“Bai ca thong nhat” – A Tribute to the 50th Anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification

Joining the nation in commemorating a historic milestone, on the evening of April 25, 2025, Van Lang University, in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh City Writers’ Association, organized the art performance program “Bai ca thong nhat” to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 – April 30, 2025). Featuring heroic songs and poignant poetry, the performance vividly evoked the spirit of the victorious Spring of 1975, spreading a message of gratitude, national pride, and patriotism to all generations.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi My Dieu – President of Van Lang University – shared: “April 30 is not just a historical landmark, but a proud reminder of a nation that overcame war and loss to enter an era of peace and renewal. Thanks to that peace, Van Lang University was founded – 20 years after reunification – and has since become a place to spread knowledge, nurture humanistic values, and foster patriotism in generations of students”.

Writer Bich Ngan – President of the Ho Chi Minh City Writers’ Association – praised Van Lang University for its deep appreciation of culture and literature, reflected through numerous meaningful and practical activities. She noted: “No matter our backgrounds, professions, or circumstances, we all share a great aspiration: to build a compassionate and creative society, contributing to a kinder nation, lasting prosperity, and the enduring vitality of our homeland”.

The program continued with a series of revolutionary anthems such as “Dat nuoc”, “Bac dang cung chung chau hanh quan”, “Tien ve Sai Gon”, and “Dat nuoc tron niem vui” - performed with stirring pride to reenact the fierce momentum of the great Spring victory of 1975, a sacred moment that ushered Vietnam into an era of unity and independence.

A deeply emotional moment came with the recitation of “Tim than nhan” by Nguyen Duy. Composed shortly after national reunification, the poem expresses the deep longing for family reunion and has since become the collective voice of a nation healing after war. It is also the central theme of “Doc tho xuyen Viet” – a national poetry reading initiative launched by the poet to spread a message of remembrance and emotional connection among the people of all three regions.

The artistic flow continued with works rich in humanity, such as “Dem ngu” rừng by Tran Thi Thang, depicting the inner world of a young female student in the vast Trường Sơn forest, torn between nostalgia and belief. “Thoi chung ta yeu nhau” performed by writer Tran Manh Hao, was a soulful ode to wartime love - simple yet profound.

The emotions peaked with the duet “Truong Son Dong - Truong Son Tay” performed by singer Le Hieu and alumnus Nguyen Truong Ky, celebrating the faithful love between the home front and the battlefield.

The program concluded with a conversation with poet Dao Phong Lan, author of Hoan ca - a piece dedicated to the generation born in the spring of 1975. This joyful composition echoes the ideals of their forebears, embodying the spirit of peace and the aspiration to build a brighter future.

In a solemn and heartfelt finale, the entire audience joined their voices in the medley “Duong chung ta di” and “Noi vong tay lon”. These timeless songs not only recalled Vietnam’s heroic past but also served as a sacred affirmation of unity – North, Central, and South forever bonded in a single, unified nation, sharing a collective vision of a prosperous future.

“Bai ca thong nhat” was a moment of reflection and pride for the Van Lang University community – honoring the nation’s glorious past, paying tribute to the sacrifices of previous generations, and inspiring today’s youth to cherish peace, pursue noble ideals, and contribute to a strong and flourishing Vietnam.

New: Dang Khoa
Photos: Khanh Ho, Dien Khanh