"A land of waves, a land of wind"
“Greeting the new day, welcoming the sunrise over the vast ocean, the rolling mountains sing along with the clouds…” – these opening lyrics of the song “Sunrise over Cat Ba” evoke a spacious, pristine atmosphere where nature and people blend in a new rhythm of life. The work of composer Xuan Binh – who previously made his mark with the famous song “I am a Hai Phong native” – is one of the representative recent compositions about the coastal city.
Sharing about his "brainchild," musician Xuan Binh said that "sunrise" is just a source of inspiration, but what he wants to portray is the distinctive beauty of Cat Ba: limestone mountains, fascinating cave systems, and especially the "salty charm" of the people of the coastal region. The song is not only a depiction of nature but also an invitation to promote the image of Cat Ba to tourists from all over the country. Notably, "Cat Ba Sunrise" is arranged in a contemporary folk style, combining modern musical elements with the free-spiritedness of young people. The melody is not complicated, easy to listen to, yet still carries emotional depth, sometimes gentle and romantic, other times powerful, reflecting the rhythm of life of the people of the island.
Following the same theme, the song "Green Cat Ba" by composer Duy Thai brings a fresh and youthful feel. Instead of following familiar motifs, the song chooses to tell its story through direct experiences: mountains rising from the sea, the salty breeze mingling with the breath of fish, and a coastal town changing day by day. The vibrant melody combined with carefully chosen lyrics transforms the song into a lively "musical postcard" of Cat Ba today.
Besides the two representative songs mentioned above, the new compositions about Cat Ba and Hai Phong also include many other noteworthy works, such as "Hon Guoc Trang Roi" by composer Thanh Nha - a youthful song for male vocalists with a fresh and humane feel; or "Cat Ba Welcomes a New Day" by composer Tran Quang Minh with its lively melody, vividly showcasing the tourist scenery and the optimistic spirit of the island's inhabitants. These compositions demonstrate an effort to refresh familiar themes while contributing to promoting the image of a dynamic and vibrant Cat Ba.
Endless inspiration
It is no coincidence that Hai Phong is always mentioned as one of Vietnam's quintessential "musical centers." It has been the birthplace and nurturing ground of many great names in modern music, such as composers Van Cao, Hoang Quy, Doan Chuan, Do Nhuan, Tran Chung, and Ngo Thuy Mien. During the war years, the image of the resilient port city "fighting and producing simultaneously" became a great source of inspiration for composers, giving rise to many heroic and epic songs that contributed to portraying an indomitable and proud Hai Phong.
Entering peacetime, musical works about Hai Phong shifted to a more lyrical and profound tone, while still retaining their unique characteristics. Many songs have stood the test of time, such as "Hai Phong, My Homeland" (Cap Trong Vinh), "Cat Ba Afternoon" (Van Luong), "Song of Bach Long Vi Island" (Vu Ngoc Quang), "City of Memories" (Vu Loan), "Cat Bi Fire" (Hung The), "Going to the Flower Garden to Play" (Van Tan), "City of Flowers on Fire" (Tung Ngoc), "The Shore of Awaiting" (Duy Thai), "I Am a Hai Phong Person" (Xuan Binh), "Hai Phong Girls" (Duc Hoai)... These songs are not only musical memories but also "spiritual heritage," contributing to shaping the cultural identity of the city. This foundation has provided impetus for today's generations of musicians to continue creating and renewing familiar themes with modern musical language.
Continuing this tradition, the "Cat Ba - Land of Heritage" Literature and Arts Workshop, organized by the Hai Phong Union of Literature and Arts from March 25th to April 15th, 2026, became a noteworthy highlight. With the participation of 30 artists from four different fields, the workshop was not only an opportunity for field trips to Cat Ba but also a space for exchanging ideas and inspiring creativity. During the workshop, many new musical works were created, contributing to enriching the "treasure trove" of songs about Hai Phong today.
Concluding the writing camp, writer Dinh Thuong stated that the noteworthy aspect was not only the quantity of works, but also the shift in the creative thinking of the artists. The authors closely followed real-life situations, finding new material from the very essence of Cat Ba today, thereby creating emotionally rich works that still retain a contemporary spirit and have the potential to resonate with the public.
From an artistic perspective, musician Duy Thai, Chairman of the Hai Phong Music Association, emphasized that each song written about the city is not just an artistic product, but also the culmination of memories, emotions, and responsibility. These are memories of a heroic city in battle, dynamic in labor, and creative in development; at the same time, they are also the result of the city's attention and guidance in encouraging musicians to compose. According to him, it is the love for Hai Phong and the connection with the city's people that gives these melodies enduring vitality, lasting through the years.
HAI HAUSource: https://baohaiphong.vn/nhung-giai-dieu-moi-ve-thanh-pho-cang-542125.html
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