From my perspective as an international student who is currently studying in the Netherlands, reminiscing about the melodies with a distinct Hanoi flavor: Beneath the rows of trees, on the ancient streets, the historic city walls, and the swaying tiled roofs in the Old Quarter, or the faint nightly calls of street vendors, wandering indistinctly under dim streetlights. From the organized chaos of the emerging new Hanoi, houses squeezed together, people jostling for space, work overlapping with work... all these elements remain boundless sources of inspiration, captivating generations of artists, especially writers and poets, who have poured ink onto countless pages. For musicians, well, there's no need to elaborate. They pour their passion, nostalgia, dedication, and perhaps even their entire musical lives, all in the hope of modestly capturing the essence and soul of Hanoi.
As a Hanoian, everyone has, at some point, let their soul wander with a fleeting autumn breeze, leading to a lifelong deep and fond remembrance. Hanoi's autumn is truly beautiful, and that's why the musician Tran Quang Loc, although originally from Quang Tri, couldn't resist composing the sweet melodies of "Có Phải Em Mùa Thu Hà Nội" based on the poetry of Tô Như Châu. This composition has been etched into the memories of many generations of Vietnamese music lovers.
Many famous voices have covered this song, but perhaps the most emotionally resonant, leaving the deepest impression, is the rendition by Thu Phương. Even though she currently resides in the United States and is not a native of Hanoi, the subtlety with which she interprets the song conveys the message that Hanoi belongs to everyone, including herself.
For me, those singers born and raised in Hanoi bring their own personal touch when performing songs about the city. It becomes a part of their childhood memories, a warmth of family within the neighborhood, in a Hanoi space that is both tranquil and lively, intricately woven into the solitary sky of an artist's soul. Bằng Kiều, another Hanoi native, even after settling in the United States, affirms his "authentic Hanoi" position in the hearts of fans through his rendition of "Em ơi Hà Nội phố." I can vividly feel the Hanoi spirits flowing through each note.
In the quest for unfading childhood memories in "Hà Nội Đêm Trở Gió" by Trọng Đài, with lyrics by Chu Lai, Hanoi is portrayed in a different light — a gentle, luminous Hanoi gracefully flowing in the stream of life. This is particularly evident when the song is delivered by Mỹ Linh, a singer who has matured in Hanoi. Mỹ Linh's success with this song from the 90s continues to be seen as an icon of Hanoi love by students. To me, Mỹ Linh's voice is not just music; it embodies the emotions of someone returning to their homeland.
While the 36 streets and wards of Hanoi are bustling with change, new urban structures sprouting like "mushrooms after the rain," there are still individuals sensitive to their own fate, immersed in memories. In the old days, Hanoi streets were serene, with people and streets close-knit, the scent of Milk Flower always lingering in the air. This is clearly expressed in the song "Hoa Sữa" by Hồng Đăng, sung by the spirited Thanh Lam, who also carries the soul of Hanoi within.
Milk Flowers have always been a symbol of love, where young couples share whispered kisses beneath the simple trees, freely exuding a sweet fragrance. Although no specific mention of Hanoi appears in the lyrics, just the mention of Milk Flowers instantly conjures up a vivid image of Hanoi for music lovers.
Indeed, Hanoi has never belonged to anyone alone. Even if the singers performing these songs were not born and raised in Hanoi, it doesn't hinder the profound emotions they feel for this land of "Old paths with horse-drawn carriages, autumn souls, ancient castle shadows." Cẩm Vân, for example, is a representative case. Born in Saigon, when she interprets the song "Hà Nội Mùa Này vắng Những cơn Mưa" by Trương Quý Hải and Bùi Thanh Tuấn's poetry, listeners can't help but marvel at the genuine sentiment of a Hanoi soul, as if she, too, were cradled in the arms of this storied land.
So, as Hanoi's 36 streets and wards are in constant motion, with towers, central buildings, hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, and dance floors sprouting up like "mushrooms after the rain," the towering structures, though they seem to gradually obscure the ancient sky of Hanoi, the higher the buildings, the smaller and more forgettable the human presence becomes. Yet, somewhere, there are still individuals sensitive to their own fate, immersed in memories. In the old days, Hanoi's streets were tranquil, and people were close to one another. The scent of Milk Flower along the streets always carried the fragrance of love and longing, creating a tangible feeling as vividly portrayed in the musical composition "Hoa Sữa" by Hồng Đăng, through the distinctive voice of Thanh Lam, another artist deeply connected to the spirit of Hanoi.
For Hanoians, Milk Flowers symbolize romantic rendezvous and secret kisses exchanged under the modest trees. Though not explicitly mentioned in the lyrics, just hearing about Milk Flowers immediately paints a picture of Hanoi for music lovers.
Truly, Hanoi has never belonged to anyone alone. Even if the singers performing songs about Hanoi were not born and raised in the city, it doesn't diminish the intense emotions they have for this land of "Old paths with horse-drawn carriages, autumn souls, ancient castle shadows." Cẩm Vân is a prime example. Born in Saigon, when she interprets the song "Hà Nội Mùa Này vắng Những cơn Mưa" by Trương Quý Hải and Bùi Thanh Tuấn's poetry, listeners can't help but marvel at the genuine sentiment of a Hanoi soul, as if she, too, were cradled in the arms of this storied land.