Series of concerts to honor Trinh Cong Son

Peace and love: A portrait of Trinh Cong Son by photographer Duong Minh Long.

Pop stars Hong Nhung, Quang Dung and Duc Tuan will perform in a concert before 1,000 people at the Trung Vuong Theatre in Da Nang City on March 27.

Famous dan tranh (16-chord zither) artist Hai Phuong will also be on hand.

The event’s theme is O Chan Me Ve (Oh Mother’s Coming), featuring the artist’s songs in praise of love and peace.

In Ha Noi, a series of three shows called Nhu Canh Vac Bay (As the Bird’s Flying Wings) will feature Son’s younger sister, singer Trinh Vinh Trinh, who will appear with veterans Thanh Lam and Tung Duong.

The shows will open at 8pm on April 1, 2 and 3 at the city’s Opera House.

The outdoor concert, Rung Xanh Xanh Mai (Forest is Green Forever), will open in HCM City’s District 7 on April 1 to raise funds for helping poor children in remote areas.

The night was organised by Son’s fan club in the city.

The artist’s popular works, including Ru Tinh (Lullaby to Love), Mot Coi Di Ve (A Place to Come) and Noi Vong Tay Lon (Joining Hands for Solidarity), will all be performed.

Born in Hue in 1939, Son became popular in 1957 with his first song, Uot Mi (Crying Eyes).

He went on to become southern Viet Nam’s most famous songwriter and author of several anti-war collections including Ca Khuc Da Vang (Yellow-skinned People’s Songs) and Ta Phai Thay Mat Troi (We Must See the Sunlight).

On April 30, 1975, the liberation day of South Viet Nam, Son sang his solidarity song, Noi Vong Tay Lon, on Radio Sai Gon

His romantic albums of love songs are still loved by millions of Vietnamese and foreign fans, particularly Japanese.

The songwriter died in HCM City in 2001 after a prolonged illness.