Hello Vietnam, Xin Ciao Vietnam

Sitting on the dock of the bay in the prison island of Phu Quoc

I found this song while on a catamaran sailing to the old prison island (now resort paradise) of Phu Quoc.

Sung by a 23 year old Belgium born Vietnamese girl whose parents met there, it really resonates with me as an Australian born Vietnamese lad who’s parents met in Melbourne. Her name is Pham Quynh Anh and her sentiments echo those of my own.

Like her, my whole life I’ve wondered the notion of home and identity. If I wasn’t born in Vietnam, am I Vietnamese?

Reflecting on my life, I so know that in my weakest moments it has always been the innate Vietnamese spirit of resilience that has seen me through.

Vietnam has been a country forged by war. It has stood up to all the great warring nations of the world, we’ve defeated ancient Chinese rulers twice, stymied the Mongol Hordes twice, while the great armies of France, Japan, Britain, America each attempted hold our lands to no avail. Our blood flows with a fighting and winning spirit.

That aside, this wonderful song by Pham Quynh Anh really captures the essence of why I came back to Vietnam. I find myself restraining tears as I listen to this song, because I too have come back to learn of my homeland, my culture and my ancestry. I came to be with my people; among the vistas of luscious green and pure cerulean blue, under the blazing red sun lives my nation of golden people.

Tell me all about this name, that is difficult to say.
It was given me the day I was born.

Want to know about the stories of the empire of old.
My eyes say more of me than what you dare to say.

All I know of you is all the sights of war.
A film by Coppola, the helicopter’s roar.

One day I’ll touch your soil.
One day I’ll finally know my soul.
One day I’ll come to you.
To say hello… Vietnam.

Tell me all about my colour, my hair and my little feet
That have carried me every mile of the way.

Want to see your house, your streets. Show me all I do not know.
Wooden sampans, floating markets, light of gold.

All I know of you is the sights of war.
Hello Vietnam
A film by Coppola, the helicopter’s roar.

One day I’ll touch your soil.
One day I’ll finally know my soul.
One day I’ll come to you.
To say hello… Vietnam.

And Buddha’s made of stone watch over me
My dreams they lead me through the fields of rice
In prayer, in the light…I see my kin
I touch my tree, my roots,my begin

One day I’ll touch your soil.
One day I’ll finally know my soul.
One day I’ll come to you.
To say hello… Vietnam.

One day I’ll walk your soil
One day I’ll finally know my soul
One day I’ll come to you
To say hello…Vietnam
To say hello…Vietnam
To say xin chào… Vietnam