In particular, songs during the war of resistance against the US for national salvation such as “The singing drowns the bomb explosions”, “Splitting the Truong Son mountain range to save the country” and “Singing for our compatriots.” The enemy’s occupation of southern cities inspired many composers to write revolutionary songs which became an effective weapon for our army and people. Music composers were present in all parts of the country and some even laid down their lives for songs which remain the pride of musical circles and the entire Vietnamese nation. They include Hoang Viet who wrote Tinh Ca (Love song), Len Ngan (Going to Mountains and Forests), La Xanh (Green Leaves), Nhac Rung (Forest Music) and Mua Lua Chin (Rice Harvest), and Van Can and Vinh Bao.

The Vietnam Musicians’ Association was established in December 1957. It began music and song writing activities in the 1930s when modern Vietnamese music was formed and developed, and particularly since the August 1945 Revolution. During that half a century, with their songs and instrumental pieces, many composers contributed to the fight in the wars of resistance wars for national salvation. Many of them grew up during the resistance and their songs bolstered the nation’s fighting spirit and the strength and vigour of these songs remain to this day. These songs also leave the nation with a musical history of the heroic struggle during the revolutionary periods. The songs Giai Phong Dien Bien (Liberation of Dien Bien Phu) composed by Do Nhuan and Tien Ve Hanoi (Marching to Hanoi) by Van Cao celebrated the successful resistance against the French. Meanwhile, many other songs such as Giai Phong Mien Nam (Liberation of southern Vietnam) and Tien Ve Saigon (Marching to Saigon) written by Luu Huu Phuoc; Nhu co Bac trong ngay vui dai thang (As if Uncle Ho was present on victory day) by Pham Tuyen, and Dat nuoc tron niem vui (The country in complete joy) by Hoang Ha marked the successful war of resistance against the US for national salvation, the liberation of southern Vietnam and reunification of the country.

Since the total liberation of the country in 1975, many songs have been written with new vitality, pride and excitement in the national renewal process, national unity and international cooperation. The songs have encouraged and developed the nation’s music against the influence of unhealthy overseas music to serve national construction and renewal. A new style of music has been formed and developed. Currently, Vietnam has a large and strong contingent of composers and musicians. Vietnam can be proud that many of its songs and instrumental musical pieces have been played by world orchestras. The array of performers also includes many talented pianists, violinists, accordionists and vocalists who have won major international prizes.

Composer Do Hong Quan, President of the Vietnam Musician Association, has stressed that the Party guidelines on the development of a Vietnamese progressive culture imbued with its national identity is correct in the case of music. The concern of musicians in the country is to develop a progressive music imbued with national identities through their musical works. They wish to develop professional music which can be matched with regional and world music. To develop professional music, our musicians must create songs and instrumental music pieces to meet the needs of music-loving people while keeping the national identities. According to composer Do Hong Quan, Vietnamese musicians have the honour and responsibilities to preserve and develop the Vietnamese music, making it unique to the country.