People's Artist Quốc Hưng will perform at 'Ký Ức Điện Biên' concert on May 4. Photo courtesy of Việt Nam Contemporary Art Theatre

HÀ NỘI Artists from the Việt Nam Contemporary Art Theatre will perform at a concert on May 4 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Điện Biên Phủ victory (May 7, 1954 - May 7, 2024).

The concert entitled Ký Ức Điện Biên (Điện Biên Memory) is directed by People's Artist Trần Bình with performances by popular and established artists including Quốc Hưng, Tân Nhàn and Xuân Hảo.

"The concert will take audience back to the past and help recall the Điện Biên Phủ battle victory," said director Bình.

"The artists will sing patriotic and romantic songs aiming to honour the national historic period and inspiring national pride.

"The historic victory of Điện Biên Phủ is a brilliant milestone for the Vietnam People's Army and Vietnamese people and their army in the struggle against French colonialism in the 20th century. Victory became a symbol of Vietnamese heroism and strength."

Newly-composed songs Ký Ức Điện Biên by musician Tùng Lâm, Tình Ca Tây Bắc (Love Story in Tây Bắc) and Tiếng Khèn Mùa Ban Nở (Sound of Panpipe in Ban Flower Season) featuring Điện Biên at present will open the concert.

The highlight will be the songs Trên Đồi Him Lam (On Him Lam Hill) and Bình Trị Thiên Khói Lửa (Bình Trị Thiên Smoke and Fire) performed by Quốc Hưng.

Trên Đồi Him Lam was composed by late composer Đỗ Nhuận featuring the fighting on Him Lam Hill. In the Điện Biên Phủ Campaign, this was the location of the first Vietnamese victory.

The song, composed using folk melodies, expresses strong spirit and extreme determination of Vietnamese soldiers on the Him Lam battlefield.

"The 70th anniversary of Điện Biên Phủ victory is very special and it is an honour for me to sing at the concert," said Quốc Hưng.

Hưng is currently the head of the Vocal Department at the Việt Nam National Academy of Music. He is one of the leading vocalists of Vietnamese opera. Along with his teacher, People's Artist Trần Hiếu, he is thought to have the rarest and deepest bass voice in the country.

He has also been a familiar face at concerts in Hà Nội and HCM City for many years and regularly appears on stage recalling the glorious histories and praising the nation.

The concert will begin at 8pm at Hà Nội Opera House. VNS