HCM CITY — “Di Trong Cuoc Doi” (Passing Through Life), a music album featuring latest songs written by Vietnamese-American musician Vu Thanh An, 76, has been released in HCM City.

The album consists of eight love songs praising the beauty of Vietnamese women, their humanity and optimistic soul.

The songs include Tinh Yeu Cho Giau Co (Rich Love), Giai Nhan Tu Ai (The Beauty of Humanity), and Hom Nay Em Mac Ao Moi (Today You Wear New Clothes).

All songs are performed by businesswoman and songstress Chu Thi Hong Anh, who co-wrote three songs with An, including Di Trong Cuoc Doi, Chi Co Hanh Phuc Vinh Vien Thoi (Happiness Forever), and Co Mot Thoi Mot Doi Ma Thoi (One Time One Life).

“I am honoured to chosen by composer Vu Thanh An to sing his new latest songs. I feel comfortable singing his songs,” said An.

The album is arranged and produced by composer and music producer Nguyen Quang, which is a mix of jazz, valse, bolero and pop.

Quang said: “Di Qua Trong Doi depicts a completely new composer Vu Thanh An. It include songs with gentle and joyful melody that bring new feelings to audiences.”

Quang, a graduate of Los Angeles College of Music, was music director of two Viet Nam Television’s music programmes Sol Vang (Golden Treble Clef) and Tinh Khuc Vuot Thoi Gian (Everlasting Love Songs), highlighting compositions by great Vietnamese composers like Trinh Cong Son and Nguyen Anh 9.

Born in 1943 in Nam Dinh Province, An moved to Sai Gon in 1960.

His first song, Tinh Khuc Thu Nhat (First Love Song), with lyrics by poet Nguyen Dinh Toan, became a top hit. 

His first album, Nhung Bai Khong Ten (Untitled Songs), released in 1969, impressed audiences. He has sung more than 120 songs, mostly love songs. 

After An left Viet Nam in 1991 to live in Portland, Oregon, he began composing anthems and working for charities.  

In 2017, he returned to Viet Nam to host tours in HCM City, Ha Noi, Quy Nhon City in Binh Dinh Province, Quang Ngai Province and Da Nang City.

His shows featured veteran Vietnamese-American singers Vu Khanh and Thanh Lan who were famous in the 1960s and 70s.

Vietnamese-American singers Quang Dung and Bang Kieu and girl band 5 Dong Ke were also included.

The shows featured An’s love songs called Bai Khong Ten (Untitled Songs), which have been popular for more than five decades.  — VNS