Truong Ngoc Ninh - talented musician of "October Hanoi"

Musician Truong Ngoc Ninh is deeply attached to and has made many contributions to culture, art, especially music in the capital in many different positions. From composing, training, managing to organizing music spaces, he has devoted all his heart to Hanoi. The musician of the song "October Hanoi" shared that it is his passion and desire to contribute that has helped him maintain a steady creative rhythm throughout his long journey on the artistic path.

Talented and responsible musician

Portrait of musician Truong Ngoc Ninh. Photo: H.Tra

Meeting musician Truong Ngoc Ninh in the autumn days of “October Hanoi ” – the title of the song associated with his name, in the midst of a busy schedule of art program rehearsals and meetings with artists on the occasion of the 71st anniversary of the Capital Liberation Day, was a lucky thing. In a small house in the heart of the city, by the Red River and West Lake, the simple musician talked about his life attached to art, the army and Hanoi – the place that has nurtured his artistic soul over the years.

Musician Truong Ngoc Ninh was born in 1943 in Nghia Hung, Nam Dinh (now Ninh Binh). He said that he loved music since childhood, was lucky to learn violin and was soon recruited into the Military Region III Art Troupe. The years of carrying a guitar on his shoulder and traveling to battlefields, bringing music to serve the soldiers, witnessing the sacrifices and hardships of his comrades became a source of abundant emotions, a valuable material for his later compositions. While still in the army, he began composing for dances and ballets. After that, he was sent to study composition at the Hanoi Conservatory of Music (now the Vietnam National Academy of Music). This period of time helped him to improve his knowledge, conduct further research and compose many valuable works, including chamber music and lyrical songs that are loved by the public. Working at the Air Defense - Air Force, he continued to compose regularly, especially songs about soldiers and comradeship.

Musician Truong Ngoc Ninh with his comrades when he was still in the army. Photo: NVCC

In 1990, musician Truong Ngoc Ninh transferred to the Hanoi Department of Culture and Information (now the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports ), holding many important positions, including Deputy Director of the Department (1997–2003). During this time, he participated in directing many major programs of the capital. In particular, the art program celebrating the 990th anniversary of Thang Long – Hanoi, marked by the initiative to organize a grand opening drum performance.

In addition, musician Truong Ngoc Ninh was also invited to teach at the Military University of Culture and Arts, contributing to the training of many generations of famous musicians, such as musician Nguyen Ngoc Tu, musician Xuan Binh... Not only that, he also took on many important responsibilities in the association's work: Vice President of the Hanoi Music Association (2006-2016), President of the Hanoi Music Association (2016-2021), Vice President of the Hanoi Literature and Arts Association (2016-2021). He also contributed to the organization, management, and production of many famous bands such as Dong Doi, Sao Mai, Anh Em...

The most prominent feature of musician Truong Ngoc Ninh's artistic activities is his massive collection of musical compositions, with more than 500 songs in many different genres and themes. He composed many songs for the military forces such as "Private Soldier", "Peaceful Clouds", "Clouds Travel", "Love You", "Young Soldiers in Weapons"... Or songs with strong local colors such as "Hue in the late winter afternoon", "Boat to the small island", "Road to the weaving city", "Nostalgia for Thai Nguyen", "Lao Cai Afternoon", "Up to Tuyen Quang Great Forest", "October in Hanoi"... In addition, he also wrote many songs about industries such as banking, electricity, aviation, courts... and lyrical songs that left an impression in the hearts of music lovers such as "Spring Raindrops", "Dam San's Arms", "Spring Lullaby", "Going to the Market", "Thirsty Sea"... He also wrote many instrumental works, dance music, music for the stage such as "Thach Sanh", "Western Forest" (symphony)...

Musician Truong Ngoc Ninh was awarded the State Prize for Literature and Arts in 2007 for his excellent songs of high literary and artistic value, praising the country and people, contributing to building socialism and defending the Fatherland.

As long as there is breath, there will be contribution for Hanoi

Musician Truong Ngoc Ninh has contributed to Hanoi many outstanding musical works, notably “October Hanoi”, “O cua nhip pho”, “Pho trong lang”… The song “October Hanoi” is like a beautiful autumn picture painted with music. In each melody, each lyric, listeners can feel a gentle, romantic Hanoi that talented musician Truong Ngoc Ninh has entrusted. “October, autumn streets of Hanoi/October, autumn season/Listening to the cool breeze calling the season/The green autumn water in the lake/Afternoon, autumn leaves gently fall/The autumn in me is nostalgic/Thousand years of Thang Long, Dong Do, Hanoi/Old words lull me, lull me into life” … The work is regularly performed in art programs about Hanoi, and has even been chosen as the theme for many big music nights gathering famous artists.

Musician Truong Ngoc Ninh (left) and musician Tran Tien - who just received the Grand Prize of the Bui Xuan Phai Award - For the Love of Hanoi. Photo: NVCC

During his 15 years working at the Hanoi Department of Culture and Information, musician Truong Ngoc Ninh made many important contributions to the cultural and artistic fields of the capital. He advised on the approval of works and art programs towards the 1000th anniversary of Thang Long - Hanoi; directed art troupes and theaters of the city during major holidays; advised on naming streets, and drafted state management documents on culture and arts, contributing to promoting the sustainable development of the capital's cultural life.

From 2016 to 2021, as Chairman of the Hanoi Music Association, he led and directed many exciting activities, gathering many generations of musicians. In particular, he and the Executive Board of the Association regularly maintained the program of introducing new works by Hanoi musicians on the 15th of every month. This is a very meaningful activity, contributing to promoting the activities of the Hanoi Music Association to flourish day by day, expressed through new compositions by musicians writing about Hanoi, enriching the cultural and spiritual life of the people of the Capital, responding to changes in life, especially the current musical life.

Together with the Hanoi Literature and Arts Association and the Hanoi Music Association, musician Truong Ngoc Ninh organizes the annual "Love of Hanoi" music nights to honor musicians of the Hanoi Music Association who have received the Ho Chi Minh Prize and the State Prize for literature and art, and to introduce to the public of the capital good musical works about Hanoi, thereby arousing the love and pride of the people for the capital and the country.

Although he is 82 years old, musician Truong Ngoc Ninh is still enthusiastically participating in artistic activities and is still present in the Arts Council of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports to review cultural programs. Tall and thin but agile, he smiles gently: "I have many old age diseases, but once I get down to work, I forget all my fatigue. Perhaps because of my passion, music gives me more energy to live."

Following the music life of the capital, he is always concerned about developing the music industry and the performance industry. After recent successful national concerts and programs with the participation of international artists attracting tens of thousands of audiences, he believes that Hanoi needs to continue investing to become the locomotive for developing the cultural industry of the whole country. “The cultural industry must be understood as making valuable art, having an audience, and being able to sell tickets. To do so, we must invest in performance technology, artist training, policies, modern equipment, and most importantly, a team of talented and professional artists,” he shared.

Upon receiving the news that the city had awarded him the title of Outstanding Capital Citizen in 2025, musician Truong Ngoc Ninh was moved and expressed: “I am very happy that my contributions have been recognized. This is the motivation for me to continue working. As long as I have breath, I will continue to contribute to Hanoi, the city that has nurtured and inspired my music.”

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/truong-ngoc-ninh-nhac-si-thang-muoi-ha-noi-tai-hoa-718946.html