The sounds of modern Hanoi - a vibrant, endless flow.

Hanoi has always been an endless source of inspiration for musicians. Composer Hoang Lan once shared: "There isn't a single musician from Hanoi who hasn't composed a song about this place."

It is from this very source of inspiration that new melodies continuously resonate, imbued with love and the beauty of the capital city, contributing to shaping the image of Hanoi and nurturing the soul of Hanoians in this new era.

Many new musical works about Hanoi are being performed in major art programs. [Image caption: Art program “Hanoi - The Everlasting Aspiration of Vietnam”. Photo: Thang Long Media]

The blending of multiple generations

Hanoi has always been a recurring theme for generations of musicians to immerse themselves in, explore, and discover.

Veteran composers continue to regularly release new songs. Recently, composer Lê Mây continued his inspiration from the outskirts of Hanoi with songs like "Tây Tựu Flower Village," "Empty Moon," "Village Temple," and "Summer Rain" in a rock style. Composer Đình Nghĩ presented the poetic "Hanoi in the Season of Leaves" and "Oh, the Waves Covering Tây Hồ Lake." Following the song "Glorious Hanoi," composer Nguyễn Anh Trí presented "Hanoi's Solo Melody," set to a poem by Nguyễn Hữu Quý, with the influence of traditional Vietnamese folk music to portray the image of Thăng Long - Hanoi from the past to the present and future.

Composer Le Thong Nhat has composed seven songs dedicated to the capital city, including "My Hanoi," "Hanoi on an Autumn Afternoon," and most recently, "Hanoi, the Sacred Heart." Each song offers a new perspective, supplementing what was "left unsaid" in his previous compositions. The composer chooses a deeply moving chamber music style, allowing his melodies to serve as a message from his generation to his descendants about the image of Hanoi – the city of memories, love, and pride.

The next generation includes musician Nguyen Thanh Trung with his nostalgic song "The Sound of Hanoi" about this land. Musician Quang Huy composed "The Sacred Soul of Hanoi" set to a poem by Ngo Xuan Binh. Meanwhile, Vu Ngoc Dam's "Hanoi in the Season of Love" is written in a youthful blues-jazz style, reflecting the beauty of Hanoi's four seasons. Following "Hanoi Day... Month... Year" and "Hanoi Come to Love," musician Ta Duy Tuan presented the romantic and poetic work "Hanoi Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter."

Violinist Trinh Minh Hien surprised fans with his album "Hanoi Hanoi," a collection of 10 songs composed over more than 20 years, newly arranged with violin accompaniment, creating a multi-faceted musical tapestry. Notable examples include "Hanoi Hanoi" (classical), "Oh, Power Outage" (Latin blues jazz), "Wet Stain" (pop), "Call Me Hanoi" (alternative rock), "When We Interlock Our Fingers" (country)...

Young artists also bring their own unique, contemporary colors, such as Wren Evans, who gained attention with "Vinh Tuy Bridge" from his album "Loi Choi," which has garnered over 3.5 million views and appeared on Billboard Vietnam. Rapper Obito offers a fresh perspective through his rap "Hanoi," which currently has over 44 million views on YouTube. Despite their differences in style, they all contribute the voice of Gen Z to the flow of Hanoi's music.

Endless inspiration and new aspirations in creative work.

What gives music about Hanoi its enduring vitality is the endless inspiration from this land of a thousand years of culture. Composer Le Thong Nhat shared: “The inspiration for Hanoi is always present. One song cannot fully express the love, so whenever I have new feelings, I write. And I think I will continue to compose about Hanoi, because the capital is developing strongly.”

Sharing the same sentiment, musician Nguyen Thanh Trung expressed: “Hanoi has always possessed a very unique and special beauty. It's not only beautiful in its natural scenery, but also in the soul and emotions of its people. Today, the capital is constantly striving, innovating, and modernizing. Like many Hanoians, I want to express my love and gratitude to this land. And music is perhaps the most interesting way to do that.”

Inspired by this, the younger generation of musicians has been exploring new paths. They harmonize tradition and modernity, combining familiar melodies with traditional instruments, while experimenting with rap, R&B, blues jazz, drill, and electro-pop. This exploration gives Hanoi music a "new look," keeping pace with international trends while preserving its inherent identity. Young musician Ta Duy Tuan shared: "When writing songs about the capital, I always want to convey a unique story and message, from the historical beauty to the character of the people of Hanoi. Each composition aims to spread the love, vitality, image, and people of Hanoi to friends around the world." Through this lens, Hanoi appears both familiar and fresh – a modern city yet steeped in memories.

According to musician and music researcher Nguyen Quang Long, the evolution of Hanoi's music today is different from before. While previously works often had a broad scope, linked to the national spirit, now musicians choose to tell stories from glimpses of life, infusing songs with everyday experiences. “New works still carry a love for Hanoi, a nostalgic beauty, and also new realities. Although the scope may be narrower, they have a more widespread and integrated feel, resonating with young people in the region and the world, ” affirmed musician Nguyen Quang Long.

Innovation also comes from the approach to the audience. Many young musicians don't stop at songwriting; they also directly produce music videos, combine live performances, and release them on digital platforms. This is how Hanoi music transcends borders, connects with international trends, and spreads widely.

Composer Nguyen Duc Trinh, President of the Vietnam Musicians Association, affirmed: “Hanoi has always been a locality possessing many of the best songs. Every year, hundreds of new works are created. Many works have high artistic value and express the deep emotions of the artists. With the development of technology, these songs will quickly spread into daily life.”

It can be said that contemporary music about Hanoi is a convergence of many generations and styles. The greatest commonality remains love for the capital city – a city of memories, aspirations, and integration. Each new work, whether nostalgic or modern, is a piece contributing to the endless, multifaceted symphony of Hanoi.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/thanh-am-ha-noi-moi-dong-chay-da-sac-bat-tan-718478.html