The "Tren Dinh Gio" music video, created in lyric animation style by artist Vu Thanh Nha, depicts the entire Northwest mountainous region like a brocade painting. *Video: YouTube Buc Tuong Band.*

Vietnamese rock legends Buc Tuong have released "Tren Dinh Gio," a new song that adapts the traditional Thai folk melody "Inh la oi," transporting listeners to the scenic Northwest mountains while emphasizing cultural preservation.

"Tren Dinh Gio" marks Buc Tuong's second folk song adaptation, following "Ra Khoi" (an interpretation of "Ly Keo Chai," a Southern folk song) released in 2004. The track evokes the distinct sounds of the Northwest mountains, with guitar and urgent drum rhythms mimicking gusting winds, enveloping the melodic call: "Inh la oi, Sao noong oi." Leader Tran Tuan Hung composed the piece, with band members involved in its production. It features singer Nguyen Viet Lam, musician Luu Quang Minh, bamboo flutist Hoang Anh, and percussionist Tran Xuan Hoa.

The piece delivers a message about preserving national culture: Despite the changes brought by time, the essence of one's homeland endures in every heart. Musician Tran Tuan Hung stated that with this song, Buc Tuong aims to utilize rock music to safeguard and propagate these heritage melodies. He added, "Then, when 'spring arrives, a thousand flowers smile,' these enduring values will be rekindled, resonating with all generations through freedom and passion."

Buc Tuong holds the status of a domestic "rock legend." To date, they have released seven studio albums: Tam Hon Cua Da (2001), Vo Hinh (2003), Nam Cham (2004), Ngay Khac (2010), Dat Viet (2014), Can Bang (2023). Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, the band resonated with generations of students through songs such as Duong Den Ngay Vinh Quang, Bong Hong Thuy Tinh, and Mat Den.

Buc Tuong band, with leader musician Tran Tuan Hung (center). *Photo: Contributed by subject.*

The band has frequently blended powerful rock with folk elements in pieces like Hoa Ban Trang and Men Say. In 2014, their album Dat Viet saw them explore "stories about Vietnamese people from the dawn of time." However, in 2016, fans mourned the passing of Tran Lap, who played a pivotal role in shaping Buc Tuong's musical style and image. He composed numerous songs and served as the band's lead vocalist. Following this loss, the remaining members chose to continue, with guitarist Tran Tuan Hung assuming leadership. The band has since collaborated with vocalists like Pham Anh Khoa, Duong Tran Nghia, and Viet Lam. In 2021, American music magazine Billboard recognized them as Vietnam's first successful rock artists.

Phuong Linh