Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Overseas Vietnamese (Viet kieu) singers, some of whom were once famous before the end of the American War, are starting to return to Viet Nam, and are once again experiencing the thrill of performing in front of audiences who appreciates their music.

More than 70 Viet kieu singers have been allowed to perform in the country since 1991, said Le Nam, head of the Department for Arts and Performance Arts Management Office. More than ten Viet kieu are expected receive a license to restart singing in the country within this year, Nam added.

All Viet kieu artists are allowed to work in the country if they don’t join or participate in any organisations that are against Viet Nam, he said.

Not only are artists physically returning to the nation, but songs by older artists are also being re-released. The pre-war songs, of once famous Vietnamese composer Pham Duy, 81, who has been living in the United States for years, are expected to be played inside Viet Nam very soon.

The songs include Tinh Ca (Love Song), Nguoi Me Gio Linh (The Gio Linh Mother) and Que Ngheo (Poor Village) which were once popular songs broadcast in Viet Nam during the resistance war against the French.

New Viet kieu singers are also starting to become popular in tea shops in HCM City. "The ba ba blouse is seen intermittently on a boat. That looks so small and vulnerable as it plies along the deep river..." are words from The Ba Ba Blouse song, that is currently being performed by middle-aged singer Huong Lan.

Lan returned to her homeland after more than 10 years living in France.

"I always remembered the country, and every day that I was away the memories prodded me to return," she said.

In 1994, she came back home and started work with the Rang Dong Music Tape Centre in 1995.

Very soon after that she was allowed by local authorities to start her singing career on local stage with a music programme against HIV/AIDS held by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union.

By performing older folk songs, Lan knew that she would not be able to compete with locals singing modern music but she says she is like "underground water." "It runs softly," she said, "but stays in my fans’ hearts for a long time. That’s why I’m still singing at an age that one should be eliminated."

She added that she wanted to perform in remote and isolated areas where her voice would be more significant. She is also busy with her restaurant business in HCM City’s Binh Thanh District, and with her fishing farm and orchard garden in Binh Phuoc Province.

Singer Giao Linh never stopped performing during her 40 years abroad even if it meant only performing on weekends. She returned to the country in 2001 and joined the Sao Dem Music Group which is a travelling performing troupe.

Although already middle aged, Linh is still interested in travelling far distances to sing.

"It is quite different to when I lived abroad, where I could sing only rarely at weekends, with only few young audience members," she said. "Now I am invited to sing at any time of the day or night.

"I feel as if I have been reinvented because here I have my own house and I do not have to pay money for my shelter or risk being turned out as I was abroad," Linh said.

Besides singing, Linh is a pho (rice noodle) seller. Her pho shop has become a place where fans come to talk with her.

Patrons who usually drink at bars and restaurants such as M & Toi; 2B Le Duan, Dong Dao, and Tieng To Dong are treated to the regular appearance of Elvis Phuong.

Phuong, who could only be heard previously on CD or tape, is enjoying a popular following in HCM City and said he is lucky to be singing in his homeland after more than 40 years performing on the stage.

He returned to Viet Nam in 1996 after friends convinced him to come back for a holiday, which then made him decide to resettle.

Viet Nam News, April 19, 2005