Hello, Vietnam

In my classes, I am often asked to sing. This country LOVES to sing. I do not. Well, let me amend that statement, I love to sing in the car, while running and while listening to The Sound of Music (my favorite musical). Before people, however, I do NOT like to sing. At the wedding I attended, I was repeatedly asked to sing but declined, saying 600 people was a few too many for me.

My students sing two songs for me frequently: one I have already mentioned I Say Gold and the second, Hello, Vietnam. Hello, Vietnam is written by a woman whose family is from Vietnam but she did not grow up here and is about her desire to learn about her heritage. You can hear it here: http://music.yeucahat.com/song/English/36612-Hello-Vietnam~Pham-Quynh-Anh.html
and the lyrics are below:

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 lyrics on
http://music.yeucahat.com/song/English/36612-Hello-Vietnam~Pham-Quynh-Anh.html
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