Having composed over 50 songs, many of which have been registered for copyright protection at the Viet Nam Centre for the Protection of Music Copyrights (VCPMC), and being proficient in multiple musical instruments, young singer and composer Ro Lan Le Trong (born 2004, stage name Lee Trong), who is currently studying Graphic Design at Duy Tan University, has made a significant mark in the music world.

Lee Trong is gradually realising his musical dreams at the age of 20. Photo: Lee Trong

“Viet Nam Join Hands” – a non-profit music project to honour individuals and groups who have contributed to overcoming the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi in northern provinces – is a collaboration between Lee Trọng and Ton That Vu, with arrangement and orchestration by Phan Nhat Linh, and the participation of 15 artists from Da Nang. After almost three weeks since its release, the music video for this song has attracted thousands of views and shares on digital platforms. According to Trong, "Viet Nam Join Hands" marks a significant milestone in his musical journey. This is the first time he has worked on a community-focused music project that has been enthusiastically received by the public.

Starting with a passion for music, Trong self-taught himself to play the guitar in the 9th grade, and a turning point in his singing career was meeting the "mountain voice" Vincent Siu Than. For Trong, Siu Than is both a senior and his first music teacher. The first songs Trong composed, inspired by life, love, and student emotions, were reviewed, edited, and guided by Siu Than. It was Siu Than who successfully performed Lee Trong's debut song.

Another song, “Thang 10 co em” (October has you) released around that time, has surpassed 220,000 plays just on YouTube alone. These songs were created using basic recording equipment and an organ that Trong borrowed from a friend. To date, Trong's musical portfolio consists of 54 songs, with pop ballad being the dominant style, featuring autumnal melodies and gentle love themes.

"2024 has brought many new opportunities for me. The highlight was attending a press conference by composer Nguyen Minh Cuong, where I had the chance to interact and learn from experienced figures in the music industry, such as composers Tien Nguyen and Nguyen Phuc Thien." Lee Trọng recalls a valuable opportunity in his career when he attended a music event in Ho Chi Minh City a few months ago. Nguyen Minh Cuong is considered one of the leading "hit makers" in contemporary Vietnamese music, with collaborations with major artists like Noo Phuoc Thinh, Trung Quan Idol, Ha Anh Tuan, Ho Ngoc Ha, Hoai Lam, Ha Nhi.

Nguyen Phuc Thien, a native of Da Nang, also made his mark as the first VPop composer with five songs surpassing 100 million views, alongside a series of impressive tracks performed by Duc Phuc, Erik, Min, and others. Especially notable is his work with the artist OnlyC. Tien Nguyen, in addition to composing heartfelt songs, is also a passionate guitarist in the music community. Lee Trong shared that he has made progress and learned valuable lessons from these influential figures: “Composer Tien Nguyen spent three hours sharing with me about songwriting and his experiences in music production. Every story from these experienced figures teaches me something new to help me improve further.”

Reporting by LAM VIEN- Translating by TRUC VY