BAC LIEU (VNS)— The home of late musician Cao Van Lau in the southern province of Bac Lieu will be expanded and feature a new performance venue, according to Nguyen Van Thanh, deputy head of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Cao Van Lau (1892-1976) is most famous for composing the classic song Da Co Hoai Lang (Night song for a missing husband), which has been covered by generations of singers since Lau's passing. The song composed in 1919 tells of a wife who awaits her husband's return from the battlefield as she listens to the sounds of war drums.

Plans to expand the singer's 2,000sq.m memorial house include the building of new rooms for arts performances as well as rooms for exhibitions on the life and career of the musician.

The expected total investment for the project is VND80 billion (US$3.8 million). The province has asked the Government to earmark VND55 billion ($2,6 million) to help city authorites upgrade and enlarge the structure.

The restoration of the 2,000sq.m house is expected to finish early next year on the occasion of don ca tai tu (the Southern Amateur Singing) festival in Bac Lieu City.

The house is located in Ward 2, Bac Lieu City, on the street named after the musician.-VNS