Revealing the identity of the "second author" of the Vietnamese national anthem.

Composer Văn Cao, the first person to write "Tiến quân ca" (Marching Song), once admitted that there was another person who co-wrote this immortal song with him.

A precious photograph of composer Văn Cao and composer Đinh Ngọc Liên. Photo: Provided by the families of the individuals.

The son of composer Dinh Ngoc Lien, Colonel Dinh Thang Loi, provided valuable documents. Among them was a photograph with a handwritten note from composer Van Cao clearly stating: "A memory with my granddaughter Dinh Tuyet Lan (daughter of composer Dinh Ngoc Lien - PV) of the years spent with the great composer Dinh Ngoc Lien, who was my companion for many years in creating the first works. He was my co-author of the National Anthem of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, regarding the changes in rhythm."

According to Colonel Dinh Thang Loi, this was a respectful way for composer Van Cao to address composer Dinh Ngoc Lien.

He recounted: “Before the song “Tiến quân ca” (Marching Song) was sung during the flag-raising ceremony on the morning of September 2, 1945, composers Đinh Ngọc Liên and Văn Cao agreed to revise two words. Specifically, they shortened the length of the first “D” note in the word “Đoàn” (Union) and the “E” note in the middle of the word “xác” (remaining) to make the rhythm of the song stronger and more vigorous. And because of that, “Tiến quân ca” sang its heroic melodies on that historic morning in Ba Đình.”

During the flag-raising ceremony, the brass band, conducted by musician Dinh Ngoc Lien, performed the "Marching Song." This image will forever remain immortal, closely associated with the nation's National Day. Besides "Marching Song," the band also performed songs such as "Vu Khuc Tung Binh" (Luong Ngoc Trac), "Diet Phat Xit" (Nguyen Dinh Thi), and several other musical pieces.

This image shows musician Dinh Ngoc Lien conducting the orchestra during the flag-raising ceremony on September 2, 1945. The photo is provided by the family of the person concerned.

According to Colonel Dinh Thang Loi, during the resistance war against the French, the orchestra conducted by musician Dinh Ngoc Lien became a military band battalion, performing on the day the Central Committee of the Party and Government, along with President Ho Chi Minh, returned to the capital (November 1955). Throughout the years of the resistance war against the French, he arranged and adapted many revolutionary songs, marking the first steps of what would later become Vietnamese instrumental music.

Composer Dinh Ngoc Lien is also the author of several brass band compositions such as:The Victory at Phu Thong, Spring Victory, The Seaport is Ours, We Have Uncle Ho, The Outpost Watchtower, Funeral March...For his contributions, he was awarded the title of People's Artist (1988) and the Ho Chi Minh Prize (2017).

Speaking about composer Dinh Ngoc Lien, composer Do Hong Quan, President of the Vietnam Musicians Association, said that he was one of the veteran figures of Vietnamese music. His instrumental works made a great contribution to the nation's revolutionary resistance.

"He dedicated his entire life to composing and developing instrumental music. He and his brass band played the first revolutionary musical works and elevated them into classics such as..."Marching Song, For the People, Selfless Service, Lo River, Vietnamese Soldier, Through the Northwest Region, Leader's Song...

"These compositions and special works are still used today as theme music on the Voice of Vietnam (VOV), radio and television stations, and as bugle calls for the Vietnam People's Army," composer Do Hong Quan emphasized.