Singing Vietnamese folk songs comforts homesick overseas Vietnamese

To preserve and promote the Vietnamese language, a folk singing contest has been held for the first time by Radio Voice of Vietnam (VOV) and the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The contest received a warm response from overseas Vietnamese and foreign friends.

Amid COVID-19 troubles and the rat race for integration into local communities, Vietnamese cultural identities appear to be faded in the second and third generations of Vietnamese people abroad, which are calling for preservation efforts.

At present, 5.3 million Vietnamese people are studying and working in 130 countries and territories around the world.

Hundreds of entries deeply embracing the Vietnamese culture musically and lyrically were sent to the contest. They sang original folk songs and folk tunes with new lyrics in praise of life, patriotism, friendship, and love. Communicating and singing in Vietnamese is the way people living abroad handle their homesickness. Though they haven’t mastered singing techniques, their emotions are overwhelming.

Nguyen Phuc Ngoc Ha, a student in Russia, said, “This is an opportunity for me to show how much I love my homeland. The contestants get closer to each other thanks to this contest. We are so proud to sing Vietnamese folk songs on the radio. It’s truly a fond memory of our college life.”

Nguyen Thi Mai Hoa, a Vietnamese in Germany, told VOV, “Such contest will encourage Vietnamese people all around the globe sing more in Vietnamese.”

Among the contestants were those who were born and raised abroad all their life. Their Vietnamese was not perfect but their participation in this contest proves their love for Vietnamese folk songs.

Cam Quynh, who lives in Italy, said, “I love Vietnamese folk songs and culture in general. That’s why I’m here in this contest which teaches me folk songs from different regions in Vietnam. This music genre is still in favor of Vietnamese people living overseas, who, I believe, will promote it to future generations to keep it alive.”

The contest was much awaited by overseas Vietnamese people. Folk songs are a big part of the rich Vietnamese culture.

Vu Xuan Hoi, who lives in Thailand, revealed, “Every time I hear a new Vietnamese song, I listen to it again and again until I learn it by heart. This is how I enrich my Vietnamese language. I’m looking forward to more such competitions and want to contribute, though just little, to preserving the Vietnamese language and culture.”

Launched in mid May, 2021, the contest captured the interest of individuals and groups, who spent a great amount of time practicing singing and shooting amazing videos.  

Dinh Hoang Linh, Director of the Department of Information and Culture and member of the organizing board, expressed his belief that this folk singing contest realizes policies of the Party and State regarding overseas Vietnamese.  

“This contest, a playground for Vietnamese culture, instills the pride of the Vietnamese culture. The State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expects that this will kickoff a series of cultural exchanges hosted by VOV for Vietnamese people living abroad,” said Linh.   

Singing folk songs in Vietnamese will inspire greater love from overseas Vietnamese for their roots. The contest didn’t search for outstanding vocals but to connect Vietnamese people living abroad with their homeland.