Composer Hoang Ha.

HCM CITY (VNS) — Renowned composer Hoang Ha passed away at Le Loi Hospital in Vung Tau City on Wednesday. He was 84.

Ha, whose given name is Hoang Phi Hong, was born in Ha Noi. After the 1945 August Revolution, he joined the army.

Ha composed his first song when he was just 18, and became a member of the Viet Nam Musicians Association (VMA) in 1957.

After finishing his studies at the Viet Nam School of Music in 1962, he began working for the Radio Voice of Viet Nam. In 1985, he moved to Vung Tau.

He has written numerous songs that depict his love of life and love for the country. One of his famous songs is Dat Nuoc Tron Niem Vui (The Nation is Full of the Joys of Reunification), which he composed on April 26, 1975, four days before liberation of South Viet Nam.

He also wrote and composed several popular children's songs like Con Meo Ra Bo Song (The Cat Travels on the River Bank) and Hoa La Chao Xuan (Flowers Welcome Spring).

Ha won many top prizes for his compositions, and was awarded the Labour Order, First Class in 2002. — VNS