Trinh Cong Son loved and lived to the fullest, but the sadness of his fate weighed him down.

On the occasion of the first anniversary of musician Hong Dang's death, Mrs. Le Anh Thuy - the late musician's wife, in collaboration with the Writers' Association Publishing House, released the book Horizon Calls for Sunshine. The book is divided into 3 parts, including the musician's writings about his family, his first Tet in Hanoi, his colleagues, Vietnamese music activities and his outstanding song works.

On the occasion of the 22nd anniversary of Trinh Cong Son's death (April 1, 2001 - April 1, 2023), the late musician Hong Dang's article about Trinh Cong Son is printed in this book.

Musician Trinh Cong Son

"After the death of two close friends: Professor Hoang Thieu Khang and aesthetic theorist Thai Ba Van, Son felt completely devastated. Every time he mentioned their names, a pang of sadness seemed to sink into the corners of his eyes.

A life of wandering since childhood, Son has left behind his footsteps of talent. Born in Hue but born in Dak Lak, Son wandered in this life, carrying the sadness of his life from Sad Stone Age, Old Diem, For a Person Who Lies Down, Fade Out...

Trinh Cong Son has his own way of going, his own way of composing, his own melody and his own wandering soul. At first, many people may not understand, but the longer they listen, the more they understand. And Khanh Ly's voice at one time made a strong impression on Son's works.

Since the war days, Trinh Cong Son has connected his journey with everyone in the movement “Sing for my compatriots”. And now, every time people sing “Joining hands in a big circle”, they remember those harsh and heroic days. Perhaps few musicians have left such a deep and profound impression in the hearts of Vietnamese people living far away from home, as well as those who come around him every day.

The private house on Duy Tan Street (now Pham Ngoc Thach Street) in the city, as well as the old house on Nguyen Truong To Street in Hue City, still has an attractive aroma that attracts many people. Hue City can be proud, very proud of its son. Many famous songs were born from here.

During the last days of the war, Trinh Cong Son's melodies were faintly heard around Hanoi and Hai Phong, and were still considered a forbidden dish, but many people were curious and interested in this strange dish. It was not until two years after the liberation that he had the opportunity to set foot in Hanoi. And the memories of Hanoi also left him with sweet impressions.

"... Hanoi in autumn/The yellow rice tree/The red-leafed Indian almond tree/...The scent of milk flowers/Fragrant in every gust of wind" - the song written at Dong Loi Hotel on Nam Bo Street has a charming, gentle, and elegant flavor.

Returning to Hanoi, Tran Tien introduced Trinh Cong Son to me and a few others invited each other to Van Cao's house. A few glasses of light wine together made Son very touched. Having heard of each other for a long time, now meeting each other, the joy of colleagues who appreciate each other's talents is one of the factors that stimulated Son's later journeys with: Afternoon in my homeland, Every day I choose a joy, Do you still remember or have you forgotten...

Each of Trinh Cong Son's songs has its own life and those countless colorful lives have created a gentle, soulful, profound Trinh Cong Son whose appearance still has a pioneering and religious look. Among Vietnamese song writers, Trinh Cong Son is the only one to receive the Golden Disc Award in Japan in 1972 with over two million copies released. And a series of published collections: Tuoi da buon, Khoi troi van mong, Ca khuc da vang, Kinh Viet Nam, Mot coi di ve, Huyen thuy me, Do you still remember or have you forgotten, Nhung bai ca khong nam thang have brought Trinh Cong Son to the position of the most important names.

That is not easy for an artist. And a series of music tapes, audio CDs, video CDs, as well as Trinh Cong Son's performances with famous faces of the Vietnamese singer world have left him an unforgettable impression. Young people love him, the elderly also respect him, and even children still sing Trinh Cong Son's familiar songs every day with deep admiration.

Trinh Cong Son's greatest luck was to have left an impression of his personality, his soul, and his level of education on everyone around him, especially his younger siblings. A Hue family, still maintaining the precious customs of an ancient tradition, knowing how to respect, love, and help. Almost all the younger siblings, from younger brothers and sisters, sisters-in-law, and brothers-in-law, surrounded Trinh Cong Son with a forgiving heart. Everyone knew how to respect their artist brother and knew how to protect, cherish, and care for Son.

The contribution of the younger siblings in training and preserving a talent is not small, something that few people have. The luck at the end of Son's life in art, prestige, respect, and even material things were not enough to make him happier in life, and every time he spoke to us, Son still showed that he not only loved the younger siblings but was also very grateful. Son's younger brothers Tinh, Ha... younger sisters Tam, Vinh Trinh... as well as the other siblings have traveled to many places to ensure their brother a comfortable life, without worrying about daily food and clothing.

Son lived his life to the fullest, loved with all his heart, but the sadness of his fate still weighed heavily on him. The sadness of artists is always like that."

By Family