HCM CITY— Eighty-year-old singer Trần Hiếu has been recognised by Việt Nam Guinness Records as the country’s oldest People’s Artist.

Born in 1936 in Sơn Tây Province (now Hà Nội), Hiếu began singing when he was only 11 years old.

He studed music at the Sofia Music Conservatory in Bulgaria. 

In 1991, he worked as a lecturer for the Hà Nội Music Conservatory after five years of singing for the Youth Theatre in Hà Nội.

In 2000, he moved to live in HCM City and now works as a freelance singer.

He made his fame by singing patriotic music.

He has worked with leading symphony orchestras, performed in several musicals, and has travelled at home and abroad to promote Vietnamese music.

He has also worked with leading television and radio stations such as Việt Nam Television and HCM City television, performing in dozens of reality shows and attracting thousands of fans.

He now works as a lecturer for music schools and centres, including the HCM City Music Conservatory.    

 “I’m still working hard every day.  I will perform on stage until I can’t,” said People’s Artist Hiếu, adding that he was happy to receive the honour from Việt Nam Guinness Records.

Vietkings, owned by the HCM City-based publishing company Vietbooks, records national Guinness Records in all fields including culture, arts, literature, music and lifestyle.

"We are working to research and make public more new records featuring artists who have helped introduce and preserve Vietnamese music and theatre, enabling local and foreign visitors to learn more about the arts," said Lê Trần Trường An, general director of Vietbooks. -- VNS