Love for the sea: "Divo of Viet Nam" Tung Duong will perform love songs, including songs dedicated to the sea and islands, at his upcoming show. — Photo courtesy of Tung Duong

HA NOI (VNS) —  Singer Tung Duong, who is dubbed the "divo of Viet Nam", will present his love for the country, especially its islands and sea, during his live show next month.

Entitled Tung Duong Hat Tinh Ca (Tung Duong Sings Love Songs), the show will be held in his home city Ha Noi on June 8.

While love songs are usually about the relationship between a man and woman, Duong gives another explanation.

"In Vietnamese music, ‘love song' bears a wider meaning. It can be about love for country and family as well as about personal emotions," said the 31-year-old singer. "My burning love for music, which will be presented through my songs, is another shade of ‘love song'. I wish to present the different shades of ‘love song' during my upcoming concert."

He will share the stage with diva My Linh and famous singer Trong Tan, who mainly performs patriotic songs.

Tan and Duong will sing the duet Noi Dao Xa (Far Away Islands) – a famous song about the Truong Sa (Spratly) and Hoang Sa (Paracel) islands by veteran composer The Song.

"Given the escalating tension between Viet Nam and China in the East Sea, we want to show our love for the country through our music," Duong said.

Alongside the songs dedicated to the nation, Duong will present songs about the love for mother, which is an endless inspiration for thousands of Vietnamese songs, as well as romantic songs written by different generations of composers including Van Cao, Doan Chuan, Tu Linh, Do Nhuan, Trinh Cong Son, Tran Tien, Thanh Tung and Pho Duc Phuong.

Duong will also present songs from his latest album, Doc Dao (Unique Path), which blends traditional folk tunes with modern world jazz music. The album, which is his biggest music project to date and is a collaboration with famed Vietnamese-French musician/producer Nguyen Le, has received significant acclaim from music critics and experts as well as a warm welcome by music lovers.

To celebrate the album launching in December last year and introduce it to global audiences, a concert by the same name was held in Ha Noi and Paris.

The show helped Duong bag the Best Show of the Year award at the recent Devotion Awards, Viet Nam's most prestigious music prize.

Duong shot to fame in 2004 when he won the first season of the Sao Mai Diem Hen (Morning Star – Rendezvous) singing competition.

Despite a very busy performing schedule in Viet Nam and abroad, he seems tireless in his pursuit of quality music projects, which earned him eight Music Devotion Awards – an unparalleled feat in the event's history.

Duong's upcoming concert will take place at the Friendship Culture Palace. In July, Duong will travel for the first time to the Spratlys to perform for the soldiers and residents there. — VNS