The cover of Vinh Cat's memoir.

HA NOI (VNS)  — Veteran composer Vinh Cat released a memoir to celebrate his 80th birthday.

Titled Chi La Ngoi Sao Khong Ten (Being Just An Unnamed Star), the 600-page book gathers articles on Cat, articles he has written, and letters from his wife and friends.

Vinh Cat is one of the leading symphony composers in Viet Nam. He has also written a number of pop songs, including Ngoi Sao Ha Noi (Ha Noi Star), Ky Niem Trai Tim (Heart Memory), Nu Hon Dau (The First Kiss) and Sa Pa – Thanh Pho Trong Suong (Sa Pa – A Misty City).

Cat joined the army and fought against the French, and later studied in the former USSR. He then served as the deputy director of Ha Noi Music Conservatory, now Ha Noi Academy of Music, from 1971 to 1983. He then directed the Ha Noi Culture and Information Department from 1984-98. — VNS