Lam Phương

1.1. Birth and Childhood

Lam Phương, whose birth name was Lâm Đình Phùng, was born on March 20, 1937, in Vĩnh Thanh Vân village, which is now part of Rạch Giá, Kiên Giang Province, Vietnam. His paternal ancestors were of Chinese descent who had migrated to Vietnam during a period of mass emigration by Chinese individuals opposing the Manchu rule. By his grandfather's generation, the family had already intermarried with Vietnamese people. Lam Phương was the eldest of six children and grew up in poverty with his mother and five younger siblings, as his father had left the family when Lam Phương was very young. His childhood environment, characterized by a river in front of his house and the nearby Thập Phương Temple, deeply influenced his later musical works. Images of small rowing boats ferrying people across the river, the sound of ringing temple bells, and vast rice paddies were etched in his memory from an early age.

1.2. Education and Mentorship

At the age of 10, Lam Phương's mother sent him to Saigon for his education, where he lived with his paternal uncle. He began to teach himself music, exploring various instruments and compositional techniques. He was fortunate to receive guidance and instruction from two influential musicians of the time, Hoàng Lang and Lê Thương, who helped shape his early musical development. His chosen pseudonym, "Lam Phương," was derived from two characters in his real name, "Lâm" and "Phùng," symbolizing "towards the blue sky of hope."

1.3. Early Career Development

Lam Phương composed his first song, "Chiều thu ấy_{Chieu Thu Ay}^Vietnamese", at the age of 15. In the initial stages of his career, he faced considerable financial difficulties. He often had to borrow money from friends to print his sheet music (known as "nhạc bướm_{nhac buom}^Vietnamese") and then rented a music truck to sell his compositions directly to the public throughout Saigon. Despite these struggles, his dedication to songwriting grew. His breakthrough came in 1954 when he gained widespread recognition with two notable songs, "Kiếp nghèo_{Kiep Ngheo}^Vietnamese" and "Chuyến đò vỹ tuyến (Chuyến đò vỹ tuyến_{Chuyen Do Vy Tuyen}^Vietnamese)". Three years later, Lam Phương released a series of songs about his homeland, with "Khúc ca ngày mùa (Khúc ca ngày mùa_{Khuc Ca Ngay Mua}^Vietnamese)" becoming particularly famous. This song was widely adopted by schools in the Mekong Delta region for teaching dance to students, further solidifying his early success.

2.1. Military Career

In 1958, Lam Phương enlisted in the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN). After a period of returning to civilian life, he was re-enlisted and joined the Bảo An entertainment group. Following the disbandment of this group, he became a member of the Hoa Tình Thương performance troupe and later the Central Arts and Culture Group. He continued his service with this group until the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975. During his military career, he composed songs that often reflected the lives and sentiments of soldiers, such as "Bức tâm thư_{Buc Tam Thu}^Vietnamese" and "Tình anh lính chiến_{Tinh Anh Linh Chien}^Vietnamese".

2.2. Refugee Experience and Exile

On the morning of April 30, 1975, as Saigon fell, Lam Phương and his family boarded the Truong Xuan ship to flee Vietnam. Like many others, they were unable to bring any assets with them, leaving their homeland with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Upon arriving in the United States, he was initially transferred to Virginia, then moved to Texas, and finally settled in California. To support his wife and children in their new country, Lam Phương undertook various manual jobs, including cleaning floors, working at Sears, and performing heavy labor such as sharpening and turning. This drastic change from his previous life as a successful and financially secure musician marked a period of immense struggle and hardship. While on the deck of the refugee ship, he composed "Con tàu định mệnh_{Con Tau Dinh Menh}^Vietnamese", which included the poignant lyric, "When I left, the road was already far, now the way back to the country is a thousand times farther." Later, after arriving in the United States, he wrote "Mất_Mat^Vietnamese", expressing the profound sense of loss and disorientation with the line, "After the storm, the sky grew darker, leaving the homeland when life changed."

3.1. Pioneering Tân nhạc

Lam Phương is widely regarded as one of the most significant pioneers of Tân nhạc (Tân nhạc_{Tan Nhac}^Vietnamese), the modern Vietnamese music genre that emerged in the early 20th century. His work was particularly influential in Southern Vietnam, where he played a key role in the development and popularization of this musical style. With 217 popular compositions, he shaped the landscape of Vietnamese popular music from the mid-1950s onwards, becoming a representative figure of the genre.

3.2. Songwriting Style and Themes

Lam Phương's compositions are characterized by their deep emotional resonance and their reflection of personal experiences, often intertwined with the broader social and political contexts of Vietnam. In the 1950s, his music primarily conveyed the emotions surrounding the 1954 migration, with songs like "Chuyến đò vỹ tuyến (Chuyến đò vỹ tuyến_{Chuyen Do Vy Tuyen}^Vietnamese)", "Nhạc rừng khuya_{Nhac Rung Khuya}^Vietnamese", "Đoàn người lữ thứ_{Doan Nguoi Lu Thu}^Vietnamese", and "Nắng đẹp miền Nam_{Nang Dep Mien Nam}^Vietnamese". He also wrote about the Army of the Republic of Vietnam, as seen in "Bức tâm thư_{Buc Tam Thu}^Vietnamese" and "Tình anh lính chiến_{Tinh Anh Linh Chien}^Vietnamese".

By the 1960s, his themes expanded, and he achieved immense financial success. After 1975, his music profoundly reflected his experiences in exile, the pain of broken relationships, and the challenges of adapting to a new life. During this period, he wrote a series of intensely sorrowful songs, many with single-word titles such as "Điên_Dien^Vietnamese", "Mất_Mat^Vietnamese", "Tiếc_Tiec^Vietnamese", "Lầm_Lam^Vietnamese", and "Say_Say^Vietnamese", with "Lầm_Lam^Vietnamese" being particularly famous. After moving to Paris, he found a new love, which inspired a series of cheerful songs like "Bé yêu_{Be Yeu}^Vietnamese", "Bài tango cho em_{Bai Tango Cho Em}^Vietnamese", and "Mùa thu yêu đương_{Mua Thu Yeu Duong}^Vietnamese", the latter referencing his new partner, Hường. A distinctive aspect of Lam Phương's artistic approach was his complete artistic independence; unlike many other songwriters who set poetry to music or wrote Vietnamese lyrics for foreign songs, all of Lam Phương's compositions, both music and lyrics, were entirely his own creations.

3.3. Financial Success and Artistic Independence

The 1960s marked a period of significant commercial success for Lam Phương. His songs generated substantial income, far exceeding the average earnings of the time. For instance, while an army colonel's salary, including allowances, was approximately 50.00 K VND, and a director's salary was similar, Lam Phương once composed "Thành phố buồn (Thành phố buồn_{Thanh Pho Buon}^Vietnamese)" during a performance trip to Da Lat. He sold this single song for 12.00 M VND, an amount that could have purchased 18 cars at the time. This financial prosperity, along with other popular works like "Tình bơ vơ_{Tinh Bo Vo}^Vietnamese" and "Duyên kiếp_{Duyen Kiep}^Vietnamese", established him as a wealthy artist in Vietnam before 1975.

3.4. Collaboration in Other Arts

Beyond his prolific songwriting, Lam Phương also extended his artistic reach into other forms of entertainment. He collaborated with the National Cinema Center, contributing to films focused on social improvement, such as Chân Trời Mới (New Horizon) and Niềm Tin Mới (New Belief). He also composed background music for various drama troupes, including Dân Nam, Kim Cương, and Thẩm Thúy Hằng. His most notable collaboration in theater was with his then-wife, Túy Hồng. In 1968, with Lam Phương's encouragement, Túy Hồng established her own drama troupe, "Sống - Túy Hồng." This troupe became highly successful, and Lam Phương's music was seamlessly integrated into their plays, particularly in outdoor scenes, enhancing their vibrancy and emotional appeal. Conversely, each new song by Lam Phương was often introduced within one of Túy Hồng's plays. These performances, regularly broadcast on Saigon Television every Thursday evening, garnered a large viewership, further cementing the fame of both Lam Phương and Túy Hồng.

3.5. Pseudonyms

In addition to his primary name, Lam Phương also used the pseudonym "Thương Anh_{Thuong Anh}^Vietnamese." This pen name was specifically used for several of his songs, including "Còn mỗi đêm nay_{Con Moi Dem Nay}^Vietnamese", "Kỷ niệm sầu_{Ky Niem Sau}^Vietnamese", and "Xuân mộng_{Xuan Mong}^Vietnamese".

4.1. Marriages and Family

Lam Phương's personal life was intertwined with his creative output. After a period of romantic difficulties, he married Túy Hồng, a prominent actress and playwright. During this marriage, he composed many of his most joyful works, notably "Ngày hạnh phúc_{Ngay Hanh Phuc}^Vietnamese". This song became widely popular and was chosen as the theme music for the Gia Binh Radio Program of the Army Radio Station, frequently used in weddings. The song's famous line, "Night falls, hearing my child cry happily forever," refers to the crying of his first daughter, Ánh Hằng. However, his marriage to Túy Hồng eventually ended in divorce.

Following his divorce from Túy Hồng, Lam Phương moved to Paris, France. Here, he met and married a woman named Hường, who inspired a new series of cheerful songs, including "Mùa thu yêu đương_{Mua Thu Yeu Duong}^Vietnamese", which contained the line "The road to Paris has many pink buds," with "pink" referencing Hường. This relationship also ended, leading him to compose "Tình vẫn chưa yên_{Tinh Van Chua Yen}^Vietnamese". In 1995, Lam Phương returned to the United States and married another woman.

4.2. Health Issues and Resilience

In early 1999, Lam Phương suffered a severe stroke that resulted in hemiplegia, paralyzing half of his body. This period presented immense difficulties, but he also received an outpouring of support and affection. His younger sister left her restaurant in France to fly to the United States and care for him. Additionally, a music lover from Australia purchased a house for him and called him daily to encourage him to speak, even going so far as to remove his wheelchair to prompt him to walk on his own. These acts of kindness significantly aided his recovery, though he never fully regained his previous health. In August 2016, he made a rare public appearance, traveling with artists from Thúy Nga Center to Singapore for the "Tình ca Lam Phương in Singapore_{Tinh Ca Lam Phuong in Singapore}^Vietnamese" program.

4.3. Post-Exile Challenges

After his departure from Vietnam in 1975, Lam Phương faced profound personal hardships. Having left all his assets behind, he endured significant financial difficulties in the United States, performing heavy manual labor to support his family. The subsequent breakdown of his family happiness added to his distress, leading to a period of intense emotional pain that was reflected in many of his songs. Even after moving to Paris, he continued to face challenges, working in a grocery store, sweeping, packing, and carrying goods. He famously remarked that while others sought political asylum, he sought "love asylum," referring to his pursuit of a new relationship. Despite these struggles, he continued to compose, and his experiences in exile profoundly shaped the themes and emotions of his later works.

5.1. Works Before 1975

Lam Phương's compositions from before 1975 often reflected themes of homeland, love, military life, and the social fabric of Southern Vietnam.

• Biển tình_{Bien Tinh}^Vietnamese (1966) (Written for singer Minh Hiếu on Nha Trang beach)
• Biết đến bao giờ_{Biet Den Bao Gio}^Vietnamese (1965) (Dedicated to singer Bạch Yến)
• Bức tâm thư_{Buc Tam Thu}^Vietnamese (1957) (Lyrics by Phương Nhật Hồ, another pseudonym for Hồ Đình Phương, signed Phương Minh Phụng)
• Buồn chi em ơi_{Buon Chi Em Oi}^Vietnamese (1963)
• Chiếc áo mùa đông_{Chiec Ao Mua Dong}^Vietnamese (1960)
• Chiều hành quân_{Chieu Hanh Quan}^Vietnamese (1958)
• Chiều hoang vắng_{Chieu Hoang Vang}^Vietnamese (1968)
• Chiều tàn_{Chieu Tan}^Vietnamese (1959)
• Chiều thu ấy_{Chieu Thu Ay}^Vietnamese (1952) (Lyrics by Cẩm Huệ)
• Chờ người_{Cho Nguoi}^Vietnamese (1970) (Dedicated to singer Bạch Yến)
• Chuyến đò vỹ tuyến (Chuyến đò vỹ tuyến_{Chuyen Do Vy Tuyen}^Vietnamese) (1956)
• Chuyến tàu Thống Nhất_{Chuyen Tau Thong Nhat}^Vietnamese (1957) (Lyrics by Hồ Đình Phương)
• Con chim nhỏ mắt người tình_{Con chim nho mat nguoi tinh}^Vietnamese
• Duyên kiếp_{Duyen Kiep}^Vietnamese (1961)
• Đêm buồn_{Dem Buon}^Vietnamese (1963) (Co-written with Nguyễn Văn Đông)
• Đèn khuya_{Den Khuya}^Vietnamese (1960)
• Đêm dài chiến tuyến_{Dem Dai Chien Tuyen}^Vietnamese (1966)
• Đêm tiền đồn_{Dem Tien Don}^Vietnamese (1970)
• Đoàn người lữ thứ_{Doan Nguoi Lu Thu}^Vietnamese (1956) (Lyrics by Hồ Đình Phương)
• Đời còn nhiều ngăn cách_{Doi Con Nhieu Ngan Cach}^Vietnamese
• Đơn côi_{Don Coi}^Vietnamese (1964)
• Em là tất cả_{Em La Tat Ca}^Vietnamese (1965) (Written for singer Minh Hiếu)
• Giã từ người yêu_{Gia Tu Nguoi Yeu}^Vietnamese (1971)
• Giọt lệ sầu_{Giot Le Sau}^Vietnamese (1969)
• Hoa đầu mùa_{Hoa Dau Mua}^Vietnamese (1959)
• Hương thanh bình_{Huong Thanh Binh}^Vietnamese (1955)
• Khóc thầm_{Khoc Tham}^Vietnamese (1972)
• Khúc ca ngày mùa (Khúc ca ngày mùa_{Khuc Ca Ngay Mua}^Vietnamese) (1955)
• Kiếp nghèo (Kiếp nghèo_{Kiep Ngheo}^Vietnamese) (1955)
• Kiếp tha hương_{Kiep Tha Huong}^Vietnamese (1961)
• Kiếp ve sầu_{Kiep Ve Sau}^Vietnamese (1959)
• Kỷ niệm sầu_{Ky Niem Sau}^Vietnamese (Published under the pseudonym Thương Anh_{Thuong Anh}^Vietnamese)
• Lá thư xanh_{La Thu Xanh}^Vietnamese (1962) (Co-written with Hoàng Lang)
• Lá thư xuân_{La Thu Xuan}^Vietnamese (1955) (Co-written with Hoàng Lang)
• Lá thư miền Trung_{La Thu Mien Trung}^Vietnamese (1957) (Lyrics by Hồ Đình Phương)
• Lạy trời con được bình yên_{Lay Troi Con Duoc Binh Yen}^Vietnamese (1974)
• Lời yêu cuối_{Loi Yeu Cuoi}^Vietnamese (1974)
• Mộng ước_{Mong Uoc}^Vietnamese (1960)
• Một đêm trăng_{Mot Dem Trang}^Vietnamese (1956)
• Một kỷ niệm_{Mot Ky Niem}^Vietnamese (1965)
• Mùa hoa phượng_{Mua Hoa Phuong}^Vietnamese (1955) (Co-written with Hoàng Thi Thơ)
• Nắng đẹp miền Nam_{Nang Dep Mien Nam}^Vietnamese (1956) (Lyrics by Hồ Đình Phương)
• Ngày buồn_{Ngay Buon}^Vietnamese (1971)
• Ngày hạnh phúc_{Ngay Hanh Phuc}^Vietnamese (1960)
• Ngày tạm biệt_{Ngay Tam Biet}^Vietnamese (1960)
• Nghẹn ngào_{Nghẹn Ngao}^Vietnamese (1969)
• Nhạc rừng khuya_{Nhac Rung Khuya}^Vietnamese (1954)
• Nhớ_Nho^Vietnamese (1995)
• Như giấc chiêm bao_{Nhu Giac Chiem Bao}^Vietnamese (1990)
• Những gì cho em_{Nhung Gi Cho Em}^Vietnamese (1968)
• Phút cuối_{Phut Cuoi}^Vietnamese (1971)
• Rừng xưa_{Rung Xua}^Vietnamese (1963)
• Sầu ly hương_{Sau Ly Huong}^Vietnamese (1955) (Co-written with Lê Mộng Bảo)
• Thành phố buồn (Thành phố buồn_{Thanh Pho Buon}^Vietnamese) (1970)
• Thu sầu_{Thu Sau}^Vietnamese (1969)
• Thuyền không bến đỗ_{Thuyen Khong Ben Do}^Vietnamese (1973)
• Thương con_{Thuong Con}^Vietnamese
• Thương nhau trọn đời_{Thuong Nhau Tron Doi}^Vietnamese
• Tiễn người đi_{Tien Nguoi Di}^Vietnamese (1960) (Dedicated to singer Bạch Yến)
• Tình anh lính chiến_{Tinh Anh Linh Chien}^Vietnamese (1959)
• Tình bơ vơ_{Tinh Bo Vo}^Vietnamese (1969)
• Tình chết theo mùa đông_{Tinh Chet Theo Mua Dong}^Vietnamese (1974)
• Tình cố đô_{Tinh Co Do}^Vietnamese (1955) (Co-written with Mạnh Thường)
• Tình đầu muôn thuở_{Tinh Dau Muon Thuo}^Vietnamese (1966)
• Tình mẹ_{Tinh Me}^Vietnamese (1956) (Lyrics by Hồ Đình Phương)
• Tình nghĩa đôi ta chỉ thế thôi_{Tinh Nghia Doi Ta Chi The Thoi}^Vietnamese (1965)
• Tình như mây khói_{Tinh Nhu May Khoi}^Vietnamese (1973)
• Trăm nhớ ngàn thương_{Tram Nho Ngan Thuong}^Vietnamese (1970)
• Trăng thanh bình_{Trang Thanh Binh}^Vietnamese (1954)
• Vĩnh biệt_{Vinh Biet}^Vietnamese (1964)
• Xin thời gian qua mau_{Xin Thoi Gian Qua Mau}^Vietnamese (1967)
• Xuân hòa bình_{Xuan Hoa Binh}^Vietnamese / Xuân mộng_{Xuan Mong}^Vietnamese (Published under the pseudonym Thương Anh_{Thuong Anh}^Vietnamese)

5.2. Works After 1975

Following his exile, Lam Phương's music took on new themes reflecting his life abroad, marked by longing for his homeland, personal struggles, and new loves.

• Anh đã biết_{Anh Da Biet}^Vietnamese (1989)
• Bài Tango cho em_{Bai Tango Cho Em}^Vietnamese (1980)
• Bài thơ không đoạn kết_{Bai Tho Khong Doan Ket}^Vietnamese (2004)
• Bãi nắng_{Bai Nang}^Vietnamese (1991)
• Bé yêu_{Be Yeu}^Vietnamese (1984)
• Biển sầu_{Bien Sau}^Vietnamese (1983)
• Bọt biển_{Bot Bien}^Vietnamese (1982)
• Buồn_Buon^Vietnamese (1978) (Different from the song by Y Vân)
• Buồn không em_{Buon Khong Em}^Vietnamese (1987)
• Cám ơn người tình_{Cam On Nguoi Tinh}^Vietnamese (1997)
• Chắp tay nguyện cầu_{Chap Tay Nguyen Cau}^Vietnamese (1982)
• Chấp nhận_{Chap Nhan}^Vietnamese (1984)
• Chỉ có em_{Chi Co Em}^Vietnamese (1986)
• Chỉ còn là kỷ niệm_{Chi Con La Ky Niem}^Vietnamese
• Chiều hoang đảo_{Chieu Hoang Dao}^Vietnamese (1981)
• Chiều Tây Đô (Chiều Tây Đô_{Chieu Tay Do}^Vietnamese) (1984)
• Cho em quên tuổi ngọc_{Cho Em Quen Tuoi Ngoc}^Vietnamese (Sung in French by singer Bạch Yến)
• Chờ_Cho^Vietnamese (1978)
• Chờ một ngày_{Cho Mot Ngay}^Vietnamese (1996)
• Chúc mừng_{Chuc Mung}^Vietnamese (1998)
• Chung mộng_{Chung Mong}^Vietnamese (1998)
• Chuyện buồn ngày xuân_{Chuyen Buon Ngay Xuan}^Vietnamese (1976)
• Chuyện tình nàng Tô Thị_{Chuyen Tinh Nang To Thi}^Vietnamese (1998)
• Cỏ úa_{Co Ua}^Vietnamese (1987)
• Con đường tôi về_{Con Duong Toi Ve}^Vietnamese (Co-written with Lê Tín Hương)
• Con tàu định mệnh_{Con Tau Dinh Menh}^Vietnamese (1975)
• Còn mỗi đêm nay_{Con Moi Dem Nay}^Vietnamese (Published under the pseudonym Thương Anh_{Thuong Anh}^Vietnamese)
• Dòng lệ_{Dong Le}^Vietnamese (1990)
• Đà Lạt cô liêu_{Da Lat Co Lieu}^Vietnamese (1987)
• Đánh mất đêm vui_{Danh Mat Dem Vui}^Vietnamese
• Đò tình_{Do Tinh}^Vietnamese (1990)
• Đoạn cuối một cuộc tình_{Doan Cuoi Mot Cuoc Tinh}^Vietnamese
• Đường đi trọn kiếp_{Duong Di Tron Kiep}^Vietnamese
• Đường về quê hương_{Duong Ve Que Huong}^Vietnamese (1981)
• Đường trần_{Duong Tran}^Vietnamese (2000)
• Em đi rồi_{Em Di Roi}^Vietnamese (1988) (Dedicated to singer Họa Mi)
• Gác vắng_{Gac Vang}^Vietnamese (1992)
• Giòng lệ_{Giong Le}^Vietnamese
• Gửi người ngàn dặm_{Gui Nguoi Ngan Dam}^Vietnamese (1982)
• Hạnh phúc mang theo_{Hanh Phuc Mang Theo}^Vietnamese (2003)
• Hạnh phúc trong tầm tay_{Hanh Phuc Trong Tam Tay}^Vietnamese (1998)
• Khóc mẹ_{Khoc Me}^Vietnamese (1979)
• Kiếp phiêu bồng_{Kiep Phieu Bong}^Vietnamese (1992)
• Lầm_Lam^Vietnamese (1978)
• Mất_Mat^Vietnamese (1978)
• Mình mất nhau bao giờ_{Minh Mat Nhau Bao Gio}^Vietnamese (1984)
• Một đời tan vỡ_{Mot Doi Tan Vo}^Vietnamese (1983)
• Một mình_{Mot Minh}^Vietnamese (1989)
• Một suy tư_{Mot Suy Tu}^Vietnamese (1990)
• Một thời hoa mộng_{Mot Thoi Hoa Mong}^Vietnamese
• Mơ_Mo^Vietnamese (1978)
• Mưa lệ_{Mua Le}^Vietnamese (1991)
• Mùa phượng cuối_{Mua Phuong Cuoi}^Vietnamese
• Mùa thu yêu đương_{Mua Thu Yeu Duong}^Vietnamese (1980)
• Mùa thu vào mộng_{Mua Thu Vao Mong}^Vietnamese (1989)
• Mùa xuân nào ta về_{Mua Xuan Nao Ta Ve}^Vietnamese (1985)
• Mùa xuân không còn nữa_{Mua Xuan Khong Con Nua}^Vietnamese (1989)
• Ngày em đi_{Ngay Em Di}^Vietnamese (1992)
• Nguyện cầu cho người_{Nguyen Cau Cho Nguoi}^Vietnamese (198)
• Niềm tin_{Niem Tin}^Vietnamese
• Niềm vui đơn côi_{Niem Vui Don Coi}^Vietnamese (1987)
• Niềm vui không trọn vẹn_{Niem Vui Khong Tron Ven}^Vietnamese (1999)
• Nửa đời yêu em_{Nua Doi Yeu Em}^Vietnamese / Nửa đời gian khổ_{Nua Doi Gian Kho}^Vietnamese (1985)
• Quên_Quen^Vietnamese (1978)
• Rừng xanh thương nhớ_{Rung Xanh Thuong Nho}^Vietnamese (1984)
• Sài Gòn ơi vĩnh biệt_{Sai Gon Oi Vinh Biet}^Vietnamese (Different from the song by Nam Lộc)
• Sầu viễn xứ_{Sau Vien Xu}^Vietnamese (1989)
• Say_Say^Vietnamese (1978)
• Tạ ơn mẹ_{Ta On Me}^Vietnamese (1997)
• Tàn thu_{Tan Thu}^Vietnamese (1998)
• Tàu về tương lai_{Tau Ve Tuong Lai}^Vietnamese (1983)
• Tháng Tư buồn_{Thang Tu Buon}^Vietnamese (1981)
• Thiên đàng ái ân_{Thien Dang Ai An}^Vietnamese (1980)
• Thu đến bao giờ_{Thu Den Bao Gio}^Vietnamese (1983)
• Thương_Thuong^Vietnamese (1981)
• Thương về quê em_{Thuong Ve Que Em}^Vietnamese (1990)
• Tiếc_Tiec^Vietnamese (1978)
• Tim vỡ_{Tim Vo}^Vietnamese (1998)
• Tìm vết chân xưa_{Tim Vet Chan Xua}^Vietnamese (1990)
• Tình đau_{Tinh Dau}^Vietnamese (1990) (Different from the song by Hoàng Trọng)
• Tình đẹp như mơ_{Tinh Dep Nhu Mo}^Vietnamese (1988)
• Tình hè_{Tinh He}^Vietnamese (1989)
• Tình hồng Paris_{Tinh Hong Paris}^Vietnamese (1990)
• Tình lặng lẽ_{Tinh Lang Le}^Vietnamese
• Tình mùa đông_{Tinh Mua Dong}^Vietnamese
• Tình người viễn xứ_{Tinh Nguoi Vien Xu}^Vietnamese
• Tình vẫn chưa yên_{Tinh Van Chua Yen}^Vietnamese (1983)
• Tình trăm năm_{Tinh Tram Nam}^Vietnamese (1992)
• Tôi sẽ đi_{Toi Se Di}^Vietnamese (1990)
• Trả lại em_{Tra Lai Em}^Vietnamese (1985)
• Trước lầu Ngưng Bích_{Truoc Lau Ngung Bich}^Vietnamese (1996)
• Tuổi mơ_{Tuoi Mo}^Vietnamese (1995)
• Tuyết muộn_{Tuyet Muon}^Vietnamese (1997)
• Vĩnh biệt người tình_{Vinh Biet Nguoi Tinh}^Vietnamese
• Vòng tay chờ đợi_{Vong Tay Cho Doi}^Vietnamese (1986)
• Vùng trời ngày đó_{Vung Troi Ngay Do}^Vietnamese (1988)
• Xa_Xa^Vietnamese (1994)
• Xót xa_{Xot Xa}^Vietnamese (Different from the song by Tô Thanh Tùng)
• Yêu nhau bốn mùa_{Yeu Nhau Bon Mua}^Vietnamese (1991)
• Yêu thầm_{Yeu Tham}^Vietnamese (1994) (Different from the song by Hồng Vân)

7.1. Artistic and Social Assessment

Lam Phương is celebrated as one of the most prolific and influential songwriters in the history of Vietnamese popular music. His artistic merit lies in his ability to craft melodies and lyrics that resonated deeply with the experiences and emotions of the Vietnamese people, particularly during periods of significant social and political upheaval. His songs often served as a poignant reflection of the human condition, addressing themes of love, loss, longing for homeland, and the struggles of displacement. While his work primarily focused on personal and romantic narratives, his compositions also subtly captured the collective sentiments of a nation in transition, making them socially relevant. His unique practice of writing both music and lyrics for all his songs underscored his artistic independence and vision.

7.2. Influence on Subsequent Generations

Lam Phương's extensive body of work has left an indelible mark on Vietnamese music, influencing countless musicians and songwriters across generations. His melodic structures, lyrical depth, and emotional sincerity set a high standard for songwriting. Many contemporary artists continue to perform and reinterpret his songs, ensuring their enduring popularity and introducing them to new audiences. His ability to convey complex emotions through simple yet profound language has inspired a legacy of expressive and heartfelt songwriting in Vietnamese popular music.

7.3. Contribution to Vietnamese Music

Lam Phương's contribution to the evolution and enrichment of the Vietnamese musical tradition is immense. He was a key figure in shaping the sound and thematic content of Tân nhạc (Tân nhạc_{Tan Nhac}^Vietnamese), particularly in Southern Vietnam. His songs captured the essence of different eras, from the optimism and anxieties of pre-1975 Vietnam to the profound sorrow and resilience of the Vietnamese diaspora. His music served as a cultural bridge, connecting Vietnamese people across geographical divides and preserving a shared heritage through art. His unique blend of traditional Vietnamese sentiment with modern musical forms solidified his place as a master of his craft and an indispensable part of Vietnamese musical history.

8.1. Tributes by Artistic Organizations and Performers

The Thúy Nga Center, particularly through its popular Paris By Night gala series, has frequently honored Lam Phương's music. Four "Paris By Night" shows have been entirely devoted to his songs:

• Paris By Night 22: 40 Năm âm nhạc Lam Phương_{40 Nam Am Nhac Lam Phuong}^Vietnamese (40 Years of Lam Phương's Music)
• Paris By Night 28: Lam Phương 2 - Dòng nhạc tiếp nối - Sacrée Soirée 3_{Lam Phuong 2 - Dong Nhac Tiep Noi - Sacree Soiree 3}^Vietnamese (Lam Phương 2 - Continuing Music - Sacrée Soirée 3)
• Paris By Night 88: Lam Phương - Đường về quê hương_{Lam Phuong - Duong Ve Que Huong}^Vietnamese (Lam Phương - The Road Home)
• Paris By Night 102: Nhạc yêu cầu - Tình ca Lam Phương_{Nhac Yeu Cau - Tinh Ca Lam Phuong}^Vietnamese (Requested Music - Lam Phương's Love Songs)

Additionally, the Thúy Nga Music Box series has featured several episodes dedicated to his love songs, including "Thúy Nga Music Box #12: Hương Lan & Marie Tô - Tình ca Lam Phương_{Tinh Ca Lam Phuong}^Vietnamese", "Thúy Nga Music Box #18: Ngọc Anh - Tình ca Lam Phương_{Tinh Ca Lam Phuong}^Vietnamese & Phú Quang", "Thúy Nga Music Box #42: Mạnh Quỳnh & Phi Nhung - Tình khúc Lam Phương - Phút Cuối_{Tinh Khuc Lam Phuong - Phut Cuoi}^Vietnamese", and "Thúy Nga Music Box #54: Tuấn Vũ, Băng Tâm, Phương Yến Linh, Tuấn Phước - Tình khúc Lam Phương - Biển Tình_{Tinh Khuc Lam Phuong - Bien Tinh}^Vietnamese." The Asia Entertainment Center also dedicated a program to him, Asia 77: Dòng Nhạc Anh Bằng & Lam Phương_{Dong Nhac Anh Bang & Lam Phuong}^Vietnamese, alongside musician Anh Bằng. Many prominent singers, including Hương Lan, Bạch Yến, Lưu Hồng, Họa Mi, Ý Lan, Hạ Vy, and Ngọc Anh, have released albums exclusively featuring Lam Phương's music.

8.2. Re-evaluation and Recognition in Vietnam

In recent years, there has been a growing re-evaluation and recognition of Lam Phương's work within Vietnam, signaling a broader trend of national reconciliation and cultural appreciation. In 2016, Voice of Vietnam's VOV3 channel, in its "Âm nhạc 168_{Am Nhac 168}^Vietnamese" (Music 168) program, respectfully featured Lam Phương and his famous song "Thành phố buồn (Thành phố buồn_{Thanh Pho Buon}^Vietnamese)", with the title "Nhạc sĩ Lam Phương: 64 năm tận hiến cho âm nhạc_{Nhac Si Lam Phuong: 64 nam tan hien cho am nhac}^Vietnamese." This official recognition on a state-run media channel was seen as a significant step towards national reconciliation.

On August 15, 2018, the "Lam Phương - The Gift_{Lam Phuong - The Gift}^Vietnamese" project was launched in Ho Chi Minh City. Initiated by overseas Vietnamese singer Hoàng Hiệp and friends in the United States, with singer Phạm Quỳnh Anh featured throughout the series, the project aimed to introduce Lam Phương's music to a new generation. Lam Phương himself participated in some episodes to encourage the singers and band. The project, which aired weekly on YouTube starting August 18, also included a live online conversation with Vietnamese media, during which Lam Phương, despite his poor health, expressed his hope to return to Vietnam to meet his audience. The project notably introduced "Buồn_Buon^Vietnamese" (Sad), one of Lam Phương's lesser-known songs, which had been recorded by the renowned singer Khánh Ly but rarely performed by others. In 2019, the book Lam Phương - Trăm nhớ ngàn thương_{Lam Phuong - Tram Nho Ngan Thuong}^Vietnamese (Lam Phương - A Hundred Memories, A Thousand Loves), chronicling his life and career, was published by Phanbook and Women's Publishing House, based on materials provided by his family to journalist Nguyễn Thanh Nhã.