Flag-raising ceremony of the University of Science , Hue University during the opening ceremony of the new academic year.

Many places do not yet require the singing of the national anthem.

At the recent opening ceremony of the 2024-2025 academic year at a university, the national flag-raising ceremony and the singing of the national anthem were indispensable. When the master of ceremonies called out the flag salute, the melody of the national anthem was played immediately afterward. Observing the hall, not many people sang the national anthem along with the melody being played.

In a group of students at the back of the auditorium, one male student stood at attention and sang the national anthem quite loudly and clearly. Even from about three rows away, the student's voice could be heard, despite the loud music.

Sharing his experience during the national anthem, the male student couldn't hide his emotion, saying, "As a Vietnamese person, I always feel proud when I sing the national anthem. I don't understand why my classmates turned to look at me in surprise like that. I've also attended several important events with flag-raising ceremonies and the singing of the national anthem, and most people didn't sing; they just stood at attention until the music finished before sitting down."

Observing various important events and activities at agencies and organizations that include flag-raising ceremonies and the singing of the national anthem, the number of people singing the national anthem is very small. Explaining this, the leader of a university that recently held its opening ceremony for the new academic year stated that without music, the singing of the national anthem would be uneven, diminishing the solemnity and heroism of the song. Playing music with lyrics has become commonplace, so many students have rarely or never sung the national anthem.

Mr. Tran Quang Cuom, Head of the Propaganda Department of Phong Dien District Party Committee, said: "In all monthly flag-raising ceremonies at agencies and units in the district, the Standing Committee of the District Party Committee has instructed and required that only instrumental versions of the national anthem be played, and that all officials and employees sing the national anthem. However, it is true that at some events, most people play the national anthem with lyrics, and many people just stand and salute the flag without singing."

Sing from the heart

Raising the national flag and singing the national anthem is an important ritual, demonstrating patriotism, political acumen, pride, and responsibility of the Vietnamese people towards their homeland and nation. The national anthem is the soul and essence of the nation, where the national spirit is distilled through each melody and lyric. Each time the national anthem is sung, it awakens national pride, a "thread" connecting the past, present, and future.

Dr. Nguyen Van Quang, Secretary of the Youth Union of Hue University and lecturer in the Department of Political Theory, Hue University of Education, stated: The Ministry of Education and Training has assessed that currently, in many places, during the national flag-raising ceremony, people do not sing the national anthem, or replace singing with listening to music. This somewhat diminishes the solemnity and significance of the national flag-raising ceremony and the singing of the national anthem.

To ensure that the flag-raising ceremony and singing of the national anthem become a regular practice, effectively educating students about revolutionary ideals and fostering patriotism and national pride, the Ministry of Education and Training has issued a document requiring that preschools be encouraged to teach the national anthem to young children and organize group activities that include singing the national anthem. For general education schools, continuing education centers, academies, universities, colleges, vocational schools, and other educational institutions, all teachers, lecturers, and students must sing the national anthem during the flag-raising ceremony.

Dr. Nguyen Van Quang shared that in the future, through activities and professional events of the Youth Union of member schools and affiliated faculties within Hue University, singing the national anthem during flag-raising ceremonies will be included as a mandatory part of the program. Students are the younger generation, so nurturing a sense of national pride through flag-raising ceremonies and singing the national anthem is extremely important. This will then foster the pioneering spirit of youth and inspire a desire to contribute...

To make singing the national anthem a source of pride, deeply ingrained in the hearts of every individual, every educational institution, youth union, and student association needs to promote the purpose and significance of the flag-raising ceremony and singing the national anthem; to let the younger generation know about the glorious past, the history of the song, and how the world appreciates its lyrics and melody. Each time it is sung, it is an affirmation of "I am Vietnamese."

According to the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and Head of the Provincial Propaganda Department, Hoang Khanh Hung emphasized that strengthening propaganda is the most important solution to make singing the national anthem a regular practice, something everyone knows, sings, and feels proud to do. Through media channels, especially news agencies, it is crucial to promote good practices and innovative approaches; thereby, helping each individual understand and practice singing the national anthem. The goal is for singing the national anthem to come from the "heart."

On May 13, 2024, the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department issued Guideline No. 136–HD/BTGTU on organizing flag-raising ceremonies at Party agencies, the Fatherland Front, and political and social organizations in the province. The guideline emphasizes that during the flag-raising ceremony, all cadres, Party members, civil servants, public employees, and workers must stand at attention, facing the national flag and the Party flag, and sing the national anthem. Units may play audio recordings or files of the song with a standardized musical score as prescribed, requiring all attendees to sing along.
Text and photos: DUC QUANG