"Song of Unity"

The song "Song of Reunification" by musician Vo Van Di resounded on the Voice of Vietnam radio in early 1976 like the cheers of the people and soldiers nationwide who were urgently overcoming the consequences of war, developing the economy in the joy of a unified country, a united country: "The vast sea and sky are as beautiful as brocade/ Water and clouds of many colors, ships going North and South/ The sea and sky of our homeland resound with songs/ North and South are one family, one family is happy with the sound of folk songs".

Hà Nội Mới•25/04/2025

During his lifetime, musician Vo Van Di said: At the end of April 1975, we won a series of victories, then the army occupied the Independence Palace, Saigon was liberated, the Ho Chi Minh Campaign was completely victorious, and the art troupes were ordered to immediately go to the South. He and the Voice of Vietnam art troupe traveled by boat from the North to the South to perform to celebrate the reunification day.

In his eyes, the sea and sky of Vietnam at the moment of national reunification was sacred and heartbreakingly beautiful. The great joy of the country being reunited moved him, the melodies and lyrics kept popping out: “The sea and sky of our homeland have been separated for many years/ Life is divided in two places/ The sea and sky of our homeland are now one house/ Satisfying many years of dreams”.

The first recording of “The Unification Song” was performed by People’s Artist Thu Hien. She shared: In her 60 years of singing, she was asked to sing this song for 40 years. Now over 70 years old, many audiences still ask her to sing “The Unification Song”. Musician Cat Van, former Head of the Music Editorial Board of Voice of Vietnam Radio, commented: “The Unification Song” is a good musical work, imbued with national character, the pinnacle of musician Vo Van Di’s creative career.

Musician Vo Van Di (1933 - 2005) was born in Nghi Loc, Nghe An. He graduated from the University of Literature (now the University of Social Sciences and Humanities) and the Vietnam Music School (now the National Academy of Music). During the resistance war against the US, he fought on the front lines with the "Singing Over the Bombs" movement, promoting the province's arts and culture. Later, he transferred to the Voice of Vietnam Radio and worked there until his retirement.

He has had many instrumental works broadcast and performed, along with many songs, such as "To Dear Hue", "Lovely Nghe Tinh", "Returning to Uncle Ho's Homeland"... Musician Vo Van Di has been awarded many prestigious awards, but perhaps the most valuable award is the song "Unification Song" that is forever engraved in the hearts of the public, becoming a song that lives forever with the history of the day North and South were unified.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/bai-ca-thong-nhat-700263.html