Như Quỳnh (singer)

Lê Lâm Quỳnh Như (born 9 September 1970^[1]) is a contemporary Vietnamese singer of Vietnamese popular music in the diapora. Her songs include her trademark debut single, "Chuyện Hoa Sim" (Rose Myrtle), "Nguoi Tinh Mua Dong" (Winter Lover), "Làng Tôi" (My Village), "Nủa Vầng Trăng" (Half of the Moon), "Vào Hạ" (the beginning of Summer ), "Nỗi Buồn Châu Pha" (Sorrow for Châu Pha), and "Chờ Người" (Waiting for Someone), "Thương Về Miền Trung" (Longing for Central Vietnam), "Chuyện Tình Của Người Thiếu Nữ Tên Thi" (The Love Story of a Young Girl Named 'Thi'), "Chung Mộng" (Sharing a Dream), "Duyên Phận"(Fate), and " Trả Lại Thời Gian" ( Return Time). Như Quỳnh is best known for her memorable and best-selling duet songs with Trường Vũ (such as "Không Giờ Rồi").They are known as "The Two that links international Vietnamese Music to Vietnam itself", and "The Best Duet of Golden Music." Now, she spends most of her career with Paris By Night where she is known as the 'Queen of Vietnamese Country Music- Bolero, Folk songs'.

Career

In the past 10 years, Nhu Quynh's stellar climb to the, Nhu Quynh's fame came to her very quickly. Many critics speculated that her success and stardom will have reached greater heights as Nhu Quynh was still very young at that time. She also has great command over her voice and a varied repertoire in her musical skills. Since her debut, Nhu Quynh has steadily developed into a very solid performer.

Nhu Quynh was born in Đông Hà township, Quảng Trị Province not far from Huế. She is the oldest in a family of three. Her mom was going to name her Dong Ha, after her birthplace but decided to name her Lam Quynh Nhu instead. At a very young age, Nhu Quynh has already demonstrated her skills and talent as a performer. She regularly performed on the stage of her old elementary school and later graduated to performing in local television programs for children. Nhu Quynh studied music under professor Ba Thai of the Vietnamese National Music Institute and for a time, she taught music to young children in District 1 of Saigon.

In the spring of 1993, Nhu Quynh's family immigrated to the United States and settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1994, her parents met a fellow countryman with connections to Asia Productions. Her first appearance was on Asia Đêm Sàigòn 5 with the song "Nguoi Tinh Mua Dong" a Japanese pop song, With Vietnamese lyric written by Anh Bang and directed by Truc Ho. The event left an unforgettable image of a beautiful singer with a sweet voice.After her first appearance she came back with another song in Asia Đêm Sàigòn 6 with the song "Chuyen Hoa Sim" written by Anh Bang again. "Chuyen Hoa Sim" and "Nguoi Tinh Mua Dong" proved to everyone that she is a versatile singer.

During Nhu Quynh's early stages, she came out with three of her own albums from the Asia Entertainment Productions. Her first album was Nhu Quynh 1: Chuyen Hoa Sim (The Story of Rose Myrtle), which was maybe one of the best sellers in Vietnamese Music industry. Her second album, Nhu Quynh 2: Rung La Thay Chua, and Chuyen Tình Hoa Trắng (The Love Story From White Flowers) was her third solo album. After these three solo albums she also appeared in other Asia Entertainment albums with two or three songs each.

Nhu Quynh's contract with Asia Entertainment ended towards the end of the month of October, 1996 and after that she made her own music production with the name of N-Q Records. After a few successful releases from NQ Records such as "Mot Doi Tim Nhau" & "Em Van Hoai Yeu Anh", there were internal problems within the production. Nhu Quynh ended her recordings for NQ Records and started her new label Nhu Quynh Entertainment. At the same time she signed a contract with Thuy Nga to appear in Paris By Night videos. She made her first appearance on Paris By Night Video 38 in which she performed "Hoa Tim Ngay Xua" and "Toi Van Nho" a duet with The Son which was extremely successful. In performing on Thuy Nga videos she made popular songs like "Cho Nguoi", "Noi Buon Chau Pha", "Tieng Hat Chim Da Da", "Chuyen Di Ve Sang", "Nua Vang Trang", "To Tam", and many other songs. She continues to shine on stage today performing and recording for Thuy Nga. Currently she is in high demand in concerts around the world.

In March 2006, Thuy Nga released "Nua Doi Huong Phan" which starred Nhu Quynh in a 'Ca Nhac Cai Luong' DVD which also featured Manh Quynh as her co-star, and Huong Lan, Hoai Linh, Chi Tai etc. This was her first "debut" into the Cai Luong style of music. This style required the ability of acting as well as singing.

Career

Debut: Asia Music Corporation | Asia Entertainment Incorporated

Her first appearance was on Asia Video 5 with her performance titled, "Nguoi Tinh Mua Dong" translated from Chinese by Anh Bang directed by the songwriter Truc Ho. This piece left an unforgettable image of a beautiful female singer with a sweet, clear and blissful voice. After much anticipation from her debut performance, she returned with another performance in Asia Video 6 with, "Chuyen Hoa Sim" written by Anh Bang. She proved to many that she was capable of singing many genres and styles of music.

During Nhu Quynh’s early stages, she came out with three of her own albums which all are from the Asia Entertainment Productions. Her first album was Nhu Quynh 1: "Chuyen Hoa Sim", which included her two hits, "Chuyen Hoa Sim" and "Nguoi Tinh Mua Dong", as well other songs such as "Mong Du", written by Pham Duy. Album "Chuyen Hoa Sim" was one of the best sellers in Vietnamese Music industry. Her second album, Nhu Quynh 2: "Rung La Thay Chua" was also a hit, including songs such as "Rung La Thay Chua" as well as "Nhu Vat Nang" (written by Truc Ho), which she and singer Gia Huy made extremely popular. Her third solo album was Nhu Quynh 3: "Chuyen Tinh Hoa Trang", again, another good seller, which included the song "Chuyen Tinh Hoa Trang", another song written by Anh Bang for Nhu Quynh. Along with her solo albums, she also was in other various albums and videos from Asia Entertainment.

1996–2007: Thúy Nga

After leaving Asia Productions in 1996, Nhu Quynh signed a contract with music label, Thúy Nga in 1996. She debuted in Thúy Nga's Paris By Night 38 with performance titled, "Hoa Tím Ngày Xưa". As the ten years progressed, Nhu Quynh made herself an icon of Vietnamese women as well as earning the title of the "Queen of Folk". Such performances in Thuy Nga featured, "Vào Hạ", "Nỗi Buồn Châu Pha", Đêm Chôn Dầu Vượt Biển, "Chuyện Tình Buồn", "Nửa Vầng Trăng", "Chung Mộng" and "Em Đi Xem Hội Trăng Rằm". These titles were some of the most famous performances in the Vietnamese music industry and to this day are still remembered for its revelation and impact on Vietnamese music.

2007–2009: Pregnancy & return to Asia Music Corporation | Asia Entertainment Incorporated

Shortly after her departure from Thuy Nga in mid-2006, Nhu Quynh gave birth to a baby girl in 2007, named Melody Dong Nghi. Controversy had stirred as a result on whether Nhu Quynh was really pregnant or had even gotten married. Prior to giving birth to Melody, she didn't disclose her personal information. After giving birth, some pictures of her husband and daughter were released and she also informed the public about her marital status including her husband’s name, Nguyễn Thắng, an aviation engineer, working for U.S Federal Aviation Administration.

In 2007, Nhu Quynh made her final appearance in Thuy Nga Productions with performance titled, "Mua Tren Que Huong" in Paris By Night 89. In August 2007, after more than 10 years, Nhu Quynh returned to the production that made her the star she is today, Asia Entertainment. This was a shock to many fans and viewers from across the globe. However, Nhu Quynh's continue fans as well as the way. Her returning performance was in Asia 56 "Mua He Ruc Ro 2007: Yeu Doi Yeu Nguoi" and was titled "Mua Buon", another new song written by Anh Bang especially for Nhu Quynh. She then made her second appearance in Asia 57 "The Gioi Tinh Yeu", performing Lien Khuc Trinh Cong Son & Vu Thanh An with other singers, as well as performing a solo, "Khoc Me", a song written by Mac Thien, in Viet Nam. Nhu Quynh has since then appeared in subsequent CDs, Karaoke DVDs, and Asia Show DVDs, including "Tiec Thuong" (duet with Lam Nhat Tien in Asia 58 "La Thu Tu Chien Truong"), "Tham Mo Me" (composed by Anh Bang in Asia 59 "Mot Thoi De Nho"), and "Nhung Kiep Hoa Xuan" (in Asia 60 "Xuan Thanh Binh, Xuan Chinh Chien, Xuan Tha Huong").

2009–present: Return to Thúy Nga

After two years with Asia, Nhu Quynh returned to the production that was responsible for her fame today, Thúy Nga. After Asia 63, it had been revealed that she would not make an appearance on Asia 64. However, it was later announced that Nhu Quynh would be returning to Thúy Nga in Paris By Night 98. The show was taped in Las Vegas where Nhu Quynh performed "Mo Trang Anh Ve". It was highly debated and discussed whether Nhu Quynh should stay with Asia or Thúy Nga. On her own decision, Nhu Quynh returned to Thúy Nga with great ease and is still regarded as our famous "Queen of Folk", like she never left the production in the first place.

Discography

Solo albums from Thúy Nga

• 2011: Lạ Giường
• 2010: Duyên Phận
• 2007: The Best Of Như Quỳnh 2 - Áo Hoa (Flower Dress)
• 2005: The Best Of Như Quỳnh
• 2004: Khúc Ca Đồng Tháp (The Song From Đồng Tháp)
• 2003: Tơ Tằm (Silkworm)
• 2002: Tình Ơi...Có Hay (Dear Love... Seemingly)
• 2000: Nhớ Em Lý Bông Mai (Remembering You, The Melody From Bông Mai)
• 2000: Yêu Tiếng Hát Ngày Xưa (Love The Singing From The Past)
• 1999: Tình Yêu Vỗ Cánh (Love On The Wing)

Solo albums - Asia Music | Asia Entertainment!

• 2009: Mưa Buồn (Rain of Sadness)
• 1996: Chuyện Tình Hoa Trắng (Love Story From White Flowers)
• 1995: Rừng Lá Thay Chưa (Have The Forest Foliages Been Shed)
• 1995: Chuyện Hoa Sim (The Story of Rose Myrtle)

Solo albums from NQ Entertainment

• 2011: Lạ Giường (Stranger's Bed)
• 2001: Người Thương Kẻ Nhớ (Missing & Loving You)
• 1998: Nếu Đời Không Có Anh ( If I Live My Life Without You)

Solo albums from NQ Records

• 1998: Vòng Tay Giữ Trọn Ân Tình (The Hands That Protect Our Love)
• 1997: Em Vẫn Hoài Yêu Anh (I Will Still Love You)
• 1996: Một Đời Tìm Nhau (The Whole Life of Searching For Each Other)

Duet albums

• Anh Tiền Tuyến Em Hậu Phương (You, The Solder And I, Your Love)- duet with Trường Vũ (Thúy Nga)
• Không giờ rồi (It's 12:00 AM)- duet with various male singers (Thúy Nga)
• Khi Con Tim Biết Yêu (When You Are Falling In Love)- duet with Thiệu Kỳ Anh (Thúy Nga)
• Gọi Đò (Calling For Raft)- duet with Tường Nguyên (NQ Ent.)
• Xin Đừng Trách Đa Đa (Please Don't Blame On The Chinese Francolin)- duet with Trường Vũ (Thúy Nga)
• Điều Chưa Dám Nói (Things That I Cannot Tell You)- duet with Tường Nguyên (NQ Ent.)
• Tim Vỡ (Heartbreak)- duet with Don Hồ (Thúy Nga)
• Bọt Biển (Sea Foam)- duet with Thế Sơn (Thúy Nga)
• Nói Với Người Tình (Speak With Lover)- duet with Tường Nguyên (NQ Records)
• Hương kỷ niệm - Như Quỳnh ft Huỳnh Gia Tấn

Perfs

Latest news

Apart from returning to Thuynga in Paris By Night 98 after almost three years residing in Asia, performing "Mơ Ánh Trăng Về", Nhu Quynh's 10th album from Thuynga was released on September 1, 2010 and includes the songs "Duyên Phận" (PBN 99), "Nước Cuốn Hoa Trôi & Tình Nàng La Lan" (PBN Divas), and "Mơ Ánh Trăng Về" (PBN 98). Nhu Quynh then released her 11th album Lạ Giường in Spring 2011 under the collaboration with Thúy Nga and her own label, Nhu Quynh Entertainment.

Nhu Quynh just visited Vietnam early in April 2015 to attend the second concert of her two brothers Tuong Nguyen and Tuong Khue. Many people who greeted her at the airport were heartbroken as the image of the "Queen of Golden Music" was blurred. They described her as "fat", "old" and "lifeless".

Quang Le at the time from the US also shared this sorrow with Nhu Quynh. He also revealed that overseas, because of unbearable pressure of public opinion in the country, Như Quỳnh immediately returned to the US on April 5.

Recently, the singers of Thúy Nga production traveled to Singapore in July 2016, and performed in the show "Tình Ca Lam Phương". Here, Như Quỳnh shared her weight loss and her recent news of releasing a duet album with another singer, Trần Quang Hiếu. People of Vietnam and her many fans across the globe shared their happiness of her changes on Facebook, Instagram and blogs.

References

1. ↑ David Khan. "Nhu Quynh by the DKclub". Retrieved 2007-05-23.