Composer Vu Thanh An, 80, has returned to Vietnam from the US to transfer copyright ownership of all musical works to the Vietnamese-American Copyright Protection Joint Stock Company, whose representative is singer Ngoc Cham.

Composer Vu Thanh An and his disciple, singer Ngoc Cham. Photo: The Hanoi Times

After a long-awaited trip, composer Vu Thanh An feels that his wish has been fulfilled when all his musical assets, including hundreds of songs, were donated to his beloved student for charity.

Three years after the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, An was thinking about the future. If he had to leave one day, where would his musical legacy go, and how would it help the country and its people?

Earlier, on a trip back to Vietnam, he met singer Ngoc Cham, and after hearing her talk about her plans to support disadvantaged artists or young artistic talents, he was very appreciative and wanted to join her. He always considered singer Ngoc Cham as his daughter, who accompanied him to many charity activities in Vietnam.

Earlier this week, composer Vu Thanh An signed a letter to transfer his music assets to Cham.

Composer Vu Thanh An asked Cham to accept the copyright of his entire musical legacy, with the intention of using most of the proceeds to help artists and people in need and to nurture young musical talent.

In 2020, when the pandemic was still raging, composer Vu Thanh An decided to donate the copyright of his musical heritage to Cham for charity.

His handwritten letter declared the transfer of all rights (unlimited in space and time) on the Internet of his works to the Vietnamese-American Copyright Protection Joint Stock Company, represented by singer Ngoc Cham.

Lawyer Vu Duc Hoan, the musician's younger brother, said that musician Vu Thanh An had previously allowed Phuong Nam Film to hold the copyright of his songs until the end of 2024. Therefore, the copyright transfer letter to singer Ngoc Cham is like a prearranged will.

"We guarantee to fully respect the terms he signed with Phuong Nam Film," Hoan said.

Upon receiving the signed letter, singer Ngoc Cham thanked the veteran musician for his trust and promised to protect the copyright and make the best use of his musical legacy.

The music copyright transfer ceremony.

“With my love for Vu Thanh An's music, I will preserve, protect and spread his music more widely in the future, so that audiences of all ages can enjoy it," said Cham.

Singer Ngoc Cham also said that in the near future, the composer and the company will set up a fund named after musician Vu Thanh An to finance the composition of love songs, especially to encourage young songwriters.

Vu Thanh An was born in 1943 in the northern province of Nam Dinh. Along with Trinh Cong Son and Ngo Thuy Mien, he is a talented songwriter of Vietnamese romantic music. Many of his songs became huge hits, especially the series of love songs he didn't give titles to, just numbers (Nameless Song No.1, No.2...).

These nameless love songs became very popular in the mid to late 60's when they were first released.

In the context of serious copyright infringement in Vietnamese music, musician Vu Thanh An's gesture is highly appreciated, showing his professionalism in the music business and kindness to the disadvantaged in society.