Nhan Dan Newspaper releases Kenny G's 'Going Home' music video to promote Vietnamese tourism.

Attending the launch ceremony were Central Committee members: Le Quoc Minh, Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda Department, and President of the Vietnam Journalists Association; Tran Sy Thanh, Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi City Party Committee and Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee; Mr. Ho An Phong, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Mr. Que Dinh Nguyen, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper; Mr. Do Thanh Hai, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Television; Mr. Pham Manh Hung, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Radio; Ms. Nguyen Thi Su, Deputy General Director of Vietnam News Agency; and Mr. Nguyen Thuy Duong, Chairman of the Board of Directors of IB Group and Production Director of the "Kenny G live in Viet Nam" project.

The program was also attended by representatives from news agencies, airlines, and leading tourism and hotel corporations in Vietnam.

WHEN TOURISM IS EFFECTIVELY PROMOTED THROUGH MUSIC

In November 2023, saxophone artist Kenny G had an explosive performance in Hanoi during his second tour of Vietnam. At the "Kenny G Live in Vietnam" concert, jointly organized by Nhan Dan Newspaper and IB Group Vietnam at the National Convention Center on the evening of November 14, 2023, thousands of spectators were captivated by the sound of the American legend's saxophone playing famous songs associated with his name, including "Going Home".

After the concert, Kenny G appeared at famous landmarks in Hanoi on November 15th to film the music video for "Going Home". During the filming, Kenny G wrote a message by hand to express his affection for Hanoi and the Vietnamese audience.

"Hanoi is a wonderful city with wonderful people. Thank you for your warm welcome. Sincerely, Kenny G," wrote the American saxophone artist.

In the music video "Going Home," viewers can enjoy the saxophone melody of Kenny G's familiar song while admiring landmarks that hold cultural and historical value for Hanoi and Vietnam, including: Long Bien Bridge at dawn, Hoan Kiem Lake in the final days of the year, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, and the Temple of Literature. The thousand-year-old capital city is depicted with a beauty that is both peaceful, romantic, and majestic and ancient, set against the backdrop of a song familiar to millions of viewers.

Beyond showcasing top-notch music, through the music video "Going Home," Nhan Dan Newspaper and IB Group aim to spread the historical and cultural values ​​and beauty of the Vietnamese people, contributing to the promotion and development of tourism.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Le Quoc Minh, Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda Department, and President of the Vietnam Journalists Association, shared: As an important media agency in the Vietnamese press system, and the voice of the Party, State, and people of Vietnam, this is the first time Nhan Dan Newspaper has participated in promoting Vietnamese tourism with a music video instead of using its usual strengths such as news and feature articles...

"This idea originated from the Good Morning Vietnam program, initiated by Nhan Dan Newspaper and IB Group in 2023, where all ticket sales proceeds go to charity. We also invited legendary saxophone artist Kenny G back to Vietnam, and he appreciated the program's positive message. Therefore, he donated a saxophone to contribute to the charity fund. He also enthusiastically participated in the music video promoting Hanoi tourism – a product we believe will attract more attention than traditional tourism commercials."

According to the Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper, the entire filming and post-production process was completed early and with high quality. However, the copyright application process was quite detailed, involving many different contacts, so it took a long time. Nevertheless, with the goal of promoting as widely as possible the beautiful images of Vietnam and its people to friends around the world through the Internet, the Organizing Committee was very determined.

"Today, we are delighted that the product is complete and ready to be widely released, contributing to introducing Hanoi in particular and Vietnam in general to people at home and international friends," Mr. Le Quoc Minh affirmed.

Mr. Nguyen Thuy Duong, Chairman of IB Group Vietnam, stated: Promoting tourism through the "Going Home" music video will help optimize costs while ensuring effective communication, as "Kenny G's music lovers will definitely watch it immediately."

Expressing his emotion after watching the music video "Going Home" firsthand, Mr. Tran Sy Thanh, Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi City Party Committee, and Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee, affirmed that the music video has touched the hearts and emotions of listeners, bringing about special feelings about the thousand-year-old cultural capital.

According to Mr. Tran Sy Thanh, promoting tourism through music videos is a very effective method, as it allows images of Vietnam and its people in general, and Hanoi in particular, to reach a wide global audience at a reasonable cost.

"On behalf of the Hanoi city leadership, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Nhan Dan Newspaper and IB Group for implementing this project. Please allow me to consider this a meaningful gift from Nhan Dan Newspaper and IB Group to Hanoi on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of the Capital," Mr. Thanh expressed.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ho An Phong, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, believes that music is the shortest path to promoting tourism, bringing the beauty of Hanoi in particular, and Vietnam in general, to the world.

Highly appreciating the innovative approach of Nhan Dan Newspaper, Deputy Minister Ho An Phong expressed confidence in the project's reach and impact. "Watching the music video, viewers will ask themselves: Where is Hanoi? I want to go to Hanoi right now."

INTERESTING REVELATIONS ABOUT THE "GOING HOME" MUSIC VIDEO, UNIQUE IN THE WORLD

Sharing more at the event, Mr. Nguyen Thuy Duong said that it took the organizers 8 months to persuade Kenny G to agree to collaborate on the production of the music video. The reason is that this is Kenny G's only "Going Home" music video globally. Previously, the American saxophone legend only performed this song on stage, so only video clips recording the performances existed.

In addition, Kenny G is particularly "meticulous," setting very high standards regarding filming time, quality, and post-production editing.

"In the contract, Kenny G clearly stated that he could refuse the job if he was not in good health or if his technical skills were not up to par on set, affecting the quality of the product. He also requested to directly view the music video after post-production, and if he was not satisfied, he had the right to unilaterally refuse it," Mr. Duong revealed.

"After filming and post-production, Kenny G didn't change any details in the music video. Perhaps the beauty of Hanoi inspired him," Mr. Duong recounted.

The song "Going Home," from the album "Kenny G Live" (1989), won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance. It is Kenny G's most popular and well-known song, even being played daily on loudspeakers in supermarkets, train stations, and schools in many Asian cities for nearly 30 years.

According to The New York Times, the song has inspired many music students to study saxophone. "Going Home" is also one of Kenny G's most beloved songs worldwide.

* Also at the launch ceremony on the afternoon of April 19th, the Organizing Committee presented the music video "Going Home" to leaders of Hanoi city, tourism and hotel corporations, airlines, television stations, etc., in order to spread this special musical product and contribute to promoting Vietnamese culture and tourism to domestic and international tourists.