Nguyễn Văn Tuấn
On the evening of January 15, 2025, at the Saturday Coffee Cultural Salon on the picturesque Phan Kế Bính Street in the heart of vibrant Saigon, I had the privilege of attending a musical gathering called "Remembering Phạm Duy."
Figure 1: Musician Dương Thụ is talking about the behind-the-scenes difficulties in popularizing the music of Phạm Duy and Cung Tiến.
The event unfolded in a cozy, intimate room on the first floor of the small café, filled to capacity with an audience of music lovers and devoted admirers of Phạm Duy's extraordinary talent.
It was actually more than just a gathering. It was a heartfelt occasion to celebrate and pay tribute to a remarkable artist who left an indelible mark on Vietnamese music and culture.
As I stepped into the room, I was immediately enveloped by a warm and nostalgic atmosphere. The audience was predominantly older individuals who had come not only to enjoy the music but to relive cherished memories tied to Phạm Duy's melodies, which had been a part of their lives for decades.
What stood out, however, was the presence of many young faces. Their attendance was a powerful testament to the enduring nature of Phạm Duy’s music—transcending generations and continuing to inspire and move the hearts of today’s youth.
Ms. Lê Ngọc Hân elegantly hosted the program, her soft yet expressive voice vividly narrating the life and career of Phạm Duy. Her presentation was enriched with invaluable insights drawn from the works of Professor Trần Văn Khê, articles by Dr. Ngô Thế Vinh, and the book Looking Back at Southern Music 1954–1975 by musician Nguyễn Phú Yên. She reminded us that Phạm Duy was not just a prolific songwriter, performer, and singer but also a distinguished musicologist with groundbreaking works like The Early Days of Modern Vietnamese Music and A Special Study of Vietnamese Folk Music.
Through these stories, a vivid and genuine portrait of Phạm Duy came to life—a gifted artist who lived with passion and authenticity, unafraid to acknowledge and embrace his own flaws.
The program blended heartfelt audience reflections with captivating live performances that deeply moved everyone in attendance. Singers Thanh Trúc, Hải Vân, and Lê Tình took the audience on a nostalgic journey through timeless classics such as Tình Ca (Love Song), Kỷ Niệm (Memories), Nhớ Người Thương Binh (Remembering the Wounded Soldier), Nghìn Trùng Xa Cách (A Thousand Miles Apart), Tìm Nhau (Seeking Each Other), Đưa Em Tìm Động Hoa Vàng (Taking You to the Yellow Flower Cave), and Áo Anh Sứt Chỉ Đường Tà (Your Frayed Shirt Hem).
Photo 2: MC Lê Ngọc Hân (right) is introducing the program “Night of Remembering Phạm Duy” which is a memorial meeting on the 12th anniversary of the musician’s death; the person sitting (left) is pianist Nguyễn Lan Chi.
With the gentle piano accompaniment of lecturer and artist Nguyễn Lan Chi, the songs exuded a unique vitality—a sense of life and connection that only live music in an intimate setting can evoke.
A particularly special moment of the evening was the introduction of two new songs set to the poetry of Hàn Tấn Quang, Em Hát (She Sings) and Nỗi Nhớ Vô Thường (Ephemeral Longing). These fresh compositions demonstrated that Phạm Duy's music transcends its historical roots, continuing to flourish and evolve in the present.
The evening’s warmth was amplified by the interaction between the audience and the program. Many attendees shared personal stories and cherished memories of Phạm Duy—some recalling the first time they heard his voice, others recounting chance encounters, and many offerings heartfelt anecdotes.
For my part, I had the opportunity to reflect on my own encounters with Pham Duy, both in the United States and Vietnam. My connection to Phạm Duy’s music dates back to my high school days, where I was deeply moved by his folk-inspired pieces like Gánh Lúa (Carrying Rice), Tiếng Hò Miền Nam (Southern Folk Songs), and especially Nhớ Người Thương Binh (Remembering the Wounded Soldier). That song resonated deeply with my father’s experience as a veteran who lost an arm during the anti-French resistance in 1945.
I hold a profound love for Phạm Duy’s music not only because he wrote for people like my father but also because of the exquisite beauty of the Vietnamese language woven into his work.
I will always remember my final meeting with Phạm Duy, in a hospital, just days before his passing in Vietnam. He grasped my hand, his eyes still bright and full of determination, as though trying to convey a message I have yet to fully comprehend.
Dương Thụ, a musician who had once been influenced by Phạm Duy, offered some deeply thoughtful insights. He spoke of the struggles to promote the works of Phạm Duy and Cung Tiến in Vietnam, highlighting political barriers and biases that cast suspicion on these extraordinary artists. Dương Thụ recounted how their works were excluded from a program celebrating fifty years of Vietnamese music, despite support from music associations.
One remark by Dương Thụ remains etched in my heart: 'To create art, first and foremost, you must be free.' He underscored that Phạm Duy embodied that freedom, living with unflinching authenticity, unafraid to acknowledge his faults. It was this honesty that made him irreplaceable.
Dương Thụ also proposed two visionary ideas for the future: establishing a Phạm Duy Music Institute and compiling a comprehensive Phạm Duy Music Dictionary. If realized, these projects would preserve and elevate the vast contributions of his musical legacy, ensuring that future generations can explore and appreciate the depth of his impact on Vietnamese culture.
As the evening dedicated to 'Remembering Phạm Duy' drew to a close, the melodies and stories lingered in my heart. It was far more than a tribute—it was a journey back to a time when genuine and beautiful artistic values were celebrated.
I left with a mixture of emotions: deeply moved and wistful. With his extraordinary talent and humanity, Phạm Duy remains an enduring symbol in the hearts of Vietnamese music lovers. Yet, even twelve years after his passing, his name and musical legacy continue to face challenges in claiming their rightful place in his homeland.
Nguyễn Văn Tuấn
Saigon 15.01.2025
