Music composer Phu Quang: All men feel regret about pain they cause to their wives

I like famous Russian writer Maxim Gorky’s saying “Without women we do not have heroes and poets”. Therefore, my mother is the most respectable woman I admire in my life, and that is unchangeable.

To mark this year’s International Women’s Day (March 3), I organised a special programme entitled Simplicity at the Hanoi Opera House. First, the programme aims to honour women, and second, it was a chance for men to “butter up” their wives to admit and show regret for pain they have caused to their wives because they are too much devoted to work. 

Music composer Van Ky: Women bring love and inspiration to me through artworks

My passion for music originated from an unfinished love. When I was 18 years old, I did not attend any music school and only composed songs in an unprofessional way. My first song about love was named The Old Moonlight which was later sung by many singers. The love aroused my passion for music and to become a professional music composer today. In my songs, love always goes first and then comes the major theme.

In my life, women bring love to me and inspire me through artworks, and in turn, any artwork requires inspiration stemming from love.

Journalist Le Quang: It would be a disaster if the world had only men

Without women, we would not have literature and arts, poetry, painting and stage art. It will be very boring if one day only men live in this world. Therefore, in my mind is the image of women who can be mothers, sisters, girlfriends and wives. Women usually inspire us in artwork, and we cannot develop artistic creativity without them.

Poet Pham Tien Duat: Poetry and women have one thing in common: the beauty

Poetry contains the beauty which can be compared with that of women. It cannot be a poetic work if the word em (it literarily implies a female person) is omitted. The 21^st century is said to be the century of women. Many female poets compose poetry very beautifully. I think there will be more good female poets in the future, and themes about women will also be further expanded.   

The image of women in my mind is varied, given different historical periods. They were volunteer girls on the fierce battlefield during the anti-US resistance war, and are successful young entrepreneurs at present. We have many young women who have a rather high command of foreign languages and scientific knowledge and do business efficiently. No one can deny their advantages in conversations, particularly with foreign partners. In business activities, they are more honest, gain higher prestige and corrupt less than men. Perhaps I will compose a long poem about them.

State worker Thai Luong: I am grateful to the women I have met in my life and love them all.

On March 3, I think of my mother, my wife and my daughter, as well as my female colleagues. Women are always part of my life. I am grateful to women I have met in my life and love them all, after my wife of course. I also composed a poem entitled fair hair as a small gift from the bottom of my heart to my wife, which goes Your hair now turns white, Our love affair is eternal, Despite your fair hair, You live eternally in my mind.

Student Le Xuan Tien: I always think of my mother first

On March 3, the first person I think of is my mother who has worked very hard her whole life for her husband and children. My mother never thinks of herself, but others. She even never thinks of being presented with March 3 gifts as she knows people still lead a hard life. I love my mother best, particularly on this occasion.