songs to print into a collection.

Interesting, emotional

The third music exchange program took place in an interesting and emotional atmosphere with the participation of veteran artists. Singer - Meritorious Artist Anh Tuyet performed impressively the song "Hope Song" composed by musician Van Ky. The performance received many rounds of applause from the audience. Singer - Meritorious Artist Mang Thi Hoi participated in the exchange and shared her emotional memories of receiving gifts from the "Mai Vang Tri An" program in 2023. She brought the performance "Kơ nia tree shadow" - a work composed by musician Phan Huynh Dieu, set to poetry by Ngoc Anh.

"It has been 51 years since the first time I sang the song "Kơ nia tree shadow". I would like to take this opportunity to thank musician Phan Huynh Dieu for the song "Kơ nia tree shadow" that contributed to my reputation" - singer - Meritorious Artist Mang Thi Hoi confided. With the powerful, thick and attractive voice of singer - Meritorious Artist Anh Tuyet, singer - Meritorious Artist Mang Thi Hoi conquered the audience present at the exchange and even her younger colleagues.

Singer Bich Phuong expressed her admiration for her "seniors" and wondered if at their age, female singers could maintain their singing skills. "I will try my best to follow in their footsteps" - singer Bich Phuong said and then also performed the song "Song of the Southern Land" (music: Lu Nhat Vu and poetry: Le Giang) with great charm.

Musician - singer Dinh Van, who participated in the songwriting campaign with the song "Ho Chi Minh: My City", confided: "As a child who grew up and became famous in Ho Chi Minh City, I have seen the changes in the city. After the song "My City" composed by teacher - musician Phan Nhan, I wish to write a song about the city for a new generation. The song I composed is also my love for the city". He played the guitar and sang the song "Ho Chi Minh: My City" with great emotion.

Singer Nguyen Phi Hung stirred up the exchange program with the song "The City in Me" which he composed himself. Nguyen Phi Hung said that Ho Chi Minh City is the place that has given wings to his dreams in his career path. His 24-year journey with Ho Chi Minh City is also the journey that has given wings to his dreams to become reality. He is always grateful because this place has brought him the things he loves in art. "Things from the heart will easily go to the heart. I hope that my colleagues, especially young colleagues, will distill sincere things to bring the audience the most meaningful works" - singer Nguyen Phi Hung confided.

Singer Duong Dinh Tri sang the song "Anh o dau song, em cuoi song" (composed by musician Phan Huynh Dieu, set to Hoai Vu's poem). He is the son of People's Artist Le Thuy, inheriting his mother's sweet, warm voice. In addition, the delegates and guests of the program also enjoyed the performances: "I love Vietnam" composed by Phuong Uyen, performed by singer Dong Quan and the Blue Sky singing group; "Vam Co Dong" by musician Truong Quang Luc, set to Hoai Vu's poem, performed by singer Dong Quan and singer Di Oanh; "Ngay vui thong nhat" by musician Quynh Hop, performed by singer Kim Thoa and singer Manh Cuong; the song "Tu TP HCM mien ve liet su" composed by Hoang Trung Anh - Huy Truong, performed by Hoang Trung Anh - Yen Phuong - Huy Truong. The audience enthusiastically cheered for the artists with loud, long applause.

Van Ta Hong Tinh, a student at Ho Chi Minh City College of Culture and Arts, shared that the third music exchange program was very meaningful. Not only myself, but I believe that the students participating in this exchange will take it as motivation to work as well as contribute to the country's art.

"On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification, many agencies and localities organized creative campaigns, in which the creative campaign of the Lao Dong Newspaper had a special color. I hope that the campaign will have many good and beautiful works that will live forever in the hearts of the audience" - musician Truong Quang Luc hopes.