Top 9 Most Admired Overseas Singers in Vietnam

Her full name is Lê Thị Ý Lan, born on January 1, 1958, in Saigon, into a family renowned for its artistic legacy, with both her grandparents and parents being famous musicians and singers. Her mother, the legendary singer Thái Thanh, was known for her heavenly voice, clear and hauntingly emotional in the songs of composer Phạm Duy. Her father, Lê Quỳnh, was a celebrated film actor in the 1950s, a charismatic figure who captivated the hearts of women in Saigon. Ý Lan is the eldest of five siblings. She also has many other famous relatives, including a sibling of the same age, singer Thái Hiền.

Despite her artistic heritage, she started her career later in life. At 30, she began singing and released her first music CD. Ý Lan revealed that her mother, Thái Thanh, did not want her to pursue a career in music, which she considered a lesser profession. Currently, she resides in California (USA), where she continues her artistic career, though she occasionally visits Vietnam, where her fanbase remains strong and loyal.

Tuấn Vũ, born Nguyễn Văn Tài on December 16, 1959, in Bình Thuận, moved to the United States in 1979 and began his singing career in the 1980s. He is one of the most beloved male singers of the golden music genre, admired both overseas and in Vietnam. His voice once captivated audiences both in Vietnam and abroad, with songs like 'Nỗi Buồn Sa Mạc', 'Người Yêu Cô Đơn', 'Khi Đã Yêu', 'Tương Tư 4', 'Mimosa', and 'Phượng Buôn' becoming classics. Despite his later absence from the stage, his voice remains timeless. His music continues to resonate with fans worldwide.

In 2001, after more than 20 years, he returned to Vietnam for the first time. Nearly a decade later, in 2010, he performed six consecutive nights at Hanoi's Grand Theatre and other northern provinces. Though aging, Tuấn Vũ still performs regularly at Asia Center and Thúy Nga Center events.

Minh Tuyết, born Trần Thị Minh Tuyết on October 15, 1976, is the younger sister of Cẩm Ly and Hà Phương. Since the 1990s, the sister duo Cẩm Ly and Minh Tuyết has melted the hearts of music lovers. In 1993, Minh Tuyết and Cẩm Ly won the first prize for duets at the Hòa Bình Theatre in Ho Chi Minh City. In 1997, Minh Tuyết moved to the United States to study fashion, while continuing her music career.

Since 2002, she has collaborated with Thúy Nga Center in the Paris by Night series, performing many hit songs such as “Đã không yêu thì thôi”, “Gọi thầm tên anh”, and “Yêu mãi ngàn năm”. In 2013, Minh Tuyết married successful Vietnamese-American entrepreneur Diep Nghi Keith.

Male singer of 'Trái tim bên lề', Bằng Kiều was born on July 13, 1973, in Hanoi. He was once a member of the bands 'Chìa khóa vàng', 'Hoa sữa', and 'Quả dưa hấu', and is known for his exceptionally high vocal range, one of the best in Vietnamese music. Few know that Bằng Kiều and Diva Mỹ Linh were in a relationship for six years, though it didn’t work out. Both have since found happiness in their own lives and remain good friends, often meeting during performances.

Bằng Kiều has said that his songwriting style is influenced by composer Dương Thụ, with his songs being pure and romantic rather than melancholic. His music is known for its emotional depth, and he once believed that singing was the most important aspect of a performance. However, over time, he began to pay more attention to his stage wardrobe, considering it a way to show respect to the audience. Bằng Kiều's music career is primarily based abroad, particularly at Thúy Nga Center, and his songs like “Trái tim bên lề”, “Trái tim không ngủ yên”, and “Nơi tình yêu bắt đầu” have left a lasting impact on his listeners.

Mai Thiên Vân, born Mai Thị Hậu in 1982, grew up in a poor Catholic family in Ben Tre province. As a child, she was active in the church choir, where nuns taught her how to sing hymns. Beyond singing at church services, she also performed at weddings and other events to earn extra income.

As she matured, Mai Thiên Vân passed the entrance exam for Saigon College of Education. After graduating, she taught while continuing her singing career to support herself. Upon settling in the United States, a friend introduced her to Thuy Nga Entertainment Center, where she was invited by Mr. To Van Lai to audition. Her debut performance abroad was the song 'Nước non ngàn dặm ra đi.' Thuy Nga then offered her a full collaboration, and she adopted the stage name Mai Thiên Vân. On August 18, 2016, she married a colleague from Thuy Nga. Her duet “Buồn không em” with Quang Lê became a hit, showcasing their musical chemistry.

Dan Nguyen, born Nguyen Dang Dan on July 9, 1984, in Thua Thien Hue, moved with his family to the United States in 1998. In 2006, he won 4 first-place awards and 1 second-place award in six competitions across Northern and Southern California. That same year, he auditioned for musician Truc Ho with the song 'Xin lam nguoi xa la.' His unique voice caught the attention of Asia Entertainment, which invited him to perform in the 'Asia 55 - Singing With The Stars' show filmed in the summer of 2007. His first appearance on the show left a strong impression when he successfully dueted with singer Che Linh on the famous song 'Thoi Doi' by composer Truc Phuong. From there, Dan Nguyen's singing career took off, quickly earning him the admiration of many fans.

In 2007, Dan Nguyen began his collaboration with Asia Entertainment, performing alongside legendary singer Che Linh in the song 'Thoi Doi.' His voice, known for its deep, soulful tone, captivated listeners both in Vietnam and abroad. His emotionally evocative style resonated with younger audiences, as well as older fans who had a deep love for classic Vietnamese music. Dan Nguyen’s unique vocal quality and distinctive enunciation made every song he performed feel personal and captivating.

Le Lam Quynh Nhu, born on September 9, 1970, in Dong Ha, Quang Tri, is better known by her stage name Nhu Quynh. A talented overseas Vietnamese singer, she gained fame for her emotional ballads. Her singing career began in the early 1990s, and she won first place in the 'Tiếng hát truyền hình TP. HCM' competition in 1991 with a perfect score. In 1993, Nhu Quynh moved to the United States under the HO program. Afterward, she was discovered by Truc Ho, the CEO of Asia Entertainment, and signed a contract in 1994. Her first hit song, “Chuyện hoa sim,” written by the late Anh Bang, brought her widespread recognition in the overseas Vietnamese community.

In 1996, she started collaborating with Thuy Nga and made her debut in the Paris By Night series with her performance of “Hoa Tím Người Xưa” by the late Thanh Son in Paris By Night 38. During this show, she also explained the origin of her stage name, which she chose to avoid confusion with another singer. In 2007, Nhu Quynh left Thuy Nga and returned to Asia Entertainment. She rejoined Thuy Nga in 2009, where she continues to perform today. She has countless memorable songs tied to her name.

Legendary singer Hoang Oanh, born Huynh Kim Chi on November 6, 1946, is famously known as 'The Golden Bird of My Tho.' She is one of the top 10 most influential female singers in Vietnam before 1975. Hoang Oanh grew up in a family of artists, with her father, a talented musician, teaching her to sing and play various instruments. Recognizing her natural gift, he began training her from the age of four, and by five, she was already competing in singing contests.

Specializing in traditional Vietnamese music ('Nhạc Vàng') and pre-war ballads, Hoang Oanh became a leading voice for Asia Entertainment and also contributed to other centers like Thuy Nga. Many famous singers, including Hương Lan, Như Quỳnh, Tâm Đoan, Mai Thiên Vân, Hương Thủy, Hà Thanh Xuân, and Bảo Khánh, have expressed their admiration for her, considering her a role model.

Hoang Oanh has had a steady career and a calm personal life. She grew up singing and studying, surrounded by her family and close friends, and enjoyed a loyal fan base. Her most beloved songs include 'Chuyến đò vĩ tuyến,' 'Anh tiền tuyến em hậu phương,' 'Một người đi,' 'Sao chưa thấy hồi âm,' and 'Về đâu mái tóc người thương.'

Hương Lan, born Trần Thị Ngọc Ánh on May 9, 1956, in Saigon, is the eldest of five children. Her father, the renowned Southern Vietnamese artist Hữu Phước, was a famous cải lương performer during the 1960s. Under his guidance, she began her singing career with vọng cổ, a traditional Vietnamese music genre. At just five years old, Hương Lan made her stage debut alongside her father in the cải lương play 'Thiếu phụ Nam Xương.'

Her stage name, Hương Lan, was inspired by two beloved artists, Thanh Hương and Út Bạch Lan, who were close friends of the family. In 1976, Hương Lan married fellow artist Chí Tâm, and they moved to France in 1978. After their marriage ended in 1982, she and her children relocated to the United States, where she continued her artistic journey. In 1983, Thúy Nga invited her to participate in the 'Paris By Night' series, which marked the beginning of her prominent role at the center. Some of her most iconic songs include 'Còn thương rau đắng mọc sau hè,' 'Em đi trên cỏ non,' and 'Chiếc áo bà ba.'