Perhaps, among the localities across the country, Hanoi is the city with the most songs and almost every song about Hanoi leaves an indelible mark, accompanying the people of the capital and those who love this city over the years.

I am a History teacher. In addition to my knowledge of history, I also love culture and art, enjoy music, and am fascinated by red and lyrical songs.

For me, Hanoi, Faith and Hope by musician Phan Nhan is one of the best songs about the capital that I like to listen to and sing.

Hanoi is experiencing exciting days with a series of events celebrating the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the capital (October 10, 1954 - October 10, 2024). In the major political art programs in the capital this time, the song Hanoi - Faith and Hope is definitely a must-have item.

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Images of activities to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of the Capital (October 10, 1954 - October 10, 2024). Photo: Pham Hai

I listen to this song not only with the ears of an audience, but also absorb it with the eyes and heart of a History teacher because of the special things. In my understanding, musicians are not simply people who do art work, create art, but they are people who write history with lyrics and musical notes. Phan Nhan with the work Hanoi, Faith and Hope is one of many such musicians.

There are two things about the song that I like.

Firstly, the author of this famous song was not born and raised in Hanoi. Musician Phan Nhan was from An Giang. In 1954, he left the Southwest region to live in Hanoi. He lived and experienced deeply the land and people of Hanoi for a short time. But he had a song that would forever be a special mark for Hanoi. Only a heart that knows how to vibrate deeply, a boundless love could help him compose such a good song about the Capital.

It was the boundless "belief" and strong "hope" in the bright future of the musician, as well as of the entire nation, that gave the army and people of Hanoi strength to overcome difficulties and dangers to defeat the enemy and build the capital "more dignified and more beautiful" as Uncle Ho wished.

The solemn melody and passionate lyrics of the song blend together to create a "cannon barrel still reaching high into the sky" during the months of fighting the Americans. Hanoi in the winter of 1972 with 12 days and nights of "Dien Bien Phu in the air" that later forced the Americans to sign the Paris Agreement on January 27, 1973.

Historically, Hanoi was chosen by our ancestors as the capital and the place to establish the dynasty. Hanoi is the heart of the whole country, the "Capital of conscience and dignity", the "City for peace". Thang Long - Dong Do - Hanoi is forever the belief and hope, not only for today but also for tomorrow.

More than half a century since this song was released, singer Tran Khanh was the first person chosen by musician Phan Nhan to sing on the Voice of Vietnam radio, then in turn famous singers such as Quy Duong, Trung Kien, Doan Tan, Quang Ly, Ngoc Tan, Quang Tho, to the trio Dang Duong - Trong Tan - Viet Hoan, Quoc Hung, Phuc Tiep, Xuan Hao, Tien Lam..., each with their own style and voice, but all performed this majestic song very movingly on many big stages.

Hanoi, faith and hope, is a symbol of a deep love that has been tested and nurtured over a long period of time by a son of the Southern land with Hanoi.

Hanoi, the belief and hope, has become a message, a cultural symbol not only of the capital but also the source of strength for an entire nation that will last through history.

Walking through history with Hanoi's city gates Nearly 200 documents and images archived over many years are being displayed at the exhibition "Hanoi and the city gates" on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of the Capital.