The song "Viết tiếp câu chuyện hòa bình," performed by Võ Hạ Trâm and Đông Hùng during the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Southern Liberation and National Reunification Day (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025) in Ho Chi Minh City, reached the top spot on YouTube. As of the morning of May 8, 2025, the song has garnered over 2.3 million views, just eight days after being uploaded.
Musician Nguyễn Văn Chung expressed his joy and pride that his song is loved by the audience. He shared on his personal page, "Lần đầu tiên bài mình được #1 top trending YouTube (dù không phải kênh của mình) nhưng vẫn vui! Hihihi. Tự hào quá. Xin cám ơn mọi người đã yêu mến bài hát của mình. Xin cám ơn Trâm và Hùng nhé," which translates to, "For the first time, my song is #1 trending on YouTube (even though it’s not my channel), but I’m still happy! Hihihi. So proud. Thank you everyone for loving my song. Thank you Trâm and Hùng!"
Võ Hạ Trâm shared her excitement over the song's success, stating that it is not only a joy for her and Đông Hùng but also a well-deserved reward for musician Nguyễn Văn Chung and singer Nguyễn Duyên Quỳnh, who first performed the song in 2023. "This achievement is a fitting tribute to Nguyễn Văn Chung and Nguyễn Duyên Quỳnh for bringing such a beautiful and meaningful song to the audience," she said.
Nguyễn Văn Chung, the composer of "Viết tiếp câu chuyện hòa bình," clarified the meaning behind the lyrics when a fan questioned the phrase "khói binh" in the song. He explained, "Khói binh in the song, I take from 'khói lửa binh đao.' There’s a phrase we often hear: 'lầm than khói lửa với binh đao.' Khói lửa refers to the times of invasion that cause suffering, while binh đao refers to the continuous wars. I combined the two terms to convey two meanings. First, 'khói lửa binh đao' represents invasions we must fight against. Second, 'khói binh' symbolizes wars from ancient times to the present, from when our ancestors fought with sticks and swords to now with guns. Soldiers on the battlefield or at the home front are willing to sacrifice. That is the patriotic tradition of our ancestors and our nation throughout history. That’s why I used the term 'khói binh' to encapsulate that meaning."
"Viết tiếp câu chuyện hòa bình" was composed by Nguyễn Văn Chung in 2023 as part of an album celebrating the homeland and country, featuring singer Duyên Quỳnh. The song carries a message of peace, evoking love for the country and national pride. The remix version sung by Duyên Quỳnh has accumulated over 4 billion listens across various platforms, particularly during the 50th anniversary celebrations.
Due to the song's significant impact, comparisons have emerged between the original singer, Duyên Quỳnh, and the new rendition by Võ Hạ Trâm and Đông Hùng. Many comments surfaced online debating which version deserved to be performed at the April 30th celebration. In response to these discussions, Nguyễn Văn Chung stated, "Though we haven't reached a formal agreement, in my heart, I always consider Nguyễn Duyên Quỳnh the exclusive singer of this song. Quỳnh has persistently helped bring the song closer to the audience since late 2023, allowing it to resonate strongly and be chosen as one of the songs for this important national day."
Nguyễn Duyên Quỳnh and Võ Hạ Trâm are known to be close colleagues who support each other in their artistic endeavors. Amidst the online chatter, both singers maintained a friendly interaction on social media, subtly dismissing any negative rumors. Nguyễn Văn Chung further emphasized that the emotional reactions from Nguyễn Duyên Quỳnh in videos were due to happiness and excitement, not a display of discontent, as some online comments suggested.
The performance of "Viết tiếp câu chuyện hòa bình" by Võ Hạ Trâm and Đông Hùng at the April 30th celebration is currently available in various versions on YouTube, achieving impressive viewing figures. Meanwhile, Nguyễn Duyên Quỳnh continues to promote the song with multiple music videos and short clips, further solidifying its place in the hearts of the audience.
As the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Southern Liberation and National Reunification Day continues, the song "Viết tiếp câu chuyện hòa bình" stands as a poignant reminder of the country's history and the enduring spirit of its people. With its powerful lyrics and heartfelt performances, it captures the essence of a nation that has overcome adversity and strives for peace.
