Remembering the author of Wild Orchid Branch

From his youth to the end of his life, People's Artist The Hien traveled to every border area of ​​the country and composed more than 40 songs about soldiers with a proud and enthusiastic heart.

1. At the end of 1986, when the fight to help our friends in Cambodia was fierce, I met musician The Hien at Front 479 (Siem Reap province, Cambodia). At that time, musician The Hien was with a group of shock artists from the Lotus Folk Song and Dance Troupe to Front 479 to perform for the Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and the Cambodian people.

At the end of the working trip, during the farewell party organized by the 479 Front Command, The Hien shared: “The life of a volunteer soldier is very beautiful, fresh like a wild orchid branch. It seems that the more difficult and fierce the hardship, the more fresh and full of life the Uncle Ho soldier is like a wild orchid branch.”

A while later, meeting me again after the party, the musician excitedly told me: “A young soldier just confided in me that when he returns to the city to celebrate spring, he will bring a branch of wild orchids to give to his lover. So beautiful, so wonderful. I will write. I will write…”.

People's Artist, musician - singer The Hien. Photo: THUY BINH

On the eve of Lunar New Year that year, I saw him appear on Ho Chi Minh City Television, holding a guitar and performing the song "Rung Lan Branch". As someone who witnessed the story of musician - singer The Hien conceiving this famous song, my heart at that time could not help but be moved and emotional.

As soon as it was released, Forest Orchid Branch by musician - singer The Hien with its cheerful melody, simple lyrics as close as a story, as if containing the fiery spirit and breath of life of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers in Cambodia, quickly attracted the attention of the public, especially the youth, including our young soldiers in Cambodia.

Later, although I no longer worked at the Military Zone 7 Newspaper, Thế Hiển and I still met regularly at major events of the city and the country. For example, when the SGGP Newspaper launched the “Truong Son Affection Program” to pay tribute to those who had once “Cut the Truong Son Mountains to save the country”, we invited Thế Hiển to participate. Without any hesitation, he immediately brought his guitar and went with us, and along the journey he was always passionate about playing, singing, and composing…

2. When we reached the age of “leaving office”, Thế Hiển and I had more opportunities to meet each other. Every time we prepared to organize gratitude programs of the Association for Supporting Families of Martyrs and War Invalids of Ho Chi Minh City, where I was participating, we always thought of Thế Hiển. With gratitude to the martyrs and their loved ones, Thế Hiển always served with all his heart, without any conditions.

People's Artist, musician - singer The Hien and soldiers sing about the border and islands. Photo: THUY BINH

As a famous artist with great public appeal, Thế Hiển always paid special attention to his hometown Nam Định (now Ninh Bình province) - his ancestral land. He always appeared at meetings of his fellow countrymen. At those times, Thế Hiển often chose songs about his homeland and country, and then the pulsating guitar and deep, powerful voice "awakened" the feelings of those who were far away from home.

Life and death are the work of eternity, of the Creator. The Hien, may you rest in peace with your ancestors! The life of People's Artist, musician - singer The Hien with his complete dedication to music , especially to Uncle Ho's soldiers, is truly admirable. This article would like to replace a stick of incense to send farewell to the talented artist who always "burned himself out" for life, for humanity!

People's Artist, musician - singer The Hien's real name is Lai The Hien, born on December 8, 1955, in Saigon, originally from Nam Dinh (now Ninh Binh province). He grew up in the mass art movement right after the country's reunification, entered the path of professional performance and composition, and joined the Young Composition Club of the City Youth Union since 1978.

From 1980 to 1987, he was a soloist in the Lotus Folk Song and Dance Troupe, participating in many music programs of the Ho Chi Minh City Music Association and art troupes of Ho Chi Minh City. In 1987, he left the Lotus Folk Song and Dance Troupe and became a freelance musician.

In 1995, he attended the University of Composition and Vocal Music, Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music. In 1999, he graduated with honors in both vocal music and composition.

In addition to composing and training singers, musician The Hien also actively participates in social activities, is a member of the Executive Committee of the Ho Chi Minh City Association for the Relief of Disabled Children, regularly performs charity work, and visits borders and islands. Musician The Hien was awarded the title of Meritorious Artist by the State in 2012. In 2023, he was awarded the title of People's Artist.

The funeral of People's Artist, musician - singer The Hien was held at the Southern National Funeral Home (No. 5, Pham Ngu Lao Street, Hanh Thong Ward, Ho Chi Minh City). The burial and funeral ceremony will be at 12 noon on October 4. The visitation will begin at 2 pm on October 4. The memorial service will be held at 7 am on October 7. After that, the coffin of People's Artist, musician - singer The Hien will be buried at Binh Duong Cemetery.

Forever Singing About You

Thế Hiển started his musical career in the late 70s when he joined the Young Composers Club of the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Union. His first songs brought back memories of his youth and were loved by many young people such as: Bong bong bay, Toc em doi ga, Doi cho trong con mua...

Besides, he also wrote famous children's songs such as: Question Mark, Nhong nhong nhong and songs about the Youth Volunteer Force and Youth Volunteers such as: Singing on the Green Farm, Stories of Past and Present, Volunteer Youth March...

In particular, when he became a young singer of the Bong Sen Folk Song and Dance Troupe, The Hien participated in performances at Front 479 (Cambodia). From the reality of the resilient fighting life of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers, The Hien wrote immortal songs such as: Hat ve anh, Nhanh lan rung...

As a member of the Association for the Relief of Disabled Children in Ho Chi Minh City, The Hien has devoted much of his heart to writing songs about social issues, about victims of Agent Orange, homeless orphans, and people affected by natural disasters and floods. The Hien's music is simple, his songs are not elaborate, do not have many variations, do not have many classical techniques, but have a light music style with folk melodies.

In June 2024, during a writing trip to Cambodia organized by the Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association, The Hien began to show signs of poor health. When visiting tourist attractions, he just sat in the car to rest.

As soon as he returned to the country, he had to be hospitalized and after more than a year of fighting the disease, People's Artist The Hien passed away, leaving behind so much grief in everyone's hearts. On behalf of the Saigon Branch - Vietnam Musicians Association in Ho Chi Minh City, I would like to send my thoughts to People's Artist The Hien with the wish that he will rest in peace in eternity.

Master of Music NGUYEN VAN HIEN

Member of the Executive Committee of the Ho Chi Minh City Music Association

TRAN THE TUYEN

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/nho-mai-tac-gia-nhanh-lan-rung-post816067.html