Phương Thanh

Phuong Thanh (born April 27, 1973), is a Vietnamese contemporary singer. Her birth name is Bui Thi Phuong Thanh. She is one of the most renowned singers from Vietnam.

Phuong Thanh is known for her very diverse styles, especially while performing on stage. She also possesses a unique, unusual singing voice, gaining her recognition throughout the Vietnamese community as well as the music business.

Biography

Phuong Thanh was born in a rural part of the Thanh Hoa province, Vietnam, in a poor family with 7 siblings. She is the second youngest.

When Thanh was six years old, her family moved to Saigon. When Thanh was thirteen, her father died. The Bui family went through financial problems, because Thanh's father was the supporter of the family.

Thanh attended Le Quy Don High School. There, much to her mother's dismay, Thanh turned her focus to acting, fashion and music. She took part in every contest to do with show business, hoping to be awarded and earn money to support her family.

Until the end of 1991, Thanh lived in obscurity. Her luck changed when her friend invited her to work for the youth movement and join the Labor Theatre House, a club for young singers. Thanh knew she really wanted to sing. Her performing was excellent and her voice was so gorgeous that she soon found herself singing at wedding parties and restaurants all around Vietnam. She was not yet a star, but her family's economic situation improved greatly.

Little did Thanh know that she would ultimately become one of the most renowned female singers of all time in Vietnam.

Tam ca Sao Dem (The Night Star Trio)

Even though Thanh was doing a very well job, critics said her style needed improvement.

Fortunately, in 1993, she joined the singing group "Tam ca Sao Dem" (The Night Star Trio) and had the opportunity to be heard by songwriter Bao Phuc. From that moment, Thanh recieved whole-hearted help and guidance from Bao Phuc in every possible way. He trained her to be a successful singer - teaching music techniques and performance techniques as well as fashion classes. Thanh was so enthusiastic that she decided to follow a professional career in music, and ultimately started a solo career.

Solo Career

Shortly after, Phuong Thanh found her own unique style: hard rock combined with a formidable and whole-hearted voice. She was well recieved by her audience. The unmatched beauty of her raucous voice won even the most difficult of listeners. With songs like "Gia tu di vang" (Farewell To the Past), "Trong vang" (Emptiness) and "Tinh co" (Unexpected) being played on the radio, listeners started to adore Phuong Thanh.

Thanh's Unique Style(s)

Nothing of what Phuong Thanh does follows a pattern. In one way or another she succeeds in surprising her audience with her strong, eccentric "rebel" personality. Thanh once confessed to a reporter: "...Truly speaking, I often shock the listeners whenever i show up on stage, especially the young ones" (translated from Vietnamese).

Sometimes Thanh surprises the audience by a storm debut, and other times she is calm, dressed as an ordinary girl with faded jeans and provocative T-shirts.

The Performing Talent of Phuong Thanh

Often, it is seen by many of Thanh's critics that as soon as she starts performing, "it is like she is not herself anymore". Her eyes often sparkle with tears, carrying her heart through all the words in the lyrics. When performing on stage, she seems to forget who she is. As well as this, many are attracted to Thanh because of her unusual appearance and voice. She is one of very few young singers who won the audience's approval for being so honest.

Phuong Thanh is a simple and sincere woman who is never afraid to open her heart to her listeners through her music. Many strongly believe that her energy comes from her life experiences, as she had to struggle to support her family.

Despite of her rather unsophisticated outfits on stage, Phuong Thanh has made a name for herself in the music business and the Vietnamese community alike.

Phuong Thanh At Present

Phuong Thanh is currently living in Saigon.

External Links

http://phuongthanh.tinhyeu.net/ A site entirely devoted to Phuong Thanh and her music

http://www.chanhonline.com/html/ Phuong Thanh site with regularly updated news