Farewell to People's Artist - Musician The Hien: "Wild Orchid Branch" still resonates forever

People's Artist - Musician The Hien passed away at 9:30 p.m. on October 1, leaving behind deep sorrow in the hearts of artists and music lovers.

Bring happiness to many people

For the Lao Dong Newspaper, musician The Hien is a close and loyal friend. Since the 1990s, when the newspaper's Arts Department, led by musician Vu Hoang, organized exchange programs introducing new compositions about Ho Chi Minh City, he was always the pioneer to participate. The image of a skinny artist, holding a guitar and singing between songs, during lunch breaks in industrial parks, factories... has become an unforgettable memory for many generations of us reporters.

At that time, we always remember a female worker who, after hearing him sing "Wild Orchid Branch", was moved to the yard of Ba Son factory, took a towel to wipe the sweat running down musician The Hien's cheek. She said that thanks to this song, she and her husband came together. Her husband was a discharged soldier. They both loved each other since her husband joined the army, every time he returned home from the southwestern border, he brought a branch of white orchid to give her.

The female worker's words of thanks to him were so lovely, at that time her son was in first grade, and musician The Hien, after that performance, was very emotional because he did not expect his song to bring happiness to so many people.

Most recently, in the campaign to compose the theme song "The Country is Full of Joy" to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025), he came to Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper 3 times to attend the music exchange, share ideas and contribute many enthusiastic opinions to bring new songs about Ho Chi Minh City closer to the public.

In his old age, he still maintains the passion and sense of responsibility of an artist. I still remember his advice: "The newspaper has a hall, the campaign has songs. So every quarter, let's organize and turn this space into a place to exchange and connect with young audiences to promote the "resources" of the campaign. I am ready to play the guitar and sing, serving for free." His words were warm and sincere, which is the "play hard" personality of The Hien.

Vĩnh biệt NSND - Nhạc sĩ Thế Hiển: — People's Artist - Musician The Hien (second from left) during his participation in a music exchange program at the Lao Dong Newspaper (April 2024). Photo: TAN THANH

A life dedicated to music

Musician The Hien, real name Lai The Hien, was born on December 8, 1955, originally from the old Nam Dinh (now Ninh Binh). After 1975, he participated in the mass arts movement, then studied vocal music at the Lotus Arts Troupe.

Since 1982, he started composing. In 1983, during a tour to serve the troops at the northern border, he wrote the song "Singing about you" - the work quickly spread widely and his name began to become famous from then on. Three years later, during a trip to front 479 (Cambodia), he composed "Rung orchid branch", this song once again left a deep impression on music lovers.

Besides, he also wrote many songs about youth volunteers, youth and children such as: "Stories of the past and present", "Singing on the green farm"... His music is pure, full of emotions, close to life. Musician Vu Hoang commented: "The Hien always has bright thoughts, making listeners understand and feel the stories in his music. For a composer, to have that level of depth, one needs to travel a lot, summarize and contemplate".

After field trips or trips to the source organized by the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, he always has new compositions. Recently, we were lucky to hear him play a guitar and sing a song about the peace of Lang Nu after the storm, where the hearts of the people of the whole country joined hands to rebuild after the storm so that people could soon have a peaceful life. He said that sometimes the material came suddenly in the middle of the night, forcing him to wake up with the guitar and follow the melody that flashed in his head and often stayed up until morning to compose.

Writing to order about brands, factories, products, he counted over and over 700 articles. What's more precious is that when he receives royalties, he transfers them to places that need help. He smiled and said: "Ma Bay Nam, Kim Cuong's mother, often writes the names of her characters in plays to support charity, but I just write "Wild Orchid Branch". Once, a representative of a shelter called to ask why I left the name like that, making it difficult for me to write a thank you letter. I said "Wild Orchid Branch" will always be green, but any name will eventually follow the white clouds".

From a singer of the Lotus Art Troupe, he became a representative face of Ho Chi Minh City music after 1975. The State awarded him the title of Meritorious Artist in 2012 and in October 2023, he was honored as a People's Artist - a worthy reward for more than 40 years of tireless dedication.

Now that he has passed away, songs like "Sing about you" and "Rung orchids" still resonate, reminding us of an artist who lived a full life with his career, his audience, and his love for his country.

In the memories of journalists, workers, soldiers and especially readers of the Lao Dong Newspaper, People's Artist - Musician The Hien will forever be the artist who brought his voice to life with all sincerity and passion.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/vinh-biet-nsnd-nhac-si-the-hien-nhanh-lan-rung-van-mai-ngan-vang-196251002211213886.htm