An emotional "bridge" connecting tourists with Ha Tinh.

(Baohatinh.vn) - From familiar melodies of the homeland, Ha Tinh appears intimate and profound in the perception of tourists. Music becomes a bridge connecting the journey of discovering Ha Tinh with full of emotion.

Báo Hà Tĩnh•28/12/2025

“Because we cherish so much barren land/We don't hesitate to dig canals...” – The song “The People Building the Ke Go Reservoir” by composer Nguyen Van Ty has stood the test of time, deeply ingrained in the memories of many generations of Vietnamese people. Remarkably, these lyrics and melodies have become an emotional bridge, guiding people to explore the landscapes, culture, and people of the Hong Mountain and La River region.

Many tourists admit that they learned about Ha Tinh not from maps or local history books, but from its music . From familiar melodies, the image of a land emerges slowly and profoundly, sparking a desire to visit and see for themselves.

"I had heard the song 'The People Who Built Ke Go Lake' many times before, but only when I set foot here, standing amidst the vast expanse of the lake, did I fully appreciate what the song conveyed," shared Mr. Do Chi Bao, a tourist from Hanoi .

For Ms. Trinh Thu Van (Hanoi), her recent visit to Ha Tinh felt like a long-awaited encounter through music: “This is Ke Go, the land we’ve waited for so many years/ This region of silver rocks and undulating hills… I sang this song and always imagined it to be a very peaceful place. When I arrived, the feeling was even more complete than I had imagined .”

Ms. Trinh Thu Van (Hanoi) was excited to visit and admire Ke Go Lake.

Ke Go Lake is now not just a large-scale irrigation project, but has become a cultural and historical symbol, as well as an attractive ecological destination in Ha Tinh.

Most of the area of Ke Go Lake is now located in Cam Due commune. Upon arriving here, visitors clearly feel the open space, the fresh nature with its gentle and poetic beauty. The calm water reflects the clouds and sky, and the surrounding green forests create a harmonious landscape. For many, Ke Go Lake is not just a place to visit and take photos, but also a place to pause, to "listen" to Ha Tinh with very personal emotions.

Music has contributed to that allure. Naturally, Ke Go Lake has become an "emotional meeting place," where the songs of yesteryear still resonate in the minds of visitors, after "years of waiting."

It's no coincidence that Ha Tinh is known as the "land of music and poetry." For a long time, this region has inspired generations of musicians, who have written songs that have stood the test of time. Compositions such as "A Heartfelt Song of the People of Ha Tinh" (Nguyen Van Ty), "The Girl of the La River" (Doan Nho), "Come Back to Ha Tinh" (Tran Hoan)... vividly portray the image of the resilient, loyal, and affectionate people of Ha Tinh.

The beauty of the Ngàn Phố River - a place that has been featured in many famous musical works.

In particular, the folk songs of the Ví and Giặm styles – with their simplicity and depth – have created a unique identity for Ha Tinh's music, making the songs easily resonate with people and stay with them for a long time.

Not only musicians born and raised in Ha Tinh, but many artists from other regions also have a special affection for this land. Among them is Cap Anh Tai – a native of Quang Tri but deeply passionate about and attached to the folk songs of Ha Tinh.

In compositions such as "Follow Me to Ha Tinh" and "Don't Blame the Folk Song," Cap Anh Tai has incorporated simple melodies and relatable lyrics, telling the story of a compassionate Ha Tinh, deeply rooted in the affection of his homeland, Nghe An. These songs have not only been well-received by audiences in Ha Tinh but have also resonated with listeners in many other regions.

“Loving the folk songs of Ha Tinh, loving Ha Tinh – for Cap Anh Tai, that's a special feeling. Tai wants to spread this folk song tradition even further to everyone, so that people can feel more deeply the beauty and uniqueness of this folk music, as well as the land and people of Ha Tinh,” Cap Anh Tai shared.

This is an image of singer Cap Anh Tai in the music video "Don't Blame the Folk Songs" produced by Ha Tinh Newspaper and Radio and Television.

Over time, music about Ha Tinh has been continuously continued with new creations. Many young artists today have dedicated their hearts to each product, from melody and lyrics to imagery and setting. The music videos are meticulously produced, showcasing the scenery of Ha Tinh – from the blue sea and mountains to the peaceful countryside – vividly and emotionally.

For singer Moc An – runner-up of the Sao Mai Nghe An singing competition and winner of the special prize at the Hanoi Singing Contest 2024 – each song about her homeland is like a story being told. “Moc An believes that songs about Ha Tinh can become an emotional bridge, evoking curiosity, affection, and encouraging tourists to visit and experience it for themselves. And when performing these songs, Moc An hopes that the audience will remember Ha Tinh as a simple yet profound land, where nature is harmonious and people are sincere and kind. A Ha Tinh that is beautiful not only because of its scenery, but also because of its cultural depth,” shared singer Moc An.

Singer Moc An is proud to introduce her hometown of Ha Tinh through her music.

It can be said that each musical product today is like an "invitation card" sent to the public and tourists: an invitation to come to Ha Tinh, an invitation to Hong Mountain and La River with enduring cultural values that are being preserved and spread.

Music, from memory to the present, has been connecting the footsteps of those seeking to return to Ha Tinh. These familiar melodies not only anchor emotions but also open up journeys of experience, encouraging visitors to stay longer and gain a deeper understanding of this land.

Ha Tinh is told through music – and loved with simple, profound, and lasting emotions. That is also the soft power that music brings to tourism in Ha Tinh today.