Renowned musician Phu Quang, 72, passed away in Hanoi on December 8, after two years of battling diabetes complications. 

Quang, whose full name was Nguyen Phu Quang, was born in 1949 in Cam Khe District in the northern province of Phu Tho. He and his family moved to live in Hanoi in 1954. In 1985, the composer settled down in Ho Chi Minh City but frequently returned to the capital city, the place that inspired many of his music creations.

The music composer is famous for his great songs themed Hanoi. Photo courtesy of Phu Quang Fan Club

Phu Quang spent most of his life composing songs about Hanoi, with around 600 pieces of music. The talented musician wrote the melody for many poems which then became famous songs, like Em oi, Hanoi Pho (My Dear, Hanoi’s Streets), Hanoi Ngay Tro Ve (Hanoi in the Reunion Day), Im Lang Dem Hanoi (Hanoi on the Quiet Night), among others.

Among Quang’s famous songs themed Hanoi, the one entitled “My Dear, Hanoi’s Streets” was the best-known. The poem was penned by late poet Phan Vu in 1972 but only with Quang’s melody that it became known.

The song was first sung on the radio in 1987 by singer Le Thu and then other famous singers like Ngoc Tan, Thanh Lam, and Bang Kieu. Since then, it has become one among a few iconic songs about Hanoi and is familiar to all generations of Hanoians until nowadays.

The song-writer has published two song collections in 1990 and 1995. 

In addition, Phu Quang also wrote the soundtrack for hundreds of films, plays, ballet. He also authored many symphonies and orchestral works. Many excerpts of his concert have become the idents of the Voice of Vietnam Radio’s programs.

He was honored with the Excellent Citizen of the Capital 2014 title on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Hanoi’s Liberation Day (October 10, 1954 - October 10, 2014).

In 2020, Quang won the Grand Prize of the 13th Bui Xuan Phai – For Love of Hanoi Awards for his renowned and immortal songs about the capital city.

The song Hanoi Ngay Tro Ve (Hanoi in the Reunion Day)