Nguyen Vinh Bao - Master of the Zither and the Cultural Heritage of the South

Musician Nguyen Vinh Bao was born into a family of scholars in Cao Lanh (Dong Thap). From a young age, he showed musical talent and a deep love for the zither, the co, and especially the zither. At the age of 12, he officially studied with teachers and gradually made a name for himself in the art world.

Not only a master performer, the musician also improved the zither from 16 to 21 strings, expanding its range, contributing to raising the level of traditional musical instruments. He held the role of Head of the Southern Traditional Music Department at the Saigon National Conservatory of Music and Drama (1955-1964), teaching and inspiring many generations of students at home and abroad.

In the last years of his life, he continued to teach via the Internet and exchange music with friends around the world . His musical sound was "ghostly and magical" as the late Professor Tran Van Khe said - not only a sound but also a philosophy of life, an echo of the nation's soul. In 2008, he was awarded the Medal of Arts and Literature by the French Government. He is considered one of the six musicians with global influence.

After more than a century of living and contributing, musician Nguyen Vinh Bao is a “living treasure” of Vietnamese music. His voiced instrument has died out, but his voiceless instrument still resonates in the hearts of music lovers around the world.