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Relief: Thanh Lam will perform with many famous artists in a charity event to raise money for flood victims in the central region. — VNS Photo |
HA NOI — Vietnamese singers at home and from abroad will gather in a performance next Tuesday to raise funds for flood victims in the central region.
The idea for the performance flashed upon composer Do Bao when he saw news reports of the flooding. Seeing the losses people were suffering, he sent an email to his fellow musicians and singers and called on them to perform for charity.
Several days later, the Musicians Association decided to organise the programme, to be entitled Be Vietnamese. The show will be held at the Cultural Friendship Palace in Ha Noi.
Young composer Duong Cam will present his latest song, Tra Lai Cho Em (Bring It Back to Me), written for children in the central region.
"I was moved when watching a live report of flood in the central region and the song was created in 30 minutes," Cam said. "I will sing it myself as a way to express my own feelings."
Composer Quoc Trung and singer Khanh Linh have travelled to the central province of Ha Tinh to provide flood relief directly to victims but will be in Ha Noi for the performance.
"We expect that our songs will help the flood victims in some way by drawing public attention to the plight of people in the central region," said singer Hong Nhung.
"I have never seen anything like this, a show that attracts nearly 100 famous performers within one week like this," said musician and organiser Do Hong Quan.
"When the plan was approved, we had 12 days to prepare – not much for a large-scale musical show, but all the artists are trying their best," Quan said. "I think the motivation is simple. We are Vietnamese, and we have a flesh-and-blood attachment to the people in the central region."
Even expatriate artists will join in. Vo Van Anh, a dan tranh (16-chord zither) player living in the US, has returned to Viet Nam for the fundraiser.
Other artists have participated in calling sponsors and marketing the event, said singer and organiser Tan Minh.
Tickets (from VND800,000 (US$40) to VND1 million ($50) are available at the Musicians Association at 51 Tran Hung Dao Street in Ha Noi. All proceeds from the performance will be donated to flood victims in the central region. — VNS