HCM CITY — Many top singers are scrambling to release their traditional year-end album to mark the festive season and are receiving a warm welcome from fans.
Pop star Phuong Thanh released a solo album on Sunday, her first of the year, titled Nao Ai Co Biet (Nobody Knows). It has 10 romantic songs, all written by well-known composer Duc Tri.
"The album marks 10 years of collaboration between Tri and me," Thanh says.
The singer, who uses her melancholic voice to full effect, often sings about love and loneliness to strike a chord in listeners. She has never received professional training but managed to make her "God-gifted voice" unique.
"I try to immerse myself in the song to infuse them with feeling and spirit," she explains.
Her album was followed by Duc Tuan's Bay Gio… Bien Mua Dong (Now… Sea in Winter).
Tuan sings 10 romantic singles written by celebrated composer Duong Thu, the highlight being Xa Xam (Far Away) and O Lai Mua Dong (Stay with Winter).
Tuan is one of the few Vietnamese stars to sing classical and semi-classical music, not a popular genre among the youth.
"The album is my Christmas gift to fans," he says.
Last year he had won the Singer of the Year and Album of the Year awards at the prestigious annual Music Contribution Prize for his Music of the Night album in English and French.
Last week MV Productions released Cao Got (High Heels), an album featuring 15 songs starring well-known models and movie stars like Trang Nhung, Thao Nhi and Truc Diem.
Pop star My Le resorts to classical music for the first time in her latest album My Le in Symphony also released last week. Le's delicate style has won her acclaim among both young and older listeners.
Co Nhung Giac Mo (There're Dreams) released two weeks ago by upcoming singer Giang Hong Ngoc has also been well received. — VNS