Composer Nguyen Anh 9, 73, who is highly respected by local artists for his talent and  the many hit songs he's contributed to the Vietnamese music scene since the 1970s, gave an interview with the VTC Newspaper on August 24 and talked about the local contemporary music environment.

In his interview, the old musician expressed his disappointments and worries about the development of the modern Vietnamese music industry, which he said puts profits before art.

"Musicians of our generation used to write music to share our thoughts and feelings with others, rather than for commercial purposes," he said. "But nowadays I see most  composers produce according to orders from show organisers. And so I cannot feel their true feelings in their works."

However, he believes that this type of music will not last long, and true music will develop again soon.

When asked his opinions on some of the local top singers, he gave compliments to Thai Thanh, Tuan Ngoc, Tran Thu Ha, Ngoc Anh, etc, but he also said he was not happy with some others, explaining that many young Vietnamese singers now are paying more attention to costumes and dance than to singing.

"Singers My Tam and Ho Ngoc Ha are both beautiful and know how to attract audiences with their perfect costumes and dance routines, but their singing is not good," he said. "In general, I see many music shows nowadays are more for watching than listening."

Model, singer Ho Ngoc Ha is usually among the best-dressed artists in Vietnam. Photo by Hanoimoi

He praised Thanh Lam, My Linh, and Bang Kieu for their beautiful voices, but said that these singers tend to show off their voices too much and forget to express their feelings through the songs.

Questioned about singer Dam Vinh Hung, who is being called the King of Vietnamese music and among those who have the biggest fan clubs, the old musician said that Hung became famous because of various promotion and PR schemes and he did not think Dam Vinh Hung could be called a singer because he did not have a good voice, nor  proper singing technique.

Rude response

The interview  attracted lots of attention from the public and local music experts who mostly supported and agreed with the old musician. 

However while other singers mentioned in the interview remained quiet, Dam Vinh Hung posted a long letter on his facebook page the following day, August 25, expressing his anger and disappointment with what the old artist said about him.

First he said he did not want to believe that these comments came from such a reserved and mild-mannered person as musician Nguyen Anh 9. Then he asked the old musician whether millions of fans and the many prizes he has received so far, meant nothing; and why had Nguyen Anh 9 and his son, musician Nguyen Quang, called him to perform in many of their shows.

The 43-year-old singer, who recently posted a letter on his facebook page criticising singer Thanh Lam after Lam said in an interview that she doubted Hung's role in the programme Voice Vietnam,  also urged the old musician to "take off the mask of the mild-mannered person that you've worn so far." 

In the end, Hung confirmed: "I will never sing any of your songs again."

How to behave like a cultured person?

The letter has stirred up public anger, with many people criticising Dam Vinh Hung for his rude behaviour toward such an old musician.

According to the chairman of the Vietnam Musicians Association, Do Hong Quan, the comments of the old composer showed that he has been following the local music industry very closely. "I see that these are the very sincere comments of an experienced artist that we, especially young artists, should pay close attention to," he said.

Chairman of the Vietnam Musicians Association, Do Hong Quan.

Meanwhile, composer Duong Thu said that Vietnamese people usually don't like criticism, so Nguyen Anh 9 was very brave to give this criticism, especially to the top singers who are used to getting too many compliments.

Like most of the public who are criticising Dam Vinh Hung on various social websites, Thu said that the problem here lies in Hung's improper behaviour toward such an old person.

"Nguyen Anh 9's comments may be right or wrong. It depends on each person's view and taste," he said. "But in Vietnamese culture, it's not acceptable to reply to an old person the way we would to someone of the same age."

Singer Anh Tuyet also said that Dam Vinh Hung was not wise to behave like that to a veteran musician who has been highly appreciated for his talent and his support for many local singers during his 60 years in the music business.

"I was extremely disappointed when I read Dam Vinh Hung's letter on his facebook page ," Anh Tuyet shared. "Hung is also a famous singer, he should have been more careful with his words. I believe that Nguyen Anh 9 only wanted these singers to try more and get better."

Seeing a lot of discussion and disagreement among the public over this issue, the old musician has said that he is really tired and wants to send an apology to all people who think that his comments are wrong, but those who see the same problems he sees should be grateful to him for speaking out.