(VOVWORLD) - Composer Van Dung, former head of the music department of the Voice of Vietnam, has passed away at the age of 86. During his music career, Van Dung, also former Chairman of the Hanoi Music Association, made great contributions to Vietnamese music with many well-known revolutionary songs.
 Composer Van Dung. (Photo: vietnamnet) |
The song “Liberation army on the march” was an early composition that made Van Dung’s name in music. The song depicts the contribution of Vietnam’s people and army during the anti-US war.
Most of Van Dung’s songs reflect young people’s active participation in national salvation and defence movements. He wrote the “Marching song of Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union” in 1970 to mark the Union’s 40th founding anniversary. After 50 years, it remains the traditional song of the Youth Union.
Many other songs about young soldiers during the war such as “My truck driving on Truong Son Trail”, “Moving toward Khe Sanh”, “ The victory song of Road 9” are still popular.
“Van Dung wrote many songs about young voluntary soldiers. He brought different emotions and feelings to each song he wrote, which made them popular with listeners,” said composer Pham Tuyen.
As a journalist, Van Dung wrote many songs about life and people’s emotions.
“Composer Van Dung contributed greatly to struggles for national independence with his many revolutionary songs. He had great knowledge not only in music but also in history, philosophy, and life,” said music critic Ho Quang Binh.
Van Dung is also known for his songs about the Communist Party of Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh. His songs about President Ho include “Flowers in Uncle Ho’s Garden”, “The Voice of President Ho Chi Minh”, “ Uncle Ho’s love for Pac Bo”.
Van Dung once said, “President Ho Chi Minh is a great flower grower. Each person is a beautiful flower in his garden.”
 Composer Van Dung writes many songs about President HCM, including “Flowers in Uncle Ho’s Garden”. (Photo: danviet.vn) |
In peace time, Van Dung wrote romantic songs, including “Love song in the mine land” and “Hoang Lien forest and me”. He also composed music for dramas and films.
“I really admire composer Van Dung. His life was so simple, and so were his songs. He was a composer and a journalist. His songs were simple, but very impressive,” said People's Artist Trong Bang.
Van Dung’s contribution to music was acknowledged by the State with a second class Labor Order and a State Award for Literature and Arts in 2001. He will be deeply missed.