50 years of national reunification: A resonant harmony of victory

The country has been at peace for half a century, but the heroic memories of the wartime are still the inspiration for many artists. They always want to create quality works of art like incense sticks to commemorate those who sacrificed for the country. It is gratifying that the younger generation, those who live in peace, always enthusiastically welcome the memories of their ancestors. It is especially meaningful when these works "harmonize" on the day the whole nation celebrates the victory of April 30.

Shining "Tunnel - Sun in the dark"

In the first days of April, the whole country is looking forward to the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025), the film "Tunnels - Sun in the Dark" has officially been released to audiences nationwide. Since its release, the film has received enthusiastic support from audiences, including many young audiences. More specifically, the film's revenue has surpassed many other popular market films, reaching 150 billion VND as of April 20, affirming the strong appeal of the work to the public.

Many people shed tears as they lived with the difficulties, hardships, pain, and longing... of the guerrillas in the tunnels. Each note of music and melody in the film also exudes the harsh reality of war. That is why the film brings a real and overwhelming feeling as if everyone was in the tunnel and fighting with the guerrillas. Many vivid images of the film were shared on social networking sites with compliments, expressing deep emotions, and gratitude for the bravery of our ancestors...

The film crew was honored to welcome former guerrillas Vo Thi Mo, Cao Thi Huong, Ly Thi To, Tran Thi Neo and People's Armed Forces Hero To Van Duc at a special film screening in tribute to Cu Chi.

The film crew visited many places and interacted with the audience right after the screening in different regions of the country. People's Armed Forces Hero To Van Duc, who was nicknamed "Mine Hero" for his initiatives in creating mines to destroy enemy tanks in the steel land of Cu Chi, the prototype for the character Tu Dap (played by actor Quang Tuan), interacted with the audience.

According to Mr. To Van Duc, although the film only depicts a "slice" of the heroic real story as well as a part of the historical image, it has shown the fighting spirit against American imperialism of the people of the steel land of Cu Chi.

“After watching the film about my and my comrades' fight, I was very moved, because the memories of a time of bombs and bullets are always present in my mind,” Mr. To Van Duc shared.

A representative of the Vietnam Film Institute (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) said that "Tunnels - Sun in the Dark" is a valuable work of art, recreating the image of soldiers and people who fought steadfastly in the tunnels - the "suns in the dark". The image of soldiers deep underground, persistently fighting, having to face danger and develop creative strategies has become a symbol of the resilient, brave and intelligent spirit of the Vietnamese people. This is not only a work of art but also a great lesson about patriotism, the spirit of tireless fighting for the ideals, freedom and independence of the nation. The success factor comes not only from the fascinating historical story but also from the modern cinematic storytelling, with psychological depth, realistic images, dramatic rhythm, and vivid sound. This is the factor that helps the film reach young people - an audience that seems to have little interest in historical films.

After the film was released, Cu Chi Tunnels - a historical destination in Ho Chi Minh City - attracted more and more tourists to visit and experience. This is also the result of the success of the film.

Sharing with the press, Mr. Le Cong Nang, Chairman of the Vietnam Business Forum - Chairman of the Board of Directors of WonderTour International Travel Joint Stock Company, said: "Tunnels - Sun in the Dark" contributes to creating a wave of historical exploration in the community, including young people. The film not only contributes to promoting tourism in Cu Chi Tunnels but also spreads to neighboring areas. Films on revolutionary wars have ignited patriotism and pride in the history of the nation, helping the audience have a look at the historical context, recreating heroic stories of the nation, arousing curiosity and a desire to learn.

Director of the Asian Tourism Development Institute Pham Hai Quynh also shared that "Tunnels - Sun in the Dark" has stimulated the flow of cultural and historical tourism products. Therefore, tourism units can build tours following the film, connecting with relics, museums, legends... making the travel experience more emotional and meaningful.

Many experts believe that when the art of storytelling on screen is combined with the art of organizing real-life exploration journeys, cinema will not only stop at the theater but can become a door opening a world of vivid experiences for tourists. Vietnam can completely turn historical tourism into a unique development spearhead that is both rich in emotions and rich in value if all parties cooperate and act in unison.

Song of Triumph

The song “The Country is Full of Joy” by musician Hoang Ha is considered one of the best works written about the day of total victory, the country reunited. Every time the song is sung, there is a flame of pride rising in everyone’s heart. Each and every word in the song describes the excitement and joy of the entire nation at the moment of total victory, the North and the South returning to one house: “We walk in the thousands of golden stars and fluttering flags/Bustling and passionate footsteps rushing here/Oh Saigon, firmly believing for so many years/A day of joyful liberation…” or “The total victory festival is exciting for the country/We want to fly up, intoxicated, watching the majestic mountains and rivers/We want to sing loudly forever Vietnam/Heroic Fatherland”.

This song is a famous composition of musician Hoang Ha (1929-2023), real name Hoang Phi Hong, also known by the pen name Cam La. He is also the author of many other famous songs such as "Lights on Viet Tri Bridge", "Communist Saturday Song", "Meeting on Truong Son Peak", "Ammunition Loading Song", "Marching Together in Spring", "Con Dao" choir symphony... During his lifetime, the musician shared many times about the circumstances of the birth of the song "The Country Full of Joy". He once said that every day he was exposed to the hottest information about the nation's resistance, especially in the last days of the war, when news of victory was continuously sent back. He was always filled with joy and excitement. As a composer and music editor, he was urged to write a song about the miraculous general offensive of our army and people.

He started writing the song on the night of April 26, 1975, and with the intuition of a Vietnamese son, he had absolute confidence in the victory of our army, which was his aspiration as well as the whole nation's aspiration for the day of national reunification.

On the morning of April 27, 2025, he brought the song to the Voice of Vietnam Radio to report, the crew quickly arranged and recorded. The first singer to perform this song was People's Artist Trung Kien - the person that musician Hoang Ha said "his voice really gave wings to my song to fly, exactly as I imagined a day when the South was completely liberated and the country was unified"...

On the morning of May 1, 1975, the song was broadcast on the Voice of Vietnam Radio in Hanoi, along with the song "As if Uncle Ho were here on the great victory day" by musician Pham Tuyen. The song was used as the theme song by the Voice of Ho Chi Minh City Radio.

The late People's Artist Trong Bang, General Secretary of the Vietnam Musicians Association, once commented: "I want to fly up" the joy is so great that it makes people "fly up" from the ground to see the place of victory, to see the day of total victory". It seems that the musician wants to fly up to see the great scene of victory to be satisfied.

After People's Artist Trung Kien, many famous singers have sung "The Country is Full of Joy", including People's Artist Ta Minh Tam. This song has followed him for more than 40 years of his singing career, attached to him like "flesh and blood"...

“As if Uncle Ho were here on the great victory day” by musician Pham Tuyen is also a song that the Vietnamese people sing not only on the day of reunification but also in any celebration or common joy of the whole nation. This is also a song that goes through the years, like a harmony resonating with joy...

On April 30, 1975, after the victory news, the song “As if Uncle Ho were here on the great victory day” by musician Pham Tuyen resounded on the Voice of Vietnam radio. The song immediately entered the hearts of millions of Vietnamese people, and was sung throughout the country. Just a few days later, almost everyone in the North heard and knew this song. In the South, many people also knew and sang it. Later, the song went beyond the borders of Vietnam, spreading to many countries such as Russia, Germany, Cuba, China... In 1985, 10 years after the song “As if Uncle Ho were here on the great victory day” was released, musician Pham Tuyen was honored to be awarded the Third Class Labor Medal.

Musician Pham Tuyen shared that the song was born at the right time of “heavenly time, favorable terrain, and harmony of people”. The lyrics of the song are the feelings and the voice of millions of Vietnamese people. Thanks to that resonance, the work, though simple, still has a lasting vitality… Time has passed so quickly since the historic day of April 30, 1975, but every time he hears his song, musician Pham Tuyen is still very moved. He said: “The song is loved and sung by the public, proving that my work has touched the hearts of many generations of the public, from children to the elderly… This is the greatest reward for a composer like me”.

Source: https://baobinhphuoc.com.vn/news/19/172181/50-nam-non-song-lien-mot-dai-ban-hoa-am-cong-huong-niem-vui-chien-thang