A rich musical heritage

Musician Truong Ngoc Ninh, born on September 11, 1943, joined the army at 16, playing music with the Military Region III Art Troupe. Later, he studied at the Hanoi Conservatory (now the Vietnam National Academy of Music) for six years.

During the Vietnam War, he traveled with his guitar, performing across battlefields. These years amidst war provided him with invaluable inspiration and material for his later compositions.

After graduation, he worked for over a decade with the Air Defense – Air Force Command, focusing on composing, staging, and directing art. In 1996, he moved to the Hanoi Department of Culture and Information.

During this time, he composed many notable chamber music works such as "Variations on the Da River" and "Western Highlands," as well as popular light music songs like "Spring Rain," "Going to the Market," "The Source," and "Dividing Lullaby."

In the 1990s, Truong Ngoc Ninh adapted his music style to incorporate modern and lyrical melodies, creating hits like "October in Hanoi," "Half Moon," and "Thirsty Sea." He also managed and produced music for bands like Dong Doi, Sao Mai, and Anh Em.

In his vast repertoire of over 500 songs, many were meticulously crafted for specific commissions, reflecting his deep artistic soul. He shared that the song "Dividing Lullaby" was written for a family planning campaign by the Central Youth Union in the 1990s and won second prize. Other notable songs from the same competition included "Why Did You Marry So Soon" and "Our Village Girl."

Truong Ngoc Ninh always sought inspiration from his surroundings, jotting down interesting ideas to use later. He didn’t distinguish between commissioned works and personal projects. His notable achievements include the "Truong Ngoc Ninh Song Collection" (1995), the "Truong Ngoc Ninh Album" (1995), and the "Musical Road" program broadcast on VTV3 named "Thirsty Sea" (2011).

He received the State Award for Literature and Arts (2007), the Vietnam Musicians Association Award for instrumental music, the Second-Class Resistance War Medal against the US, the First, Second, and Third-Class Distinguished Soldier Medals, and numerous other awards.

The secret behind the song that found him a 'diva' daughter-in-law

Few know that "Thirsty Sea" was a song Truong Ngoc Ninh composed on commission for a play by the Hanoi Drama Theater. The veteran musician once shared with the media: "Thirsty Sea was based on a play about the love between a woman and a soldier. She thought he had died in battle and started a family, but her heart remained with her first love. When she learned he was still alive, she set out to find him. Eventually, they reunited. The soldier struggled to accept his wife's child from another man. The line 'In a fleeting moment, you betrayed our love' was conceived when I put myself in the woman's shoes."

Singer My Linh was the first to perform the song, capturing the essence of romantic love, earning widespread admiration. Notably, "Thirsty Sea" brought Anh Quan and My Linh together for the first time at the Military Art School’s recording studio, marking the beginning of a beautiful and enduring love story.

Besides his involvement with the Anh Em band, musician Anh Quan has significantly shaped My Linh’s career. Their second daughter, My Anh, also achieved success by finishing as the runner-up on the reality show "Idol vs. Idol" in 2021.

In November 2021, My Anh performed at the Head in the Clouds music festival organized by 88rising at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Los Angeles. In January 2022, she represented Vietnam at the Round Festival, a music festival for artists from Korea and Southeast Asia.

Despite being 81 years old, Truong Ngoc Ninh continues to live a disciplined life: waking up at 5am, reading news, working, and composing. He frequently updates his social media with activities such as television interviews, meeting old colleagues, visiting musician Nguyen Cuong, or judging competitions.

In a media interview, Truong Ngoc Ninh expressed his happiness that his family has three generations dedicated to music. While Anh Quan and My Linh have established their own reputations with high-quality albums and live shows, his granddaughter My Anh is also a rising star. He hopes My Anh will continue to grow and be loved by the audience.

Thien Di