1. Composer Hoàng Vân and Song Dedicated to Teachers
(Excerpt from People’s Army Newspaper – Đỗ Thông, Xuân Miễn)
“Whenever we listen to The Song of the People’s Teacher, we are moved and proud of those “soldiers” on the cultural front — the teachers. For a long time, whenever November and Vietnamese Teachers’ Day approach, people think even more deeply about them with heartfelt gratitude, silently thanking composer Hoàng Vân for creating a work that has endured through the years.
The lyrics are so familiar:
‘Along the green roads of the Homeland, there are flowers with rich fragrances, there are songs that stir our hearts. This song, these flowers are as beautiful as you, teacher of the people. Your soul is fresh and green like the shade of the tropical almond tree, your heart burns brightly like the flamboyant flower…’
It can be said that Song Dedicated to Teachers is the most famous work on the theme of education for nearly half a century. The composer himself no longer remembered the exact date of composition, only that it was written in the early 1970s. At that time, the education sector was developing strongly, and the image of teachers was especially beautiful in everyone’s mind, represented by the slogan: “Everything for our beloved students.”
Teachers were admired not only by students but also by parents. As a result, many high school graduates chose to enter teacher-training colleges. Hoàng Vân wished to honor these young teachers who, from the very beginning of their careers, took on the noble mission of “shaping human beings,” a task that demanded love, ideals, and passion.
The song possesses a youthful, fresh melody and a lively rhythm. Its lyrics perfectly reflect the teaching profession:
‘Your soul is fresh like the shade of the tropical almond tree, your heart burns like the flamboyant flower.’
At the age of forty, the composer often performed this work in schools and before audiences, who welcomed it as a gift to the world of education. The song quickly spread throughout educational circles and was later broadcast on the Voice of Vietnam. Singer Mỹ Bình was among its most notable performers. Later, it became extremely popular in artistic performances within the education sector.”
2. “This Song Is as Beautiful as You – Teacher of the People”
There are songs that must be heard many times before they are understood, but there are also lyrics that, after being heard just once, remain forever engraved in our hearts. Their resonance continues to vibrate within us, inspiring us to compose the most beautiful melodies of life and nurture our deepest dreams. Hoàng Vân’s Song Dedicated to Teachers is one of those songs.
For every teacher, these lyrics are familiar:
‘Along the green roads of the Homeland, there are flowers with rich fragrances… This song, these flowers are as beautiful as you, teacher of the people…’
It is one of the most beautiful songs ever written about education.
The work is structured in two simple sections, with a stable and easy-to-sing melody and lyrics as sincere as a heartfelt confession. The music is youthful, cheerful, and slightly playful:
‘Your soul is fresh like the shade of the tropical almond tree, your heart burns brightly like the flamboyant flower.’
While listening, one feels as though flying alongside the teacher to every horizon, carrying noble dreams: bringing knowledge to remote regions, mountains, distant islands, and fishing villages. Thanks to teachers, many children have gained access to education. Teachers are proud to be “soldiers of culture,” growing within the heart of the Vietnamese homeland.
If the first verse evokes dreams, the second reflects hardships: sleepless nights preparing lessons and commitments to the struggle for independence. Students who became soldiers or traveled far away always kept memories of their teacher — of her gentle voice that awakened their ideals.
The teacher is proud to “sow beautiful souls,” inspiring young people to follow the example of revolutionary heroes. She proudly declares:
‘The youth beside me are the future of the Homeland.’
The song, written in the 1970s, answered the need to celebrate a new generation of teachers. Hoàng Vân composed it very quickly, in only a few hours. It first spread spontaneously within educational circles before being officially recorded and broadcast. The first memorable performance was by Mỹ Bình.
Even today, despite the passing years, the song remains as youthful as the souls of teachers themselves. It is considered a true “anthem” of the education sector and continues to resonate every November 20th. Teachers still sing proudly:
‘This song, these flowers are as beautiful as you — teacher of the people.’
Albums: Album, Album Songs for professions, Works, Songs, Songs for professions, Listening,
Year of composition: 1968
Verses 1 & 3
Along the green roads of the Homeland,
There are flowers with rich and deep fragrances,
There are songs that make hearts tremble,
These songs, these flowers are as beautiful as you,
O teacher of the people.
Your soul is fresh and green like the shade of the tropical almond tree,
Your heart is burning red like the flamboyant flower.
Like a bird flying to every region, you journey onward,
Carrying far away generations of Uncle Hồ’s children,
Proud as you are, soldier of culture,
Raised in the cradle of the Vietnamese homeland.
Verse 2
Beneath the night lamp, you stayed awake through countless nights,
In the militia trenches, you took part in many battles,
So many partings filled with memories,
The one who holds the pen, the one who holds the gun, the one who goes far away,
All keep your name in their hearts.
Your voice awakened so many dreams and ideals,
The heroic echo of the ancestors who built the nation.
You sow beautiful seeds within souls,
Following the example of the radiant revolutionary heroes,
The youth beside you are the future of the Homeland,
Growing in the cradle of the Vietnamese homeland.
Ending
Growing in the cradle of the Vietnamese homeland.
Đăng Dương
Mỹ Bình, Nguyễn Hữu Tuấn (piano)