Top 10 Most Beautiful Songs About Hanoi

‘…Hanoi, oh Hanoi! I remember the October autumn,
The schoolgirl's green uniform beneath the tall trees,
Hanoi, oh Hanoi! The memories never fade,
Hanoi, oh Hanoi! Forever in our hearts...’

The song 'Hanoi Night, When the Wind Blows' is a beloved classic among both Hanoi locals and admirers of the city. Released in 1993, the song, composed by Trọng Đài with lyrics by Chu Lai and Trọng Đài, was first performed by singer Tuyết Tuyết in a play of the same name by Chu Lai, staged by the Hanoi Drama Theatre at the Công Nhân Theatre. Although created for the play, this song's melodious and heartfelt tune quickly captured the hearts of music lovers nationwide, becoming an immortal piece in Vietnamese music.

The song evokes the feeling of an autumn afternoon, with ‘winds sweeping through the streets, the golden sunlight brightening every smile,’ the calls of street vendors, and the ‘schoolgirl’s green uniform beneath the tall trees,’ while painting a poetic image of ‘lonely leaves falling in the empty alley,’ a moment that resonates deeply with anyone who has ever felt a connection to Hanoi. Later, the song became a hit for female singer Mỹ Linh, solidifying its place in Vietnamese music history.

Details:

• Song title: Hanoi Night, When the Wind Blows
• Lyrics: Chu Lai, Trọng Đài
• Music composed by: Trọng Đài

'Stepping out into the early morning streets,
Strolling through the park,
Taking in the sights,
People greeting the dawn,
Watching the elderly doing their morning exercises,
And feeling a deep sense of peace,
Hanoi, a place so familiar...'

'Passionate Hanoi' is a beautiful song celebrating our beloved capital, composed by Nguyễn Đức Cường. With its upbeat tempo, lively rhythm, and vibrant energy, the song exudes the spirit of Hanoi.

This song brings to life a Hanoi that is intimate, welcoming, and incredibly simple. The lyrics are natural and filled with vivid imagery, capturing the essence of daily life in the city. As a result, in 2007, 'Passionate Hanoi' by Nguyễn Đức Cường won the Experimental Song Award at the Vietnamese Song Contest and quickly became a favorite among Hanoi’s youth. The song’s success also introduced Nguyễn Đức Cường to a wider audience. It was beautifully performed by male singer Hoàng Hải.

Details:

• Song title: Passionate Hanoi
• Composer: Nguyễn Đức Cường
• Music composed by: Nguyễn Đức Cường

'This season in Hanoi... the rains are absent.'
The chill of early winter, as your scarf flutters in the cold breeze.
The milk flowers stop falling, as you and I share a peaceful afternoon, the school bell ringing.
On Cổ Ngư street, we slowly walk back together...'

'Hanoi in the Rainless Season' is a song that emerged from the poem 'Farewell to Hanoi' by Bùi Thanh Tuấn. The talented composer Trương Quý Hải turned these poetic words into a beautiful song, which itself is like a romantic poem. The song became a major success, winning the hearts of many, and is deeply moving for anyone who listens, evoking a sense of longing.

The song paints a picture of Hanoi in the early stages of winter, with winds sweeping through narrow windows, bringing with them the unique scent of Hanoi’s cold season. The lyrics recall the comforting images of the city, especially those that can only be felt during Hanoi’s winter. These memories have become a personal feeling for every Hanoi native, blending human emotions with the beauty of nature. The song has been successfully performed by many famous singers, including Cẩm Vân, Hồng Nhung, and Mỹ Tâm.

Details:

• Song title: Hanoi in the Rainless Season
• Lyrics: Bùi Thanh Tuấn
• Music composed by: Trương Quý Hải

'Hey, Hanoi streets,
I still remember you, with the scent of yellow jasmine,
I still remember you, with the smell of milk flowers,
A quiet street,
The soft sound of a gentle rain,
Someone is waiting, with hair cascading down their shoulders...'

'Hey Hanoi Streets' was inspired by the poem 'Hanoi Streets' by poet Phan Vũ, written in December 1972, during the intense period of the Vietnam War when American bombers were attacking Hanoi. After reading the poem, composer Phú Quang set it to music, bringing the words to life with an emotional melody.

Phú Quang created a breathtaking portrait of Hanoi: ancient, tranquil, deeply moving, and imbued with affection (from the plane trees to the old, moss-covered rooftops). 'Hey Hanoi Streets' carries a muted, melancholic tone, as if the wandering artist, strolling through the old streets of the capital, captured the fleeting essence of time. Singers such as Bằng Kiều, Hồng Nhung, and Thanh Lam have delivered stunning renditions of this song.

Details:

• Song title: Hey Hanoi Streets
• Lyrics: Phan Vũ
• Music composed by: Phú Quang

'The waters of Hoan Kiem Lake still shimmer under the sky,
Filling the air with the sweet fragrance of the capital’s flowers.
The winds blow freely across the wide roads.
Echoing laughter reminds us of both joy and sorrow.
Hanoi, the city of faith, love, and hope,
Of our land today and tomorrow.
With every step, we walk with pride and dignity,
As the cannon fire continues to soar high...'

'Hanoi - A Place of Faith and Hope' is considered one of the most beautiful songs written about Hanoi, composed by the late Phan Nhân. He lived through the intense 12 days of bombing during the B-52 raids on Hanoi. It was during these courageous, proud moments that he wrote the famous song 'Hanoi - A Place of Faith and Hope'.

The composer recounts: 'I was in Hanoi at the time. The cold was biting. Amidst the explosions, I heard the cheers of the people: “It’s burning! It’s burning!”. The people of Hanoi were overjoyed, ignoring the danger. They rose from their shelters to cheer, their voices hoarse as they witnessed the enemy’s B-52 bombers go up in flames.' This moment of victory inspired him to create this song. With a steady rhythm and an immense sense of pride, the song highlights the majestic beauty of Hanoi, elegant and refined as it has always been for thousands of years. Renowned artists such as NSND Trần Khánh, Trọng Tấn, Việt Hoàng, and Đăng Dương have beautifully performed this iconic piece.

Details:

• Song title: Hanoi - A Place of Faith and Hope
• Composer: Phan Nhân
• Music arranged by: Phan Ngân

'No matter how far I travel,
My heart always longs for Hanoi,
Hanoi, my beloved capital,
A place of war and peace...'

'Remembering Hanoi' is a remarkable piece by the late composer Hoàng Hiệp, regarded as a classic of contemporary music from the late 20th century, expressing love for the city by the Red River.

This is considered the most famous song about Hanoi. What makes the song particularly meaningful is that it was written by a man from the southern region of Vietnam. Hoàng Hiệp moved to the North in 1954 and returned to the South after 1975. Nine years later, while reminiscing about his years in Hanoi, he was overwhelmed by emotions that led him to compose this song.

'Remembering Hanoi' features lyrics that stir the heart, evoking fond memories of the city’s landmarks. It highlights the iconic 'Hoan Kiem Lake's emerald waters', the 'Turtle Tower reflecting in the lake', and the 'newly built parks' symbolizing a rapidly developing Hanoi, a capital in constant growth. Many famous singers have performed this song, including: Cẩm Vân, Quang Dũng, Ngọc Tân, Mỹ Tâm, Hồng Nhung...

Details:

• Song title: Remembering Hanoi
• Composer: Hoàng Hiệp
• Music arranged by: Hoàng Hiệp

'Hanoi, everything is cheap, except for the price of friends
Hanoi, everything is affordable, except for the priceless bonds of humanity
Hanoi, everything feels melancholy, especially in the autumn
Hanoi, everything is joyous, inviting friends to the street-side beer stands
Hanoi in the rainy season, childhood friends wading through the streets, playing in the river
Hanoi in the winter, the scent of roasted corn fills the air by the old river dike...'

'Spontaneous Street' is a famous song by composer Trần Tiến, a musical piece that captures the essence of Hanoi with its simple, everyday life. The song portrays Hanoi's street-side beer culture, the joy of rainy season memories, and the warmth of the winter season with roasted corn vendors. It also speaks of the humble, timeless image of mothers wrapped in brown scarves, living through decades of change.

These simple yet endearing scenes are beautifully captured in the lyrics, stirring up deep emotions in those who love Hanoi. This song has been performed by many artists, including: Trần Tiến, Trần Thu Hà, Hà Anh Tuấn...

Details:

• Song title: Spontaneous Street
• Composer: Trần Tiến
• Music arranged by: Trần Tiến

'Here is Hoan Kiem, Red River, West Lake
Here, the spirit of the mountains and rivers, a thousand years old
Here is Thang Long, here is Dong Do, here is Hanoi
Hanoi, beloved
Hanoi, burning, the smoke fills the sky
Hanoi, roaring, Hanoi rises up
The Red River sings, Hanoi rises up....'

The song 'The People of Hanoi' was composed by Nguyễn Đình Thi, celebrating the history of Hanoi and its people, from the struggles of war to the triumphs of independence.

Composed in 1947 during the early days of the French resistance, the song captures the city’s wartime resilience. Initially titled 'A Song for a Hanoi Resident', it was written shortly after the evacuation of Hanoi following President Hồ Chí Minh's call for national resistance in December 1946. Though Nguyễn Đình Thi was not formally trained in music, the composition of 'The People of Hanoi' demands a high level of vocal skill and musical sensitivity. The song has been successfully performed by artists such as: Lê Dung, Trọng Tấn, Cao Minh, and Ánh Tuyết...

Details:

• Song title: The People of Hanoi
• Composer: Nguyễn Đình Thi
• Music arranged by: Nguyễn Đình Thi

'Hanoi in the autumn, the yellow of the tamarind trees, the red leaves of the maple
Nestled together, old streets, ancient houses, roofs of deep brown tiles
Hanoi in autumn, Hanoi's autumn
The fragrance of milk flowers fills the breeze
The green sticky rice arrives, sweet on small hands
Street-side green sticky rice, fragrant as footsteps pass by
West Lake in the autumn evening, the golden surface of the water calls from afar
The color of nostalgia, small snipe birds fluttering in the sunset.'

The song 'Remembering Hanoi's Autumn' is a famous composition by the late Trịnh Công Sơn. The composer shared the story of how this song came to life: 'In 1985, I was invited by the Soviet Ministry of Culture along with three colleagues. When I returned, I spent a month in Hanoi. Every morning, I wandered the streets of Hanoi with Thái Bá Vân (a critic of fine arts), meeting old friends. Every evening, we went to West Lake, lying by the shore with a bottle of Ararat, sipping and watching the snipe birds descend and take off.' The song 'Remembering Hanoi's Autumn' was born during this month of soul-stirring reunions.

The song reflects the melancholy of a love that blossomed only to be parted too soon, a longing that is both present and elusive, directed not to one person but to everyone. This universal sentiment has made the song resonate deeply with generations of music lovers. The song was famously performed by singer Hồng Nhung, who beautifully evokes the heartache of autumn in Hanoi.

Details:

• Song title: Remembering Hanoi's Autumn
• Composer: Trịnh Công Sơn
• Music arranged by: Trịnh Công Sơn

'Is it already August, and the autumn leaves have fallen, I wonder?
Since then, people have gone, silently filled with longing
Could you be the autumn of Hanoi?
The years of wear and tear, yet I keep searching for you...'

The song 'Could You Be the Autumn of Hanoi?' is inspired by a poem written by poet Tô Như Châu, originally a 320-word poem penned in August 1970 in Da Nang. The poem served as the muse for composer Trần Quang Lộc to craft the melody.

Composer Trần Quang Lộc first met poet Tô Như Châu while he was still a student at the National Conservatory of Music in Saigon, during his summer break. After reading Tô Như Châu's poem, he felt an immediate connection and immediately set to work transforming the poem into a song. The connection between the two creators resulted in a masterpiece.

The brilliance of Trần Quang Lộc lies in his ability to distill the most poignant verses from Tô Như Châu’s poetry and weave them into a haunting melody, with a flowing natural rhythm and an ethereal quality. The melody intertwines with the lyrics, subtly imprinting itself on the listener’s consciousness with lines that linger: 'The shadow of autumn awakens the heart as the season shifts / One day, my footsteps lead me back to Thăng Long, filled with sadness / Could you be the autumn of Hanoi? / On this autumn day, I lay the leaves for you to rest / Beneath the distant sky, the winds blow.' The song was officially released in 1972 and was first performed by the legendary singer Thái Thanh. It was later beautifully performed by singers Hồng Nhung, Thu Phương, and many others.

Details:

• Song title: Could You Be the Autumn of Hanoi?
• Lyrics by: Tô Như Châu
• Music composed by: Trần Quang Lộc