Composer Thuan Yen

HA NOI (VNS) — Popular composer Thuan Yen passed away on Saturday. He was 82.

Yen, born as Doan Huu Cong in the central province of Quang Nam, was among the most active composers during the American War in Viet Nam. He has composed many songs, including Ba Lo Ta Buoc Cho Chat (Tighten up Our Back Pack) and Vanh La Nguy Trang Rat Xanh (Green Leaves for Camouflage), encouraging young people to join the war against invaders.

Like other composers, he joined the army and composed war songs, the most popular of which was Nguoi Me Mien Nam Tay Khong Danh Giac (Southern Mother Fights against Enemy with Bare Hands).

He was awarded many music prizes, with his pop song Chia Tay Hoang Hon (Goodbye in Sunset) voted the "Most Favourite of 1992–93" by the Radio Voice of Viet Nam.

Thuan Yen is survived by his wife, Thanh Huong, a dan tranh (36-stringed zither) player, his daughter pop singer Thanh Lam and son DJ Tri Minh. — VNS