US Ambassador Daniel Kritenbrink sings the rap song with the help of coach Wowy in popular tourist attractions in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, such as Hoan Kiem Lake, the Hanoi Opera House, and HCM City Post Office. (Image captured from clip)
In a music video released on its official Facebook page on late February 8, the US Embassy in Hanoi said “with all his affection for Vietnam, together with enthusiastic guidance from the amazing coach Wowy, #AmbassadorKritenbrink’s Lunar New Year musical masterpiece gained the praise of one of Vietnam’s top rap artist - Binz Da Poet, who called the Ambassador’s rap, “Amazing, Good Job!”
And already the song is proving a big hit on social media sites and has been featured in newspapers around the world.
The three-minute video starts off with Kritenbrink showing his enthusiasm for Rap Viet, one of the most popular reality shows in Vietnam last year, and then meeting with one of the TV show’s coaches, rapper Wowy.
“I’m Dan. I’m from Nebraska. I’m not a big city boy,” raps Kritenbrink while he walks the main streets in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with Wowy. “Then three years ago I moved to Hanoi.”
The Ambassador raps very skillfully with the help of rapper Wowy. (Image captured from clip)
Some of the lyrics are also rapped in Vietnamese.
Tet, Vietnam’s most important festival, marks the beginning of the new year according to the lunar calendar. Families come together across the nation to feast, drink and share li xi, or lucky money, with children.
“Check the calendar, Tet is coming soon. Can Tho and Da Nang are in the mood,” he continues.
“Clean the house now, friends are on the way. Cash for the kids, blessings for the family, love for my parents and everyone around me. Năm mới bình an (Happy new year) from mine to yours.”
The lyric is a mixture of English and Vietnamese as the ambassador sings “Xuan xuan oi, xuan da ve!” (Spring! Spring is finally here), calling Vietnamese to “clean the house now, friends are on the way” and “get ready to party from Ha Giang to Ca Mau.”
“Tet in Vietnam is the tops,” the lyric says.
Kritenbrink also shows his love for hotpots and “ca phe sua da” (iced coffee with condensed milk) and promises to bring “li xi” (lucky money) with him everywhere he goes.
The US Ambassador loves Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk. (Image captured from clip)
After the last three years in Vietnam, Ambassador Kritenbrink emphasised on Vietnam-US relations: "From the border of my country to the border of Vietnam, solidarity has been stable, the friendship has become eternal over the years. We are a reliable partner for mutual development."
He wishes everybody a peaceful New Year, singing “Our friendship endures, US and Vietnam, from now to forever. We’re trusted partners, prospering together!”
Daniel Kritenbrink has taken over his mission as the US Ambassador to Vietnam since October 2017. Previously he served as senior director for Asian affairs at the National Security Council.
Kritenbrink’s video isn’t the first time rapping has featured in America’s diplomatic efforts with Vietnam. In 2016, Suboi, one of Vietnam’s most popular artists, rapped to President Barrack Obama during an 800-person town hall meeting in Ho Chi Minh City. /.
