
An epic song from the glorious years of war.
On June 14th, in Hanoi , under the direction of the Standing Committee of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Veterans Association, the Vietnam Veterans Newspaper, in coordination with the Vietnam Musicians Association and Tri Thuc So Media Group Joint Stock Company, organized the Singing Festival to celebrate the 8th National Congress of the Vietnam Veterans Association, term 2026-2031.
Attending the program were: Lieutenant General Be Xuan Truong - Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Secretary of the Party Committee, and President of the Vietnam Veterans Association; Musician Do Hong Quan - Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Secretary of the Party Committee, and President of the Vietnam Union of Literature and Arts Associations; Major General, musician Duc Trinh - President of the Vietnam Musicians Association, and co-chair of the judging panel; along with leaders of the Central agencies of the Vietnam Veterans Association, the Vietnam Musicians Association, social organizations, partner businesses, and a large number of veterans from many provinces and cities nationwide.
From the very first moments, the atmosphere at the Au Co Art Center was filled with the colors of faith and pride. On the brightly lit stage, the white hair of those with graying hair, the neat military uniforms, and the fluttering red flags with yellow stars evoked memories of a glorious era in the nation's history. Every glance, every smile, and every song carried the memories of the heroic years of fighting for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland.
In his opening remarks, Lieutenant General Be Xuan Truong emphasized that throughout the long history of nation-building and national defense, generations of officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Army have written glorious pages of history with their fervent patriotism, unwavering will, and noble spirit of sacrifice. After completing their glorious duties to the country and returning to civilian life, the veterans continue to uphold the qualities of Uncle Ho's soldiers, setting a leading example in patriotic emulation movements, socio-economic development, building cultural life at the grassroots level, and actively participating in social welfare work.
General Be Xuan Truong affirmed that during the fierce years of war, music became a great source of spiritual encouragement for soldiers. Revolutionary songs resounding on marches, in trenches, or amidst the smoke and fire of war instilled willpower and determination in soldiers to overcome hardships and sacrifices, and to resolutely fight for national independence. Today, in peacetime, those melodies continue to accompany veterans, becoming a thread connecting tradition with the present, spreading patriotism and the aspiration to contribute to today's generations.
The festival received a strong response from Veterans' Associations at all levels nationwide. Within a short time of its launch, the Organizing Committee received over 100 video entries from 26 Veterans' art clubs from the North, Central, and South regions. After a rigorous and objective preliminary round, the 18 best performances were selected to participate in the final round.
The highlight of the festival was that the performances were deeply imbued with the spirit of life, authentically reflecting the soul, feelings, and ideals of the soldiers of Uncle Ho. Songs praising the glorious Party, the beloved Uncle Ho, the homeland, the heroic Vietnam People's Army, and the Vietnam Veterans Association created an artistic tapestry rich in emotion and revolutionary spirit. Each performance was a story told through music: memories of the arduous but heroic years of war; unwavering camaraderie; pride in the nation's victories; and profound love for the homeland during the period of renewal and development.
Endless applause erupted as the veterans sang. The audience was moved by the "Epic of the Lo River" by the Hanoi City Veterans Association; touched by "Meeting Comrades" by the Phu Tho Provincial Veterans Association; proud with "A Round Trip Around Vietnam" by the R1-2-6 Royal City Veterans Art Club; and captivated by the rich, distinctive melodies of "Quan Ho Welcoming Guests" and "My Comrades, I Remember You" by the Bac Ninh Provincial Veterans Association...
In particular, many works created by the veterans themselves have left a profound impression. The traditional Vietnamese opera "Proud of Vietnamese Veterans" by the Hung Yen Provincial Veterans Association not only showcases artistic talent but also vividly reflects love for the homeland, faith in the Party's leadership, and the responsibility of veterans towards society.
Spreading traditions, fostering a desire to contribute.
Unlike typical art performances, the festival's emotional impact comes from the real-life experiences of the amateur performers. They are people who have directly fought with weapons, faced bombs and bullets, and witnessed the sacrifices of their comrades. Therefore, their singing is not just about technical skill, but also about memories, hearts, and the unforgettable years of their lives as soldiers.
There were moments when the entire audience fell silent as the lyrics about comradeship, war, and peace were sung. In those songs were images of soldiers of yesteryear sharing sips of water and handfuls of rice on the battlefield; of farewells with no promise of return; and of comrades who forever rest in the deep forests, on the borders, and on the islands so that the Fatherland may endure.
From wartime memories to the realities of modern change today, the image of war veterans continues to shine brightly. This was vividly demonstrated through a panel discussion featuring exemplary veterans from various fields. The stories of Dr. Nguyen Thanh Son, Specialist II - Chairman of the Hue City Veteran Entrepreneurs Association; Mr. Ngo Cong Doan - Chairman of the Gia Lai Province Veteran Entrepreneurs Association; and veteran Doan Thi Ngoc Lan evoked profound emotions in the audience.
With the country at peace, veterans, having left the military and returned to civilian life, continue to uphold the courage, willpower, and sense of responsibility of soldiers of Uncle Ho's army, contributing to the community. Some work diligently in healthcare, caring for the people's health; others develop production and business, creating jobs for local workers; and still others quietly carry out acts of camaraderie, caring for families of war veterans and those in difficult circumstances. These stories once again affirm that the qualities of Uncle Ho's soldiers shine not only on the battlefield but also continue to be strongly demonstrated in peacetime. Regardless of their field, veterans always maintain their political integrity, sense of responsibility, and a desire to contribute to the country.
One of the outstanding values that the festival brings is its contribution to educating the younger generation about revolutionary traditions. Each song and melody contains vivid lessons about patriotism, solidarity, perseverance, and the aspiration for progress. For today's youth, living in peace is a blessing. But to achieve this peaceful life, countless generations of our ancestors had to sacrifice their blood, lives, and youth. The songs performed at the festival serve as a profound reminder of the value of independence and freedom; of the responsibility to preserve and promote the achievements of the revolution that previous generations have painstakingly built.
With a serious, objective, and responsible approach, the judging panel selected the best performances to award prizes. However, beyond the significance of an art competition, what resonated most deeply was the pride in the glorious traditions of the nation, the Vietnam People's Army, and the Vietnam Veterans Association. Notably, at the program, veteran Doan Thi Ngoc Lan donated 30 million VND through the Vietnam Veterans Association Newspaper to support veteran families in difficult circumstances on the occasion of the War Invalids and Martyrs Day on July 27th. This gesture further spreads the spirit of mutual support, camaraderie, and the beautiful tradition of "remembering the source when drinking water" of the nation.
The program has ended, but the songs still resonate like an endless epic about the country, the people, the glorious Party, and the noble image of Uncle Ho's soldiers. From the heroic melodies of the past to the vibrant sounds of today, the program has contributed to igniting faith, arousing national pride, and spreading widely the tradition of "Loyalty - Unity - Exemplary Conduct - Innovation" of the Vietnam Veterans Association.
Source: https://cuuchienbinh.vn/khuc-trang-ca-cua-bo-doi-cu-ho-d43572.html










