“Tình ơi! Dù sao đi nữa, xin vẫn yêu em” (Love! No matter what, I still love you) – That is the only thing I want to say about love. Let us give, let us accept, and let us forgive, so that love may forever remain our faith and hope.”
These heartfelt words by musician Ngô Thụy Miên, shared with Nguyễn Quang (son of his close friend, musician Nguyễn Ánh 9), reveal a warm and steadfast heart devoted to his lifelong love — his wife, Đoàn Thanh Vân.
A Lifetime of Love Songs for One Woman
Ngô Thụy Miên, whose real name is Ngô Quang Bình, was born on September 26, 1948, in Hải Phòng. He was a gifted composer who carved his own path in music, pursuing a unique style that avoided elaborate storytelling or excessive melancholy. He once said, “I don’t compose music to live, but I live to compose music,” illustrating that he lived for art rather than using his creations as a means to chase monetary gain.
Ngô Thụy Miên approached music with his own personal emotions, without any commercial intentions. As he declared, his music transcended the constraints of those who used songs and lyrics as a livelihood, as was common among some of his contemporaries.
He wrote for himself, driven by his genuine feelings, stating, “I don’t write for everyone.” Despite this personal approach, his music resonated deeply with many, capturing the emotions of anyone who has ever experienced the stirrings of love.
Nguyễn Quang, who knew Ngô Thụy Miên from his childhood in Saigon and has corresponded with him frequently since, is convinced that the musician had only one muse in his life: his wife. She was the inspiration behind all of his songs, from the earliest to the latest.
From “Chiều nay không có em” (This Afternoon Without You), written in 1963 in Saigon and introduced to the public in 1965, Ngô Thụy Miên composed for his love. Through the turmoil and chaos of life, to the songs he penned in America, all were dedicated to her.
Đoàn Thanh Vân was the daughter of renowned actor Đoàn Châu Mậu, one of Saigon’s biggest stars in the 1960s. After “Chiều nay không có em”, written during his one-sided admiration for her beauty, he composed “Mùa thu cho em” (Autumn for You) when their budding romance began, celebrating the tender blush of young love.
By the time he wrote “Niệm khúc cuối” (The Last Serenade) in 1971—a bright, romantic song widely regarded as his most recorded and performed piece—Ngô Thụy Miên further affirmed his unyielding and passionate love: “Even through the rain, I will walk you to the end of life.”
True to his lyrics, their love faced storms, clouds, and trials—not from a third party but from the vast challenges of separation and life’s harsh realities. In 1973, they became engaged, with plans to marry after Vân’s university graduation. Yet, unforeseen circumstances tore them apart. Still, Ngô Thụy Miên endured every storm, crossing oceans to reunite with his beloved, declaring:
“No matter what, I still love you.”
They reunited and married in America in 1979. In the joy of their reunion, Ngô Thụy Miên composed “Em về mùa thu” (You Returned in Autumn), a jubilant melody celebrating their happiness:
“Love ascends the soul with passion/ Dreams trace the soft embrace of love.”
A Private Corner of the World with His Wife
Nguyễn Quang shares that after their arduous journey to reunite, Ngô Thụy Miên and his wife chose a reclusive life, far removed from the public’s expectations of a celebrated musician.
Eschewing public performances, Ngô Thụy Miên worked as an ordinary laborer to support his family. The couple settled in Olympia, Washington, living quietly in a home on a hill in the suburbs.
Despite admirers seeking him out, Ngô Thụy Miên avoided using a phone and communicated sparingly via email. He guarded their private space so fiercely that even close friends like Nguyễn Ánh 9 did not know their address.
In their secluded world, he often played and sang for his wife, pouring his heart into melodies that celebrated their enduring love:
“Love is like sunshine, sunshine brings you back, by the dreamy stream/ Lightly swaying with the breeze, the breeze carries vows, far from the old place…”
Initially, he intended to keep this song private for his wife. It remained hidden for years until singer Tuấn Ngọc requested to record it, spreading its beauty far and wide.
“There isn’t a love in any romantic novel as beautiful as this. This love surpasses novels, even films,” Nguyễn Quang admired.
In essence, Ngô Thụy Miên’s music is a testament to authenticity and artistic integrity. By composing from the depths of his own emotions and staying true to his unique vision, he created timeless works that transcend personal expression, speaking to the universal experiences of love and longing. His legacy stands as a reminder that art born from sincerity has the power to touch countless hearts.