Composer’s family presents national anthem to State, people
The National Assembly Office held a ceremony in Hanoi on July 15 to receive the national anthem Tien Quan Ca (The Marching Song), donated by family members of late composer Van Cao (1923-1995), and to bestow the composer with the Ho Chi Minh Order.
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Speaking at the ceremony, NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan expressed her deep and sincere thanks to Nghiem Thuy Bang, the composer’s widow, and her family members for their good will.
The Party and State always appreciate and highly value the significant contributions of composer Van Cao to Vietnam’s music, literature and the arts, she stressed.
She echoed that ‘The Marching Song’ will forever be a common, invaluable asset of the entire nation, adding that the lyrics and melody of the song, which are imbued with national patriotism and pride, are in the hearts of every Vietnamese citizen.
Also at the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam presented a certificate of merit from the Prime Minister to Nghiem Thuy Bang, the composer’s widow, in recognition of her efforts in preserving the composer’s works.
Composer Van Cao, born in 1923 in the northern city of Haiphong, composed ‘The Marching Song’ in 1944.
In early July, family members of the late composer signed a letter donating the song to the State and the Vietnamese people. The letter, signed by all the legal inheritors in the family, states clearly that the family is donating the song for free use by the State in any form.
