The event is being broadcast on HTV 9 every Saturday afternoon.— Photo phunuonline

HCM CITY (VNS)— A revolutionary-music singing contest has attracted a large number of young people in HCM City, where romantic songs rule the roost, taking some by surprise.

Nam Khanh, who is on the jury of Hat Ve Thoi Hoa Do (Singing War-era Songs) organised by HCM City Television and the Youth Culture House, said: "I am surprised that a large number of young people, many of whom are professional singers and students at the Conservatory of Music, have taken part.

"I mistakenly thought that only middle-aged and older people like war-era songs."

Khanh, who teaches vocal music at HCM City's Conservatory of Music, said he has been impressed to see contestants beautifully performing songs written decades ago.

The second season of the contest for people aged 16-35 started four months ago and is entering the final stretch.

It was very successful last year, the organisers said.

The event is being broadcast on HTV 9 every Saturday afternoon.

The four finalists will perform at a concert next month at the HTV Theatre, which will be broadcast live on HTV9.

The performances this year have received praise from viewers.

"Besides romantic songs, we also like patriotic songs and marching music," Vo Minh Dao of Vo Thi Sau Secondary High School in Binh Thanh District, said.

"The music inspired the nation during its wars for independence, and still wins the hearts of generations of Vietnamese," the 17-year-old said eloquently.

"When we listen to these wartime songs, my friends and I get the feeling that everybody shared the determination to win the war."

According to many viewers, only on this programme can they still hear some iconic songs like Len Dang (Start Off), Tren Dinh Truong Son Ta Hat (Singing on top of Truong Son Mountain Range) and Ha Noi, Niem Tin va Hy Vong (Ha Noi, Belief and Hope).

Otherwise these songs are mostly used to teach students at music schools or are performed at celebrations to mark national holidays, they said.

Musician Thap Nhat, who selects the songs for the contest, said: "The competition aims to honour war-era songs. It also helps young people know that each historical period … leaves its own imprint on the songs of the day."

Nguyen Quy Hoa, HTV general director, said: "We are optimistic that city audiences find the contest attractive."

"The large number of young people entering the contest, the quality of their performances, as well as the warm welcome from audiences show that wartime music will continue to inspire the young generations." — VNS