Le Cat Trong Ly

In 2008, this young girl from the central province of Da Nang amazed the local music community with her incredible victories, including Best Song of The Year and Potential Songwriter at the “Bai Hat Viet” (Vietnam’s Songs) songwriting contest with her soulful and poetic song titled “Chenh Venh”.

Since then, the student from the Da Nang University of Foreign Languages has continued to enchant many fans with her distinctive singing voice, the ability to play musical instruments, and a distinct songwriting style.

The 25-year-old singer’s music is inspired by local music veterans like Le Uyen Phuong, Trinh Cong Son, Khanh Ly, Tran Tien, Hong Ngoc, Phuong Thao and Ngoc Le.

“I can bring everything around me, from my daily confusions to an image coming to my head by chance, into my music,” Ly shared.

After moving with her sister to Ho Chi Minh City, Ly started her singing career as an underground singer at the city’s cafés and bars, and then shined like a phenomenon at the biggest contest for Vietnamese songwriters four years ago.

Last April, Ly released her first album under her name, which included seven songs out of the 30 she has written.

Five months later, she had a tour across Vietnam titled “Le cat Trong Ly – Vui” (Le Cat Trong Ly – Happy), and received positive response from local experts and audiences.

Thai Trinh

Young, talented Thai Trinh has slowly solidified her position in the local music industry after becoming a YouTube sensation in 2010.

Two year ago Trinh, born in 1993, caused a stir among the Internet users community with her cover of the song “The Show,” sung by famous Australian singer Lenka.

With pure beauty, a gentle singing voice, and skillful guitar playing, Thai Trinh performed the song and made it a sensation.

The 19-year-old girl has chosen a long but certain road by composing and singing her own songs

Her latest song, titled “Dung Yen” (Stay Till), brought her the Best Song of The Month and Best Singer awards at the “Bai Hat Viet” contest last December.

“Phiêu dạt bước chân, gió mênh mang với đôi bàn chân…hay là đứng yên, biết quanh em trần gian dừng lại, (Let the wind take your feet around or stay till and feel the world stop spinning with you), she wrote in the song.

“It’s hard for new songs to conquer listeners,” she shared. “But I believe in myself,” she added.

Mai Khoi

With an acoustic guitar as her frequent companion, Mai Khoi is known as a singer and songwriter of love ballads.

Since releasing her first written song in 1995, “Cam Ranh Que Toi” (Cam Ranh My Hometown), about her hometown, the young, beautiful and talented Mai Khoi has released more than 6 albums comprising 50 self – composed tracks.

Two years ago, Khoi’s patriotic song “Vietnam” won Vietnam’s Best Song 2010. The young singer said she hoped to make the song, which is in Vietnamese and English, an introduction about Vietnam to the world.

Khoi also said she wanted the song to portray a bright and fresh spirit of her country through the eyes of a young Vietnamese like her.

“The award is an inspiration for me to continue writing songs with meaningful messages to society,” Khoi shared.

“Composing and singing what I wrote makes my music life exciting,” the 29-year-old singer added.

Kim

This 19-year-old from Hanoi is one of the representatives of a new generation of female rappers in Vietnam.

When she started her rapping career at the age of 14, the girl was known for her cute and pure songs about love. But things changed when Kim talked to a prostitute to make a documentary in 2009.

“After meeting her, I realized that I was wrong, since I used to criticize prostitutes,” Kim said.

Since then, Kim has shocked people by singing out loud what she thinks. Her songs turned more social by talking about much-discussed issues like the distance between social classes, domestic violence, sex education and HIV patients.

“Good girls, they don’t talk about sex. They’re afraid to talk with mom and dad. It’s a long way to go if they want to talk with their teachers about sex. Friends also have no idea. Sex – someone call it love. Sex – someone take it pain,” Kim wrote in her song.

The young woman is also a role model for a young, positive generation who wants to be themselves and keep moving forward no matter what happens.

“I’ll still go ahead. I’ll still have my dreams. A long life is waiting for me. Dawns will come with hopes. Faith makes me strong enough to live. A new day, a happy day, a not-lonely day is coming,” is one of the messages she gives the youth.

source form: vietnamnet

Enjoying live pop concerts has become a form of luxury entertainment, only accessible to the rich.

Six years ago, the price that composer Phu Quang charged for a ticket for the show to celebrate his 40-year music career shocked many people. It was the first time a ticket to a show had sold for VND1 million (members of the audience were presented with a book, a CD and a cocktail during the show).

More recently, concert tickets have been regularly selling for between VND500,000 and VND2 million (US$95), and the best seats for most live shows held in Ha Noi are even more expensive. For example, a ticket for overseas Vietnamese singer Nguyen Hung’s live show Love and Dancing Steps cost VND2.5 million, while a ticket for the Golden Autumn show featuring divas Thanh Lam, My Linh and Hong Nhung cost from VND800,000 to VND2 million. Overseas Vietnamese singer Che Linh’s concert set audiences back from VND500,000 to 3 million.

“Because tickets prices for domestic concerts are always high, when a famous band like Westlife performs in Ha Noi with tickets costing between VND350,000 and VND1 million each, many fans say it’s cheap,” says Le Van Luong, a young fan.

Organisers explained that they were forced to raise ticket prices because singers were demanding more and the cost of hiring a venue had increased.

To hold a show at the Ha Noi Cultural Friendship Palace costs around $2,000, while the cost for a high-profile venue – the National Convention Centre – is much more expensive, up to VND700 million ($33,000).

Popular singer Dam Vinh Hung holds the record for the most expensive ticket price, with VIP tickets for his show White Night Party sold for $500. Audience members were treated to fine wine, chocolate that Hung brought home from the US, and a vase with their name on it.

Musicians from other genres may feel an element of envy towards these pop stars, as they may earn the same from one tour as other artists do in a year. Classical musicians at the Ha Noi Opera House receive a few hundred thousand dong per show, while pop stars make several thousand dollars.

Tuoi Tre (Youth) Theatre in Ha Noi can feel proud of the many famous artists that have graced its stage, but even for some of the top shows that the theatre has built its reputation on such as Laughing Lives, tickets are available from VND100,000-VND120,000.

“This price is less than one-tenth of a ticket for a Uyen Linh show, a new singer who recently rose to fame on Viet Nam Idol,” says music fan Do Kim Chung.

Director Si Tien, deputy head of the Theatre’s Troupe 2, says the theatre doesn’t plan to raise ticket prices.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s a long, complex play that requires lots of rehersals, or a short, light-hearted performance, the ticket price remains the same to encourage audiences to experience different genres and enjoy the art,” he says.

For other kinds of art performance, such as comedy and circus, prices are only reach as high as VND100,000, and could be lower.

Perhaps audiences’ obsession for pop music has pushed the price up so much that only the rich can afford to attend concerts.

Lucky for others, there are still shows held by famous domestic and foreign artists that are free.

Student Ha Lan knows that the Goethe Institute in Ha Noi often organises cultural activities, music and film shows with free admission. Lan registered her email address with the institute to receive the latest updates on what’s going on.

“I’m happy to have the chance to attend these shows. Most exhibitions held at the Goethe Institute are free and invitations for the shows are also delivered free of charge,” says Lan.

The European Union in Viet Nam along with the Japanese and Korean cultural centres and the embassies of Italy and Denmark have held cultural and entertainment programmes in Viet Nam. Aiming to popularise and exchange culture, many leading artists from other countries have performed free of charge for Vietnamese audiences.

They include annual events such as the European Music Festival, European Concert, European Film Festival, International Documentary Festival and Modern Dance Festival.

Similar to Lan, many people often attempt to hunt down tickets for these events. However, because of limited numbers, not many are made available to the public, so the “hunters” must be quick.

These free programmes are a great opportunity for members of the public to experience different forms of art, but some organisers are not so sure, even if they succeed in securing sponsorship for the shows.

Most organisers say that if people don’t pay to see a show, they won’t realise its true value.

Only people who love the arts and know how to appreciate them are ready to pay for tickets, they argue. Free tickets should only be available for students and pensioners.

“It’s necessary to get the public into the habit of buying tickets, regardless of whether they are expensive or not. That way, organisers will be able to attract international artists to Viet Nam as part of their world tours,” says organiser and MC Anh Tuan.

Recently, many cai luong (reformed theatre) troupes in southern provinces have reduced ticket prices to attract audiences, many of whom are poor and live in the countryside.

Organiser Ngoc Hanh of Minh Phuong Troupe says: “We’d prefer to sell tickets at a lower price and have a large audience. It gets the artists’ adrenaline pumping and they give a better performance,” he says.

Director Si Tien says the most important thing to attract an audience isn’t the ticket price, it’s the quality of the show.

“If you have a good idea, interesting content and talented performers, then surely the audience will pay attention to your show,” he says.

source form: vietnamnews

The video clip is meticulously staged with the aim to call for joint efforts from the community to better the lives of disadvantaged people.

After the debut of this video clip, a performance tour is going to take place in different universities and industrial parks to raise more funds for people with difficulties including the elderly, orphans, and other plights affected by war sequel, diseases, and flooding.

source form: qdnd

The program aims to honour and to express gratitude to the heroic martyrs who had sacrificed themselves for the country’s independence.

The program with two parts, themed “immortal songs” and “a token of gratitude” with various unforgettable songs will be performed by People’s artist Quang Tho, Meritorious Artist Viet Hoan, singer Tan Nhan, the Choir of the Vietnam National Academy of Music and the Thang Long Dance Company.

Also, the audience will have an opportunity to exchange with three historical witnesses of the no-number cargo ship, Regiment 270 and General-Directorate II under the Defense Intelligence Agency.

This is the third “unforgettable epics” which has built four houses of gratitude, presented 130 savings books and 100 books of accident insurance, 45 scholarships, 25 wheelchairs and 500 gifts at the total cost of nearly 3 billion for numerous disadvantaged families.

source form: qdnd

The 8-year-old boy joined more than 60 international friends singing well known English songs such as ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’ and ‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.’

He also performed with famous Australian singers and special guests at the event including Alison Rae Jones and Caroline Veroce from La Prima Opera, the Mojo jazz band, Wylie J. Miller and friends such as the young violinist Vinnie, drum player Dimmie and Santa Clause from the Hello Music Land Club.

Performances received thunderous applause from thousands of spectators at Federation Square. Dung’s sweet voice won the hearts of the audiences. Karren Kim, head of Hello Music Land Club, even described him as an “absolute talent”.

The event is being broadcast on six international channels including Foxtel, Optus TV, Austar, and WTV Perth in Australia, and Triangle and Stratos Television in New Zealand, from December 17-25.

Dung who won the annual Do Re Mi singing contest in 2011 represented Vietnamese children at the event.

source form: dtinews

Vietnamese-French jazz musician Nguyen Le will be performing jazz and world music at the Hanoi Opera House o­n Christmas Day.

In 1983 Le, who was born inParis in 1959, formed the band Ultramarine, whose DE release won a 1989 best world music award. His 1996 Tales from Vietnam album, performed with singer Huong Thanh, was lauded by critics and went o­n to win the Diapason d’Or, Choc du Monde de la Musique and the Choc de I’Annee Jazzman awards.

source form: hanoitimes

The program, directed by directors Do Thanh Hai, Pham Hoang Nam and Huy Tuan, will involve many Vietnamese famous singers such as: Tung Duong, Hong Nhung, My Linh, My Tam, Thu Minh, Duc Tuan, Ha Anh Tuan, Uyen Linh and Ho Ngoc Ha.

At the event, politicians and famous artists will share their feeling and their wishes on the New Year’s Eve and reportages on the life and activities of overseas Vietnamese communities in various countries such as the US, Germany, the UK, Russia, Japan, Czech and Australia shot by Vietnam Television will be shown.

source from: qdnd

She will perform four songs at the concert: Don Dau (Hurt), Meo Hoang (Wild Cat), Quay Ve Day (Come Back) and Hinh Dung (Imagine) by composer Nguyen Dan.

Her new album is titled Quay ve day – Meo Hoang (Come back – Wild Cat).

Famous Central Highlands-based singer Siu Black will be the only guest artist at the concert that will be held at 126 Theatre in District 3 on November 25.

Thanh released her latest album on November 11, marking her comeback to singing after two years of pursuing a career in acting. The album package consists of a CD, a DVD with four music videos and a photo album of the singer.

“It took me five years to perfect the album, especially for recording,” Thanh said.

“Images in the album reflect truly my personality and style when I began my music career 20 years ago,” she added.

The singer, who has a unique and unusual voice, often sings about love and loneliness.

Thanh found her desire to sing in 1991 when she joined a club for young singers at the Workers Cultural Palace Theatre.

She became well known in the early 90s. Thanh won several times the Lan Song Xanh (Blue Wave) prize for Favourite Singer given by Radio the Voice of HCM City.

Apart from being a famous singer, Thanh has acted in several movies.

She received the Viet Nam Cinematography Association’s Golden Kite Award for Supporting Actress for her role in Nu Hon Than Chet (Death God’s Kiss) directed by Nguyen Quang Dung in 2007.

source from: vietnamnews.vnanet

Champ body builder Pham Van Mach and partner Van Mai Huong, the most popular couple of the weekly live broadcast show “Just the two of us,” were eliminated last night after their performances failed to please both the judges and the audience.

The pair’s elimination came as a surprise to many observers, as the sportsman and his partner, who was Vietnam Idol 2010’s runner up, have always been considered one of the top pairs.

However, last night their first collaboration, “Love story”, got a 34, the lowest score, and was deemed “unconvincing” by singer and judge Siu Black, who said they acted too much and that the singing part was unimpressive.

Filmmaker and panel member Le Hoang agreed and said Mach, who only performed a small part and danced for the rest of the song, did not sing very clearly.

The champion sportsman has grabbed media attention for his impressive singing ability since the British singing show kicked off in Ho Chi Minh in early October. Mach even said in an interview to newswire Giao Duc Vietnam he might consider a music career.

However, his recent failure at the 2011 World Bodybuilding Championship held in Malaysia in mid-November, where he came last, was heavily criticized, as many said Mach, one of the strongest competitors there, should have focused more on his main career.

On their second song, Mach and Huong regained their confidence and made a “comeback” singing “Phantom of the Opera”, a duet praised by all the judges for its great harmonious combination.

However, the pair could not make it to the next round.

The show’s Acoustic and Musical Night also witnessed a pleasant surprise with singer Doan Trang and MC Tran Thanh giving a dazzling performance with their “Ngau hung song Hong – oi que toi” and the “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” musical.

Playing Esmeralda and Quasimodo, the pair won 40 points for the first performance and 39 for their second song.

Singer Dam Vinh Hung and actress Kim Thu continued to be show’s favorite pair, as it has been estimated 37.74 percent viewers voted for them.

Acoustic songs and musicals seemed to be the competitor’s strong points, as the other pairs, Tien Dung and singer Phuong Linh, and actor Ngoc Ngoan, with singer Ngoc Anh were all praised by the judges for their performances.

Singer Phuong Linh and Tien Dung

Singer Ngoc Anh and actor Quach Ngoc Ngoan

source from: tuoitrenews

Approximately 50 students were split up into five groups to encourage interactive and candid group discussions about how to reduce the number of road traffic accidents.

The group with the best idea to combat road traffic casualties was awarded a prize.

The event, organized by Asia Injury Prevention Foundation (AIP Foundation), aims to enhance student’s awareness of road safety issues through discussions; remembrance activities including prayers and releasing birds;and through interviews with artists, students and local authorities.

The AIP Foundation is a US-based nonprofit organization that uses public-private partnerships, public awareness education, and school-based programs to reduce the rate of traffic injuries and fatalities in developing countries.

“With events taking place around the world for this Remembrance Day, I am thrilled to continue being a Goodwill Ambassador for AIP Foundation’s meaningful activities,” Bui said.

“As a road safety Goodwill Ambassador, I strongly believe that public awareness can effectively minimize the loss and pain that families such as these ones are experiencing,” Uyen added.

Vietnam is one of more than 100 countries worldwide dedicating November 20 to those who have died and have been severely injured by road traffic accidents.

World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims was created in 1993 by the organization Road Peace. The day was endorsed by the United Nations in 2005. It is now observed annually around the world on the third Sunday of every November.

source from: thanhniennews