Honoring the beauty of heroic lands with music

On August 25, in Hanoi , VietNamNet Newspaper held a press conference to inform about the National Concert program "What remains forever" 2025. This is an annual art program organized by VietNamNet Newspaper on National Day, since 2009. Instead of taking place at the Opera House as usual, "What remains forever" 2025 will take place at Ho Guom Theater.

Sharing at the press conference, Deputy Minister of Ethnic Minorities and Religions Y Thong emphasized that the National Concert “Dieu Con Mai” is an important cultural and artistic rendezvous, leaving many imprints and having a widespread influence in society. This is the first year that the Ministry of Ethnic Minorities and Religions and VietNamNet Newspaper have organized “Dieu Con Mai”. In particular, this year’s program takes place on the occasion of the entire Party and people celebrating the 80th anniversary of the founding of the country, further highlighting the sacred value of “Dieu Con Mai” in the spiritual life of the people.

Journalist Nguyen Van Ba, Editor-in-Chief of VietNamNet Newspaper and Head of the program's Organizing Committee, said that the organizers of "What Will Last Forever" always aim to preserve the core values ​​of the program, which is to honor famous Vietnamese musical works performed by passionate and responsible artists. Many artists participate in the program not only to perform, but also to serve and dedicate music to the public on the country's important occasion.

The Editor-in-Chief of VietNamNet Newspaper also shared that because it is held annually, every year, the organizers always try to bring new points to the program. Moreover, in the recent context of many large art events and concerts, creating positive effects, "What remains forever" needs to affirm its appeal with many different colors.

And to bring a new color to the program after nearly 2 decades of organization, this year's "Dieu con mai" has many singers participating for the first time such as: Ha An Huy, Dinh Trang, Bach Tra, Viet Danh, Luong Khanh Nhi, Phan Phuc. Along with that, "Dieu con mai" also welcomes the return of diva Hong Nhung, divo Tung Duong and singer Lan Anh - familiar faces from the first episodes of "Dieu con mai" but absent in recent years.

This is the first year that VietNamNet is under the Ministry of Ethnic Minorities and Religions, so the program cleverly incorporates ethnic elements, with songs such as Dak Krong River in Spring, Singing in the Pac Bo Forest , Cham Pa Thei Mai Folk Songs, Folk Songs and Hue Royal Court Music...

The vocal and instrumental performances were carefully selected by Music Director Tran Manh Hung and VietNamNet, and interspersed with the participation of the Sun Symphony Orchestra (SSO) under the direction of French conductor Olivier Ochanine.

Musician Tran Manh Hung said that this is also the factor that makes the difference for “What remains forever” from the past until now. That is, ethnic music, revolutionary songs, folk songs, red music, lyrical music… are all brought to the symphony stage, creating a unique identity.

“This year, we chose to tell stories using elegant and soft musical language, but still covering major historical milestones. The epic Song Lo will be staged in the style of a concerto for piano and orchestra, performed by young talent Luong Khanh Nhi. Or Towards Hanoi will be performed with the delicate cello of a young artist studying in the US, bringing a fresh perspective on the Capital.

We want the audience not only to listen to familiar songs but also to feel the depth of history, the sparkle of emotions and national spirit through music. Familiar songs about Hanoi and the Fatherland will be renewed with the participation of leading artists such as Hong Nhung and Tung Duong…” – Musician Tran Manh Hung said.

Returning to “The Forever” 2025 with the song “Singing in the Pac Bo Forest” – a famous work by musician Nguyen Tai Tue, Meritorious Artist Lan Anh said she was extremely happy. This is the song she performed in “The Forever” nearly 10 years ago, so this comeback brings many new emotions, both as a reminder and as a precious opportunity to contribute on the country’s important holiday.

Having participated in "What remains forever" 2023, this year Meritorious Artist Le Giang continues to return to perform the solo piece "Motherland" (composer Tran Manh Hung) with the Sun Symphony Orchestra. She shared: "In the flow of contemporary Vietnamese music, "Motherland" by musician Tran Manh Hung is a special mark. Not only because this is the work that won the Second Prize - Award of the Vietnam Musicians Association in 2010 in the genre written for the monochord, but also because it opens up a unique space of intersection between folk music and Western symphony orchestras."

Notably, not only did Music Director Tran Manh Hung arrange all the works of "What remains forever" 2025, he also selected the works to be performed with a purpose in space and time. It is a musical journey honoring the beauty of the lands that the liberation army passed through: Central Highlands, Binh Tri Thien, South Central Coast, South, Ho Chi Minh City...