Young singers passionate about composing

Young Vietnamese singers like Vu Cat Tuong and Dinh Manh Ninh are pushing artistic boundaries by writing their own songs in an industry where few vocalists write their own material.

Singer and songwriter Tuong's first album, Giai Ma (Decode), became an instant hit when it was released two years ago.

Tuong wrote songs that deal with the youth and social problems and encourage youngsters to be good in love and life.

In songs such as Dong (Winter) and Phai (Fade), she has combined traditional Vietnamese music with electronic and light rock.

Tuong's latest song, Yeu Xa (Love), won Favourite Song and Best Song voted by the audiences and jury at Bai Hat Viet 2015 (Vietnamese Songs 2015), a music programme broadcast on Vietnam Television in May.

Many teenagers enjoy Tuong's Cho Vo (Desolation), a pop song created for young singers Dinh Huong, the first runner-up of The Voice Vietnam 2012, a version of the American TV show The Voice, and Dinh Kien Phong. The song is about a couple who break up.

Cho Vo was a big hit in 2013. It is still one of the most favorite songs voted by listeners on music online forums.

The 23-year-old Tuong said she hopes that her fans "can learn how to enjoy their youth and live better after listening to my songs".

Many listeners appreciate Tuong's creative ability to mix different musical styles.

"Tuong's pop style is different from Korean style, giving young audiences a more Vietnamese taste," said Tran Hoai Nam, a high school fan in HCM City.

"I love writing songs. I think singers, particularly women, can do well in both singing and composing," Tuong said.

Like Tuong, Ninh is another successful singer who began writing and singing his own songs in his mid-twenties.

After five years of working as a solo singer, Ninh now performs his own songs which have become increasingly popular with fans.

His songs feature topics related to love and women, ranging from pop and country to R&B.

Ninh said he was still improving his vocal techniques while writing his own songs.

"Composing is the most complete way for a young singer like me to train myself and attain a high degree of professionalism," said the 26-year-old.

Unlike Ninh, Pham Toan Thang's music lends itself to jazz.

"I chose jazz because it's not popular among young people. I wanted to be different," Thang said.

The 28-year-old musician has within a short time had several hits, including Muon Yeu (Want to Love), Dau Mua (Rain) and Lac (Lost) and Bon Chu Lam (The Most Important Words).

Popular singers like Trung Quan, Quoc Thien and Truc Nhan, who have captured the hearts of fans in both rural and urban areas, have performed Thang's songs.

In a recent interview with local media, veteran musician Le Van Loc of the HCM City Centre for Music Copyright Protection, said: "Young musicians like Tuong and Thang combine feeling and composing skills, using studio technologies well. Their style gives audiences a global taste.

"They have been a key factor in the industry's development," he said.-VNA