The song, composed by Nguyen Hai Phong, premiered on 5/12 within the framework of the Tinh hoa Viet 2025 Awards, recognizing contributions by individuals and groups in domestic culture and arts.

The "Essence of Vietnam" music video has garnered nearly 150,000 views within 17 hours of its release on YouTube. Video: Provided by the crew.

The music video features familiar voices: Lam Truong, Phuong Vy, Phan Manh Quynh, Bui Lan Huong, Isaac, Huong Tram, Bui Cong Nam, Lam Bao Ngoc, GreyD, and Cao Ba Hung. Artists from traditional performing arts, including cheo he (Vietnamese traditional comedic opera), mua bong roi (spirit dance), mua chen (cup dance), and nha nhac cung dinh Hue (Hue royal court music), also appear, showcasing cultural beauty through their movements and costumes. The film industry is represented by three actors from this year's popular films: Kaity Nguyen (Aerial Combat), Nguyen Hung, Lam Thanh Nha (Red Rain), and Ho Thu Anh (Tunnels: Sun in the Darkness).

Musician Nguyen Hai Phong shared that his inspiration came from a desire to preserve Vietnamese values with an accessible and relatable melody. He compared the songwriting process to collecting personal memories and experiences, then shaping them into lyrics.

The recording process spanned about 10 days. According to Nguyen Hai Phong, the final mix comprises around 500 sound layers, including vocals, instruments, and supplementary details. Some brief sections required hours of adjustment. When selecting singers, he prioritized an intimate feel and lyrical delivery that preserved the essence of Vietnamese music, encompassing vocal style, articulation, and emotional expression, rather than just fame.

Kaity Nguyen (center), Lam Thanh Nha (right), and Ho Thu Anh appear in character from their films in the "Essence of Vietnam" music video. Photo: Provided by the crew.

Directed by Kawaii Tuan Anh, the music video was produced in four days. Its script unfolds from the perspective of a young boy in a museum who discovers a mysterious box, leading him to explore cultural fragments. The director utilized this detail as a narrative device to introduce national artistic values to the audience. Due to the artists' varied schedules, the crew had to optimize time for lighting and set arrangements, sometimes necessitating continuous changes in filming locations.

Singer Bui Lan Huong noted that the song honors Vietnamese human values through powerful melody and imagery. Bui Cong Nam views the project as an opportunity to share a positive message with the audience, hoping its stories and melodies will inspire viewers.

The Tinh hoa Viet Awards are organized by Dai Doan Ket newspaper, the central agency of the Vietnamese Fatherland Front, in collaboration with ZOA Creative Media Company Limited. The organizers aim to honor cultural and artistic values embodying Vietnamese identity.

Tran Cuong