VietNamNet Bridge – People’s Artist-- Luong Kim Vinh, who is honored as “the King of Mong flute” passed away on September 22, in Lao Cai city, at the age of 75.
Vinh was born in 1937 in Hoai Duc district, Hanoi. He was a member of the Vietnamese Musicians’ Association, the Vietnam Folk Art Association and the Association of Culture and Arts of Ethnic Minority Groups of Vietnam.

He was a composer and a famous Mong flute player. He is considered the pioneer who brought the flute of Mong people to professional stages. In 1970, he was the first who performed music pieces by reformed Mong flute at a national musical festival in Quang Ninh province. He won a gold medal for “Moonlit night in a Meo people’s hamlet”.

Vinh is the only one artist of Lao Cai province who was presented the People’s Artist title by the President in 2001. He also received many orders and awards of the central and local governments.

His two sons, Luong Thanh Long and Meritorious Artist Luong Hung Viet (a lecturer of the Army Culture and Art University) and his grandchildren are artists.

Thanh Long said though he studies classical music, he can play Mong flute. “Our family planned to organize a special show for my father but he unexpectedly passed away. Perhaps we will hold a show of commemoration,” Long said.

PV