Sweet and heartfelt songs about love and the city form a part of Da Nang's soul. It’s quite surprising for the writer to discover when examining songs about Da Nang. It is thought that a dynamic, modern, and vibrant city would be filled with youthful, vibrant melodies, but that is not the case. The music of Da Nang is predominantly characterized by love songs.

The beauty of Da Nang city during the fireworks festival. Photo: PHAM PHUNG

Singing along with Da Nang

When mentioning Da Nang, the first line that comes to mind is: “Oh Da Nang, hDanang in my heart is so deep and heavy/ Like the salty love of a father, like the spicy love of a mother.” These lyrics came to me quite simply through social media. One day I accidentally saw a clip of Meritorious Artist Quang Hao wearing a baseball cap, sunglasses, and a T-shirt standing and singing by the breezy bank of Han River. His humble and relatable performance, along with his heartfelt Quang accent, left a beautiful impression on me.

The lyrics resonate deeply, with lines like “Only after many hardships do we know where the sea is shallow and where the river is deep,” and “Only by understanding each other can we reach the shore.” It is still the same lyrical melodies as many homeland love songs, but the lyrics reflect the character and spirit of the people of Quang region - Da Nang. Through Quang Hào, I became familiar with the song “Da Nang, the Love of People” by composer Dinh Tham, and I learned that many singers across the country have performed this song, including Thanh Thanh Hien, Anh Tho, and Bui Le Man.

Referring to composer Dinh Tham, he is also the author of the song “Beloved Da Nang” which is rich in the lyrical essence of the homeland. This song has been cherished by many people, especially through the performance of singer Cam Ly. It begins with a line that evokes nostalgia: “It’s been a long time since I visited my hometown / In my heart, the longing lingers…” This theme continues through to the chorus: “All these years have brought ups and downs / We are like a stream flowing gently into the heart / Just like the joys and sorrows of life, Han River still flows / Oh Da Nang! Forever intoxicated by the flavor of that first kiss…”

In addition to the lyrical essence of the homeland reflected in songs about Da Nang, there are two other songs performed by bolero singers that resonate beautifully. One is “Da Nang in My Heart,” composed by Yen Vy and performed by singer Luu Anh Loan, with gentle melodies that showcase the city's tenderness: “Da Nang is so beautiful now, my dear / Factories, urban markets, schools, and parks / Today it reaches new heights / Spring is blooming in people's hearts / Laughter echoes everywhere in spring…” Through Long Nhat's rendition of “Da Nang on a unique sunny afternoon” by Nguyen Minh Anh, a truly enchanting picture of Da Nang is evoked: “Han River flows vast this afternoon towards the great sea / Along the breezy roads in the distant sky / Da Nang today walks beside you on a unique sunny afternoon / I deeply cherish the folk songs of Quang that touch the soul.”

Interestingly, even when Da Nang was composed by a musician within the framework of a major work, it still “falls” into the hands of Trong Tan, one of the renowned voices in revolutionary songs. Alongside the spirited tones, there remains a clear representation of a city filled with love songs. Take, for example, the song “Da Nang in my heart” by Truong Quang Tuan as performed by Trong Tan. The opening melodies are bold yet filled with affection: “At the foot of Hai Van Pass, a city is gradually growing, my homeland Da Nang…” and then the chorus erupts with heartfelt emotion: “Oh Da Nang, oh Da Nang, my beautiful port city / Though far away, I always remember my hometown, remembering my dear mother’s vast faith and the people of Quang.”

There are certainly hundreds of songs written about Da Nang, and many can easily be found on social media. Among them, several songs are beloved and enjoyed by the people of Da Nang, such as “Love for Da Nang” by Tran Ai Nghia, “Da Nang, the City I Love” by Manh Ho, “Da Nang, the City I Love” by Thanh Anh, “Eighteen Years on Han River” by Bui Cong Minh and Minh Khang, and “Sparkling Da Nang” by Le Dang Khoa. Many notable names in revolutionary music have also expressed their affection for Da Nang, including composer Huy Du with "Han River Echoes," set to the poetry of Dương Hương Ly, composer Tran Hoan with “Afternoon in Da Nang,” and composer An Thuyen with “Han River, My Love.”

Da Nang Then and Now

Quang region - Da Nang has long been a land that produces talented individuals and serves as a gathering place for the gifted. Alongside the scenic beauty of the city by Han River, the gateway to East Sea, the intertwining landscapes of mountains and sea create the city's unique charm. Together with the people of Quang region, who are known for their deep sense of loyalty and gratitude, this place has always been a source of longing and nostalgia for those who leave, regardless of their circumstances. When they return, even if just in their thoughts, it is always filled with emotion and reminiscence.

On the historic day of March 29, 1975, when Da Nang was liberated, musician Phan Huynh Dieu, a son of the city, was overwhelmed with emotion as he composed the song “Da Nang, We have returned”. This song intertwined collective joy with personal sentiment and was broadcast on the Voice of Vietnam during the midday program on March 30, 1975. The lyrics have since become part of the history of the city and the country: “My beloved Da Nang, the day we left / It has been thirty years of long resistance war…” In the spirited rhythm of this march, the heartfelt words about homeland resonate: “Oh Da Nang, my heart longs for you / Now my dreams are fulfilled.”

Quang region - Da Nang has now reached out to the vast sea, and it becomes a city that attracts elites, intellectuals, and youth from across the country. New love songs about a modern Da Nang are gradually emerging, harmonizing with the rhythm of the city's development. Many composers, who are not originally from Da Nang but have fallen in love with the city, express their feelings through their musical works. Notably, female composer Quynh Hop from Hanoi, now living in Ho Chi Minh City, released an entire album dedicated to Da Nang titled “Sparkling Han River” (2010). The album features famous singers such as My Tam, Dam Vinh Hung, Ho Quynh Huong, Ha Anh Tuan, Cao Thai Son, and Nguyen Phi Hung.

Everyone joins in to sing praises of the coastal city by Han River. The girl from Da Nang - My Tam raises her voice with the line: “Oh Da Nang, a sky-high spirit, March weaves countless dreams” from the song “bustling Da Nang”, written by Nguyen Duc Nam. Cao Thai Son performs “Night on Han River,” a poem by Le Van Nho; Ha Anh Tuan sings “Floating cable car,” a poem by Bui Cong Minh; and both Dam Vinh Hung and Ho Quynh Huong present the song “Da Nang, my love”, inspired by the poetry of Nguyen Ba Thanh.

Quang region - Da Nang seems to possess something unique; it can soothe the intense emotions of energetic artists, allowing them to temper their feelings while still retaining their distinct personalities. This transformation occurs as they immerse themselves in the space, the sky, the scenery, and the warmth of the people in Da Nang. I am referring to composer Le Minh Son and his very recent musical work about Da Nang titled “The sun and wind call you back”, which was released in the autumn of 2024. This song, performed by Quang Hao, carries a lyrical quality and deep emotion: “Look at Ba Na’s sunshine, salty like your falling sweat, falling for the golden rice in the evening,” and “Hoa Vang in the poetic afternoon, with herons that seem as real as the dreams my grandmother used to tell.”

Quang region - Da Nang has a different, youthful side showcased in the song “Welcome to Da Nang” by Hoan Vu Viet, released nine years ago and performed by singer Thien An. The lively rhythm and vibrant melodies open up a space filled with the joy of urban life in this city by the Han River. The lyrics describe: “A thousand flowers bloom brightly / Butterflies flutter like countless poetic ideas / Children joyfully head to school / Elderly people stroll in the park, laughing happily,” followed by: “The river flows endlessly / The streets are bustling with vehicles coming and going.” Ultimately, it serves as a declaration: “My friend, do you know about Da Nang / The most livable city in Vietnam…”

Adding to the collection of songs about Da Nang, there is the recent release “Wonderful Da Nang” by Only C, a modern musical piece created in line with the listening preferences of today’s youth immersed in electronic music. The lyrics are filled with a profound love for Da Nang. The young artist from Da Nang expresses nostalgia for his peaceful hometown, recalling the bridges, the traffic-free streets, the city that has both river and sea, and the familiar phrases like “rang rua chi mo te,” along with the warm smiles of its people. He longs: “As the sun sets, I want to return home / Whether it’s bun mam or nem lui here / They nourish my memories of youthful days / The sound of waves keeps crashing in my ears.” He uses these desires as motivation to pack his backpack with friends, not to return home but to travel around the world and tell everyone: “Da Nang, my hometown, truly wonderful / So why hesitates? Come here right away.”

“Wonderful Da Nang” is not just a youthful, catchy song with vibrant visuals; it also serves as an effective promotional music video for the city’s image as a tourist destination. Moreover, it helps fill the gap in the young music scene that aligns with current trends both domestically and regionally. There is a significant need for more youthful melodies in songs about Da Nang, similar to “Wonderful Da Nang”. There is a need to attract talented young faces to participate in creating new works for the city.

However, in the unity with Da Nang, there must still be love songs filled with human emotion, romantic love, and a deep affection for the homeland and its land. Therefore, in future plans, while encouraging young music, it is essential to ensure that we produce truly high-quality love songs that resonate beyond the city and find a place in the hearts of music lovers across the country, so that Da Nang can genuinely become a city of love songs.

Reporting by Music researcher NGUYEN QUANG LONG

Translating by HONG VAN