Hanoi appears peaceful, romantic, heroic and ancient in the music video for saxophonist Kenny G's hit song Going Home.

The Going Home music video takes tourists to Long Bien Bridge, Hoan Kiem Lake, Thang Long Imperial Citadel and the Temple of Literature, among other Hanoi landmarks.

Launched in Hanoi as a special production to promote Vietnamese tourism, the MV is the result of a collaboration between Nhan Dan Newspaper and the IB Group.

Nhan Dan Newspaper editor-in-chief Le Quoc Minh (left) presented the music video to Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh. Photo: Hoa Nguyen/The Hanoi Times

According to Le Quoc Minh, Editor-in-chief of Nhan Dan newspaper, this is the first time the media has used musicals to promote Vietnamese tourism instead of journalistic products.

The idea to produce this video stemmed from the Good Morning Vietnam program organized by Nhan Dan Newspaper and IB Group Vietnam last year.

"Legendary saxophonist Kenny G appreciated the good cause of the program and donated a saxophone to the charity fund. He also enthusiastically starred in a music video promoting Hanoi tourism – a product we believe will have a better impact than traditional tourism promotional videos," Minh said.

After his night concert at the National Convention Center on the evening of November 14, 2023, Kenny G went to famous landmarks in Hanoi the next day to shoot the music video.

According to Minh, all the filming and post-production has been completed long ago, but the copyright application process is quite detailed with many doors to knock on, so it's taking a long time to release the MV.

"However, we are very happy that the product has been released and has helped to introduce Hanoi and Vietnam to the world," said Minh.

Speaking at the launch, Nguyen Thuy Duong, President of IB Group Vietnam and production director of the project, said it took eight months to convince Kenny G to cooperate in the production because this is the only Going Home music video to be shot outdoors. Other Going Home videos were shot only when Kenny G was on stage.

"The artist was very demanding in terms of time, space and technology on location and in post-production. Fortunately, Kenny G was very excited to be part of this project. The final scene was completed when the Temple of Literature was lit up. The artist even asked us if we wanted to record more. After watching the demo version of the MV, he was very satisfied," said Duong.

Kenny G even wrote a card to say to the Vietnamese audience: "Hanoi is an amazing city with so many wonderful people. Thank you for the warm welcome. Love, Kenny G."

The producers of the music video have handed over this musical product to the leaders of the city of Hanoi, the hospitality industry, airlines, television stations... to promote Vietnamese culture and tourism at home and abroad.

Accepting the gift, Tran Sy Thanh, Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee, said that everyone who is Hanoian and loves Hanoi will be moved when watching Kenny G's music video Going Home. He thanked Nhan Dan Newspaper, Editor-in-Chief Le Quoc Minh and his partners for their concern for Hanoi and for fulfilling the heartfelt gift.

"This is a great product to promote the country's image, especially Hanoi's," Thanh said.

Kenny G on The Huc Bridge to Ngoc Son Temple.

Kenny G at the Temple of Literature.

Kenny G at Hoa Phong Tower by Hoan Kiem Lake.

Kenny G at the Temple of Literature, the oldest university of Vietnam..