VietNamNet Bridge – An outdoor music gala will be held this week in HCM City on the 105th  anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh’s departure abroad to seek ways to save the country (June 5). It will also be the 40th anniversary of the day that Sai Gon- Gia Dinh was renamed after the President (July 2).

Extravaganza: Meritorious Artist Thanh Thuy of the 7th Military Zone Arts Troupe (left) will perform this weekend in the outdoor music gala Thanh Pho Ruc Ro Ten Nguoi (Shining HCM City - The City Named after President Ho Chi Minh). The event marks the 40th anniversary of HCM City being renamed after President Ho Chi Minh (July 2). -- VNS Photo

The event, called Thanh Pho Ruc Ro Ten Nguoi (Shining HCM City - The City named after President Ho Chi Minh), will feature dozens of veteran and young singers and bands, including pop stars Cam Van, Dam Vinh Hung, Ho Ngoc Ha, and opera singers Anh Bang and Thanh Thuy.

Patriotic songs in praise of the country, soldiers and President Ho Chi Minh, composed by gurus like Hoang Hiep and Phan Huynh Dieu, will be included.

Pop bands MTV and Giai Dieu Xanh (Blue Melodies) will perform new songs in pop, dance and electronic music, on themes related to youth, love and life.

The event is part of many cultural activities launched by the city’s People’s Committee in co-operation with Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism on the occasion.

It will open at 7pm on July 3 at Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street in District 1.

On Sunday, more than 1,500 people visited Sen Hong Stage on Pham Ngu Lao Street in District 1 to join the awards ceremony of the Song Composing Contest, which aimed to mark the 40th anniversary of the day the city was renamed after President Ho Chi Minh.

Young singers performed 20 popular songs, including two winning works 40 Nam Thanh Pho Mang Ten Bac (40 Years of the Day the City was Named after Uncle Ho) and Loi Ru Dat Nuoc (Lullabies of the Country), both written by artists from Thua Thien-Hue and Binh Dinh provinces.

The three-month contest received 111 songs submitted and created by 85 amateur and professional songwriters and musicians across the country.

“I’m an amateur in composing, but I was interested in joining the contest,” said young singer Y Jang Tuyn of the Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands) region.

“Through the contest, I wanted to show my love and respect for Uncle Ho, a national hero who devoted his life to the country and people,” he added.

The best songs will be published in a music book by the Tre (Youth) Publishing House next month.

VNS