Special Characters
In celebration of the 134th birthday of President Ho Chi Minh, Melody of Pride in May reminds us of Uncle Ho’s teachings and recounts stories of his connection with soldiers. The program is structured into Chapter I: Our National Defense Force is the Beloved Child of Uncle Ho, Chapter II: Uncle Ho is Our Certain Victory, Chapter III: Uncle Ho is Marching with Us
The May edition of Melody of Pride in May will feature special figures associated with different historical periods. Among them is musician Doãn Nho, the composer of Tiến bước dưới quân kỳ (Marching Under the Military Flag). He shares his pride in being a soldier of Uncle Ho and his memorable encounters with President Ho Chi Minh. Both Doãn Nho and his wife have performed for Uncle Ho, with him playing the violin and her singing. Significantly, two Pa Kô women will be on stage, the original inspirations for the song Cô gái Pa Kô con cháu Bác Hồ (Pa Kô Girl, Descendant of Uncle Ho) , composed by musician Huy Thục in 1969. This marks their first visit to Hanoi. Their presence on the stage, accompanied by wild vegetables and stories of villagers' support for the Trường Sơn soldiers, brings to life the image of Huy Thục's Pa Kô girl, despite the passage of time and their advanced age.
Embedded in the Melody of Pride in May will be documentaries highlighting President Ho Chi Minh's affection for the Vietnamese People's Army and a special feature on the soldiers of Uncle Ho. One of those stories is about Colonel and hero of the People's Armed Forces Nguyễn Viết Sinh, who carried 55 tons of goods and "completed a full circle around the Earth". Over the course of four years and 1,089 working days, Nguyễn Viết Sinh transported more than 55 tons of goods, covering a total distance of 41,025 kilometers. This distance is equivalent to one full circle around the Earth's equator.When he thinks about it now, even he cannot comprehend how he achieved such a miraculous feat.
Another documentary will recount the story of the Hồ Chí Minh badges, which are an invaluable reward for the young soldiers of the new era. Additionally, the program will feature beautiful stories about the admirable image of Uncle Ho's soldiers in the modern times. This includes the image of soldiers assisting civilians during storms and natural disasters, maintaining world peace, and the heroic sacrifices made in the line of duty. These stories reaffirm the noble qualities of Uncle Ho's soldiers. Even though President Who has passed away, his teachings and spirit will continue to guide the officers and soldiers of the Vietnamese People's Army both now and in the future.
The stories of Melody of Pride in May help us gain a deeper understanding of Uncle Ho's soldiers: no matter what era they live in, they always have a high ideal.
Refreshed Music
As usual, music serves as the thread connecting the stories and documentaries in the program. Seven familiar songs—"For the People, Forget Oneself," "The Army Returns to the Village," "Steps on the Trường Sơn Range," "The Pa Kô Girl, Descendant of Uncle Ho," "You Are the Certain Victory," a medley of "Song of Offering to Uncle Ho" and "We Guard Your Sleep," and "Uncle Ho Is Marching with Us"—will be remastered by musician Hoàng Anh Minh. The program will also feature many beloved artists, such as People's Artist Quang Thọ, singer Đông Hùng, Sèn Hoàng Mỹ Lam, and the band Oplus…
Speaking about his performance, musician and singer Quang Minh of Oplus stated: "This is the first time I and Oplus are singing 'Steps on the Trường Sơn Range.' We were tasked with singing the a cappella part at the very beginning of the song. The music for this song has been rearranged with a younger, more rock influenced style. I think this arrangement not only suits the song but also fits Oplus perfectly. This is an opportunity for Oplus to deliver the song in a new style while still maintaining its inherent grandeur." According to editor Minh Thảo, although the songs in the May edition of "Melody of Pride" are old, the new arrangements will surely bring delightful surprises to the audience.
Special attention is also paid to the stage design of the program, which features a large LED screen that dynamically changes with the context of each song. The audience will see images of familiar rural scenes with bìm bìm flowers in bloom, a roadside tea shop, bamboo beds, thatched-roof houses, cups of green tea, and simple peanut candy packages. At other times, it will be transformed into the windy peaks of the Trường Sơn mountain range, where soldiers march tirelessly.
Stay tuned for Melody of Pride in May, airing at 20:10 on Sunday, May 26th, on VTV1.
