HÀ NỘI — A concert dedicated to late songwriter and composer Trịnh Công Sơn, known as the 'Bob Dylan of Việt Nam', will be held at the end of this month at the Hà Nội Opera House.

Aiming to commemorate his 23rd death anniversary (1/4/2001 – 1/4/2024), the musical extravaganza will pay tribute to the talented icon of Vietnamese neo-music, who left a vast legacy with over 600 songs.

Songwriter and composer Trịnh Công Sơn. — Photo cucnghethuatbieudien.gov.vn

Concert organisers Tom Chat said in a press release: “Talking about Vietnamese music, it is impossible not to mention Trịnh Công Sơn – ‘The Songwriter of the Century'. Although he passed away for 23 years, his music became a part of the beautiful memories of many generations.”

The repertoire will feature more than 20 famous tunes composed by Trịnh Công Sơn, including Mưa Hồng (Pink Rain), Hạ Trắng (White Summer), Cát Bụi (Dust), Ru Ta Ngậm Ngùi (The Compassionate Lullaby for Myself), Sóng Về Đâu (Where the Waves Go), Ở Trọ (Live Temporarily), and Nhớ Mùa Thu Hà Nội (Nostagia of Hà Nội’s Autumn).

A line-up of popular singers will perform his songs. They include husband-and-wife duo Cẩm Vân and Khắc Triệu, and diva Hồng Nhung, who had a strong bond with the composer.

Husband and wife Cẩm Vân and Khắc Triệu will perform at the tribute concert on March 30 in Hà Nội Opera House. — Photo danviet.vn

Diva Hồng Nhung, whose nickname Bống was given by composer Trịnh Công Sơn, will also perform the song ⁠Bống Không Là Bống that he wrote especially for her 30 years ago.

HCM City-based duo Hoàng Trang and Nguyễn Đông, will join stars like Nguyên Hà, Thu Ba, Minh Thu, and Tuấn Dũng.

Artists will also share their own stories, experiences and admiration for the late songwriter.

In addition, the Tom Chat Band, with their fresh yet contemporary music arrangements, will offer a new perspective on Trịnh's music. Tom Chat was formerly a band of students of the Hà Nội University of Architecture from the 80s.

Tickets for the one-night only concert are available on website https://tomchat.vn or via hotline 0936683669 - 0936301119.

Hoàng Trang (left) and Nguyễn Đông are a duo that specialise in performing songs by Trịnh Công Sơn. — Photo vietnamnet.vn

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

His lasting legacy includes albums of romantic love songs, such as Diễm Xưa (Diễm, My Cherished Old Flame) and Ru Tình (Lullaby to Love), released in the 1960s and 70s.

Sơn went on to become southern Việt Nam’s most famous songwriter of anti-war music collections, including Ca Khúc Da Vàng (Yellow Skin Song), Kinh Việt Nam (Vietnamese Prayer) and Ta Phải Thấy Mặt Trời (We Must See The Sunlight). For those famous songs, he was dubbed as the “Bob Dylan of Việt Nam”.

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