A special musical event titled “Vietnamese Songs in Russian” will be held in Hà Nội Unversity to honour the extraordinary life and work of beloved teacher of generations Lê Đức Mẫn. Photo vov.vn

HÀ NỘI — Hà Nội University (HANU) will host a special musical event titled 'Vietnamese Songs in Russian' on May 10, honouring the extraordinary life and work of Lê Đức Mẫn, a distinguished teacher, poet and translator.

He has devoted decades to rendering Vietnamese songs into the Russian language.

In Việt Nam, the localisation of foreign songs has long been part of the cultural fabric. But the reverse, bringing Vietnamese music to international audiences through translation, remains a less well-travelled path. Quietly and persistently, lecturer Mẫn has walked that path for more than thirty years.

Now in his 80s, he continues to immerse himself in the craft of translation, delicately shaping Vietnamese lyrics into Russian while preserving their poetic essence and emotional weight.

“We’ve translated thousands of international songs into Vietnamese to absorb global music,” Mẫn said. “But the other way around? That’s rare. I just want to do a small part in bringing Vietnamese music closer to the world.”

Over the course of three decades, Mẫn has translated more than 60 Vietnamese songs into Russian. His collection spans iconic revolutionary anthems like Bài Ca Hồ Chí Minh (Song of Hồ Chí Minh) and Tiến Về Hà Nội (March to Hà Nội), to heartfelt ballads such as Cô Láng Giềng (The Girl Next Door), Mỗi Ngày Tôi Chọn Một Niềm Vui (Each Day I Choose a Joy), and even contemporary hits like Xin Chào Việt Nam (Hello Việt Nam). This rich spectrum reflects not only the diversity of Vietnamese music, but also Mẫn’s deep cultural sensitivity and linguistic finesse.

The concert coincides with several significant milestones: the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Việt Nam and Russia (1950–2025), the anniversary of the Điện Biên Phủ Victory (May 7) and Victory Day commemorating the defeat of fascism (May 9). It’s an event born from the heartfelt collaboration of former Russian language students and various departments at the Hà Nội University.

Born in 1941 in Hà Nam Province, Mẫn is a former lecturer at the University of Foreign Languages in Hà Nội, now known as HANU. For more than 35 years, he inspired generations of students — not just as a university lecturer, but as a teacher in every sense of the word. His legacy is marked not only by academic excellence, but also by a deep, enduring love for the Russian language and culture. In addition to his song translations, he has translated more than 40 literary works from Russian to Vietnamese, many of which are considered classics.

In 2017, he was awarded the highest translation prize by the Việt Nam Writers’ Association for his Vietnamese rendition of the comedy in verse Woe From Wit, by Russian playwright Alexander Griboyedov.

'Vietnamese Songs in Russian' is more than just a concert. It’s a heartfelt tribute from students to a beloved teacher and a rare cultural offering that invites Hà Nội’s audience to experience familiar melodies through a new linguistic and emotional lens. It’s music reimagined, where Vietnamese soul meets Russian lyricism — a blend of nostalgia, reverence and discovery. — VNS