Both are prominent musicians of modern Vietnamese music. This is a significant event, not only for preserving contemporary cultural and artistic values but also for honoring the contributions of these two musician-soldiers who used music to depict the Vietnamese soul.
Significant Event and Archival Meaning
The reception ceremony was attended by representatives of the late musician An Thuyen’s family, musician Vo Vang, along with some relatives, friends, and students of the two musicians.
Ms. Tran Viet Hoa, Director of National Archives Center III, represented the receiving entity. The documents, spanning from 1975 to 2025, include creative materials, choral works, instrumental music, manuscripts, images, and biographical documents related to the musical careers of the two artists.
Ms. Tran Viet Hoa (far right), Director of National Archives Center III, receives documents from the family representative of the late musician An Thuyen (Photo: Kien Nghia).
Speaking at the ceremony, Ms. Tran Viet Hoa shared: “We are delighted to have the consent of the families of musician An Thuyen and musician Vo Vang, who made time to visit the document areas.
Notably, over the past period, the families have also collaborated with the center to survey and transfer several collections of documents. These include manuscripts, photographs, and other materials related to the lives and artistic careers of the musicians, to the center for preservation and to promote the country’s cultural and artistic values.”
An Thuyen’s State Award-winning compositions for Literature and Arts (Photo: National Archives Center III).
Ms. Hoa also emphasized that the center currently manages nearly 200 collections of personal documents, including those of political activists, scientists, and artists, many of whom are musicians, reflecting the richness and diversity of the national archive.
“We hope you will continue to take time to visit the archival areas to learn more about the preservation process and how we promote the value of these precious legacies,” Ms. Hoa added.
Previously, on October 23, a delegation from the National Archives Center III led by Ms. La Thi Duyen, Deputy Director of the Center, visited the family of the late musician An Thuyen in Hanoi to survey the document collection in preparation for the reception ceremony.
In a warm and solemn atmosphere, Ms. Ngo Thi Huyen Lam, the musician’s wife, shared emotional sentiments as she reflected on the journey of preserving her husband’s musical heritage for over a decade.
She provided detailed insights into the existing document groups, expressing her wish for her husband’s manuscripts, memorabilia, and musical heritage to be preserved in a professional environment.
Valuable Archives for Research and Cultural Preservation
The acquisition of documents from musicians An Thuyen and Vo Vang holds great significance for the preservation of Vietnamese cultural and artistic values.
The documents, including manuscripts, memorabilia, photographs, and creative records, offer a comprehensive insight into the creative process, dedication, and passion of the two musicians for revolutionary music, folk music, and chamber music.
Ms. Tran Viet Hoa stated: “This November, the event of receiving documents from these two musicians feels especially meaningful, as they are individuals who have made long-term contributions to the country and have been recognized by the State through various awards.
The documents we are receiving today will be a valuable resource for research, study, and the dissemination of Vietnamese culture for future generations.”
According to the plan, the National Archives Center III will continue to organize, preserve, and digitize these documents, facilitating access for researchers, scholars, and the public for reference and exhibition.
The event is not only an occasion to honor the two musicians who dedicated their lives to Vietnamese music but also reaffirms the important role of preserving and promoting musical heritage, serving as an inspiration for future generations of artists and musicians.
The National Archives Center III is completing the scientific arrangement and organization of these document collections.
In the future, the Center will conduct research and promote the value of these archives to serve the public’s needs for understanding, learning, and creativity, while also spreading humanistic values, patriotic spirit, and national identity through music.
Vo Vang’s State Award-winning compositions for Literature and Arts (Photo: National Archives Center III).
Musician An Thuyen, born on August 15, 1949, in Quynh Luu district, Nghe An province, is one of the great names with profound influence in modern Vietnamese music.
The essence of Ví Giặm folk singing and the soul of his Nghe An homeland permeated his being and became an endless source of inspiration in his compositions. He was not only a talented artist but also an honorary Major General of the Vietnam People’s Army, leaving behind a timeless “musical legacy” that forever resides in the hearts of Vietnamese music lovers.
Musician An Thuyen is renowned for his compositions rich in folk melodies, especially those of Nghe Tinh folk music, imbued with deep lyrical sentiment. His prominent songs include: Ca dao em và tôi (Folk Song of You and I), Neo đậu bến quê (Anchoring by the Homeland Riverbank), Đêm nghe hát đò đưa nhớ Bác (Night Listening to Folk Songs, Remembering Uncle Ho), Hà Tĩnh mình thương (My Beloved Ha Tinh), Huế thương (Beloved Hue), Em chọn lối này (I Chose This Path)…
Additionally, he composed numerous musical plays, film scores, instrumental music (such as Concerto for Flute and Symphony Orchestra), and music for approximately 60 spoken dramas, tuồng (classical opera), and chèo (traditional opera).
For his contributions to music, he was honored with the Third-class Labor Order, the First-class Feat of Arms Order, and the title of Determined-to-Win Soldier (for 12 consecutive years).
In 2007, he received the State Award for Literature and Arts for his works: Em chọn lối này (I Chose This Path), Đêm nghe hát đò đưa nhớ Bác (Night Listening to Folk Songs, Remembering Uncle Ho), Hành quân lên Tây Bắc (Marching to the Northwest), Khi xe tăng qua miền quan họ (When Tanks Pass Through Quan Ho Land); Thanh xướng kịch Nguyễn Công Trứ (Oratorio Nguyen Cong Tru).
Musician Vo Vang, whose birth name is Vu Van Vang, was born on April 10, 1952, in Phu Son commune, Hung Nhan town, Hung Ha district, Thai Binh province (now Long Hung commune, Hung Yen). He was a musician who grew up in the Army, dedicating his entire life to musical composition, leaving a rich legacy, especially in epic, revolutionary, and chamber music.
He was one of the composers and directors involved in the monumental and magnificent art program celebrating the 1000th anniversary of Thang Long – Hanoi.
His creative career never ceased; he was a dedicated artist who used his life and ideals to create sounds that were both majestic and profound, enriching the treasure trove of Vietnamese music.
Musician Vo Vang is known for his ability to create large-scale works, rich in emotion and structural rigor. He composed many famous works such as: Dấu chân mẹ (Mother’s Footprints). Trio (Violin, Cello, Piano), Nơi mặt trăng mặt trời gặp nhau (Where the Moon and Sun Meet); Chorales: Biển trời linh thiêng (Sacred Sea and Sky), Mãi mãi là bộ đội Cụ Hồ (Forever Uncle Ho’s Soldiers); Children’s songs: Mỗi khi nhìn lên ảnh Bác (Every Time I Look at Uncle Ho’s Picture).
He was also the author of many important chorales and chamber instrumental works, notably the Chorale Biển trời linh thiêng (Sacred Sea and Sky), expressing his dedication to historical and national sovereignty themes.
Musician Vo Vang was honorably awarded the First-class Feat of Arms Order and the Homeland Protection Order. In 2011, he was one of 10 individuals awarded the title of Exemplary Citizen of the Capital.
In 2022, he proudly received the State Award for Literature and Arts for his works: Nơi mặt trăng mặt trời gặp nhau (Where the Moon and Sun Meet), Ngẫu hứng Huế (Hue Improvisation) and the Chorale: Biển trời linh thiêng (Sacred Sea and Sky), along with many other prestigious awards.
