On November 13, the Ho Chi Minh City Music Association held a seminar with the theme "The role and responsibility of music workers in Ho Chi Minh City", to look back at the current situation of urban music life in the context of strong marketization, while re- positionalizing the responsibility of composers and performers in front of the public.
In his opening speech, the Organizing Committee emphasized President Ho Chi Minh's teachings: "Culture and art are also a front, brothers and sisters are soldiers on that front".
Although more than 70 years have passed, this view is still valid in the integration period, when music is not only art but also an important cultural industry. However, along with the rapid development of the internet, social networks and popular entertainment trends, manifestations of deviation from standards and pure violations of customs in music life still appear, posing an urgent need to "correct" composition and performance activities, as stated in Official Dispatch 69-CV/BTGDVTU dated October 24, 2025 of the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Committee of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee.
In the presentation, musician Nguyen Van Chung - representative of the Ho Chi Minh City Music Association - said that music has a profound impact on social awareness, especially for adolescents. A song about parents helps us remember our roots, a song about the Fatherland arouses patriotism. On the contrary, if the lyrics are distorted, vulgar, violent or encourage a lax lifestyle, it will have a negative impact, affecting the ethics and personality of the listener, he said.
According to musician Nguyen Van Chung, composers have the right to freely express personal emotions, but when determining to compose for the public, "social responsibility must be put first". He compared musicians to those who sow seeds: Music is not only to satisfy emotions, but also contributes to the formation of aesthetics and community personality. The social responsibility of artists is to lead the public towards beauty and humanity.
Faced with the question "Does tightening responsibility take away creative freedom?", musician Nguyen Van Chung thinks the answer is no. He affirmed: "Just like all plants turn towards the sun, art, despite its diverse styles, still needs the same direction - towards goodness. A musician can absolutely write about the hidden corners and dark sides of life, but needs to choose the appropriate language and message, helping listeners find sympathy and hope."
Regarding solutions, the musician proposed to increase professional activities in music clubs and clubs, in order to foster social awareness and professional ethics for composers. At the same time, management agencies should have a mechanism to reward and encourage works of humane value, while strictly handling offensive products that violate traditional customs.
The seminar is an opportunity for experts, artists and management agencies to look back at the role of music workers in the new era - where creative freedom and social responsibility are not opposite, but go hand in hand to build a civilized, identity-rich music life, contributing to the sustainable development of Ho Chi Minh City.
