"The Song of Unity"

The song "Song of Unification" by composer Vo Van Di resounded on the Voice of Vietnam radio in early 1976 like the joyful cry of the entire nation's people and soldiers urgently overcoming the consequences of war and developing the economy in the joy of national reunification and a united country: "The vast sea and sky are beautiful like brocade/ The water and clouds are of many colors, ships sail from North to South/ The sea and sky of our homeland resound with songs/ North and South are one family, joyful as one family, the sound of folk songs echoes."

During his lifetime, musician Võ Văn Di recounted that: In late April 1975, we achieved successive victories, then the army captured the Independence Palace, Saigon was liberated, the Ho Chi Minh Campaign was a complete victory, and the performing arts troupes were ordered to immediately head south. He and a troupe of artists from the Voice of Vietnam Radio traveled by ship from the North to the South to perform in celebration of the reunification day.

In his eyes, the sea and sky of Vietnam at the moment of national reunification were sacred and breathtakingly beautiful. The great joy of the country being united moved him deeply, and melodies and lyrics flowed from him: "Our homeland's sea and sky, separated for so many years / Life divided us in different places / Our homeland's sea and sky are now one home / Fulfilling our long-held dreams."

The first recording of "The Song of Unification" was performed by People's Artist Thu Hien. She shared that in her 60 years of singing, she has been asked to sing this song for 40 of them. Now over 70 years old, many audiences still request her to sing "The Song of Unification." Musician Cat Van, former Head of the Music Editorial Board of the Voice of Vietnam Radio, assessed: "The Song of Unification" is a beautiful musical work, rich in national character, and a masterpiece in the songwriting career of composer Vo Van Di.

Composer Võ Văn Di (1933 - 2005), originally from Nghi Lộc, Nghệ An, graduated from the Faculty of Literature (now the University of Social Sciences and Humanities) and the Vietnam Music School (now the National Academy of Music). During the war against the US, he worked on the front lines with the "Singing to drown out the sound of bombs" movement, promoting arts and culture in the province. Later, he transferred to the Voice of Vietnam Radio and worked there until his retirement.

He had many instrumental works broadcast and performed, along with many songs, such as "To Beloved Hue," "Beloved Nghe Tinh," "Returning to Uncle Ho's Homeland," etc. Composer Vo Van Di received many prestigious awards, but perhaps the most precious award is the song "Song of Unification," which will forever be etched in the hearts of the public, becoming a song that lives on with the history of the reunification of North and South Vietnam.

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