HCM CITY — Famous Vietnamese singers will perform in a concert to commemorate late songwriter Trịnh Cong Sơn, a legendary Vietnamese musician, in HCM City on April 1. 

The concert, marking the 21st death anniversary of the songwriter, will feature Ha Le, Hiền Thục, Tấn Sơn, Duyen Quỳnh and Ha Vi. 

The singers will perform Sơn’s popular works, such as Nắng Thủy Tinh (Crystal in Sunlight), Hạ Trắng (White Summer), Ru Tình (Lullaby to Love), Diễm Xưa (Diễm, My Cherished Old Flame), and Nối Vòng Tay Lon (Circle of Unity),

The show will feature young actors from the movie Em va Trịnh (You and Trịnh), including Avin Lu, Lan Thy Samuel An, Nakatani Akari, Nhật Linh and Viet Hưng.

Produced by Galaxy Studio, Em va Trịnh portrays Sơn and his music in the 1960s and 70s.

The film, directed by Phan Gia Nhật Linh, features Alvin Lu, Lan Thi and Hoang Ha, who were chosen from over 500 candidates from Ha Noi, Huế and HCM City to play the leading roles.

It is expected to premiere this month. 

 Born in Huế in 1939, Sơn became popular in 1957 with his first song Ưot Mi (Crying Eyes).

His lasting legacy includes albums of romantic love songs, such as Diễm Xưa and Ru Tình, released in the 1960s and 70s.  

Diễm Xưa is well-known in Japan, where it was introduced through singer Khanh Ly in Osaka in 1970. Later, the song was written in Japanese, titled Utsukushii Mukashi, and was listed among Japan’s top 10 favourite love songs.

Sơn went on to become southern Viet Nam’s most famous songwriter of anti-war music collections, including Ca Khuc Da Vang (Yellow Skin Song), Kinh Viet Nam (Vietnamese Prayer) and Ta Phải Thấy Mặt Trời (We Must See The Sunlight).

He is considered the “Bob Dylan of Viet Nam.” 

He died in HCM City in 2001 after a prolonged illness.

The concert will be held from 4:30-6:30pm at the HCM City Book Pedestrian Street on Nguyễn Văn Bình Street in District 1.

It will be streamed on Facebook fanpage of movie Em Va Trịnh, and Đai Phat Thanh’s Facebook page. — VNS