The Singer’s Famous Father: Unveiling the Life of a Musical Prodigy and His Two Amazing Wives

The late People’s Artist of Vietnam Trung Kien possessed a rare tenor voice.

With his rare tenor voice, People’s Artist of Vietnam Trung Kien left an indelible mark with a series of revolutionary songs such as Dat nuoc tron niem vui (Country Full of Joy), Co lai tau (The Female Train Driver), Tinh ca (Love Song), Gap nhau tren dinh Truong Son (Meeting on Truong Son Peak), Chao song Ma anh hung (Hello Heroic Ma River), Qua thang Nam dang Nguoi (May Gifts in May), Bai ca Truong Son (Song of Truong Son), Ho Chi Minh dep nhat ten Nguoi (The Most Beautiful Name: Ho Chi Minh), and more. He was also the first in Vietnam to perform the five Romance songs by composer Dang Huu Phuc in 1978 and translated 300 Russian songs into Vietnamese.

Apart from his singing career, People’s Artist of Vietnam Trung Kien was an excellent educator. He served as the Vice Minister of Culture and Information and the Director of the Vietnam Drama Theater. He was awarded the title of Professor and honored as an Excellent Teacher in 1984 and People’s Artist of Vietnam in 2001. He was also decorated with the Second Class, Third Class, and Fourth Class Labor Orders.

He was a prominent figure in revolutionary music.

In his teaching career, he mentored numerous famous singers, including People’s Artist of Vietnam Quoc Hung, Meritorious Artist Dang Duong, Meritorious Artist Lan Anh, Meritorious Artist Phuong Nga, Ninh Duc Hoang Long, Trong Tan, Le Anh Dung, Pham Thu Ha, Bich Hong, and Dinh Trang. He once shared, “If I don’t teach now, I think I would die.”

The artist and his students.

The great father of Quoc Trung served as the Vice Minister of Culture and Information and the Director of the Vietnam Drama Theater.

Two Wonderful Wives in the Life of People’s Artist of Vietnam Trung Kien

People’s Artist of Vietnam Trung Kien was not only a great artist but also an exemplary family man. He was first married to artist Thanh Nga, with whom he had a son, composer Quoc Trung. Their relationship began during their youth when they were both active in musical groups.

At that time, artist Trung Kien was a member of the Rang Dong group, while artist Thanh Nga was part of the Tuoi Xanh group. Later, the two groups merged to form the Hanoi Youth Union Choir, and it was through this merger that the couple had the opportunity to work together and develop a close bond. Their shared passion for music and the joy they found in their group activities gradually kindled a romantic spark between them.

The late artist Thanh Nga, People’s Artist of Vietnam Trung Kien’s first wife and Quoc Trung’s mother.

People’s Artist of Vietnam Trung Kien was introduced to the world of art at a young age. As a child, he participated in the Hanoi Radio Choir under the Hanoi Department of Culture and the Hanoi Voice of Vietnam. After finishing 10th grade, he enrolled in the conservatory, which shaped his artistic path.

In the eyes of People’s Artist of Vietnam Trung Kien, his first wife, artist Thanh Nga, was a unique and captivating woman. She exuded dynamism and openness, always brimming with a zest for life. She had a way of attracting others with her approachable and open-minded nature, coupled with a strong personality. These qualities endeared her to him, and he cherished and respected her throughout his life.

Their marriage, between two individuals with strong personalities and a sense of self, was not without its challenges. However, instead of clashing, they learned to respect each other’s space and individuality. This understanding and mutual respect likely contributed to the enduring strength of their relationship. He held her in such high regard that even after her passing, he continued to speak of her with loving and affectionate words.

People’s Artist of Vietnam Trung Kien performing with his grandson, Thien Thanh.

In the last seven years of her life, Thanh Nga bravely fought against cancer. Despite the physical toll of the disease, she remained optimistic and continued to live life to the fullest. To those around her, she embodied strength and resilience. However, her husband and son, People’s Artist of Vietnam Trung Kien and Quoc Trung, quietly bore the brunt of her illness, shedding tears and worrying about her health behind closed doors.

The love they shared, the life they built together, and the memories they created left a profound void in him—a void that not only held the memory of his wife but also encapsulated a chapter of his youth, filled with music, passion, and enduring love.

People’s Artist of Vietnam Trung Kien on stage with his former daughter-in-law, Thanh Lam.

Within his family, People’s Artist of Vietnam Trung Kien was both strict and devoted. He introduced his son to music at an early age, providing him with a piano during a time of economic hardship. He taught his son with a stricter approach than he did with his students, even forbidding Quoc Trung from riding a motorbike to protect his talented hands. Although he wanted his son to pursue classical music, he respected and supported Quoc Trung’s choice to explore modern and light music.

After the passing of his first wife due to cancer, he found happiness again with People’s Artist of Vietnam Tran Bach Thu Ha, a renowned pianist and the sister of pianist Dang Thai Son. They shared a deep connection, mutual respect, and admiration, like kindred spirits. She also lovingly cared for her step-grandchildren and taught them how to play the piano.

His second wife cherished his children and grandchildren as her own.

People’s Artist of Vietnam Trung Kien passed away on January 27, 2021, at his home in Hanoi at the age of 82. His death was a significant loss to Vietnamese music. Composer Quoc Trung shared his emotions: “Thank you, Dad, for bringing me into this world. Thank you for giving me and my two grandchildren, Thien Thanh and Dang Quang, boundless love. You had a beautiful life, and I am proud to have been a part of it. Someday, somewhere, I hope to meet you again and call you, my beloved father, one more time. Goodbye, Dad!”

The legacy he left behind includes not only immortal songs and outstanding students but also a family steeped in artistic tradition, with his son, composer Quoc Trung, and grandchildren, Thien Thanh and Dang Quang, carrying on the family’s musical legacy and enriching the country’s cultural heritage.

A heartwarming family photo of People’s Artist of Vietnam Trung Kien when he was still alive.