The book, "Chan Dung Khanh Ly - Hat Cung Nguon Coi" (Portrait of Khanh Ly - Singing with the Roots), was developed by the singer and her collaborators over three years. The signing event began at 17h, but many fans arrived two hours early to await the singer. The book event also featured an exhibition of photos of her and musician Trinh Cong Son.

A young fan presented Khanh Ly with a painted portrait. Attendees spanned various age groups, though most were middle-aged, with many stating they had admired Trinh Cong Son's music throughout their youth.

Khanh Ly signed postcards featuring the cover of her album "Doi Cho Ta The" (Life Gives Us This), released in 2000, which compiles many classic songs by Trinh Cong Son.

Tran Tien, one of the artists featured in Khanh Ly's memoir, expressed his admiration for her voice since he started his career, despite her being only two years his senior. After nearly 30 years of acquaintance and only a few meetings, they have always cherished their memories of each other.

During the exchange session, Khanh Ly expressed her happiness that her passion project was finally released. She had previously thought she would not have the opportunity to launch the book after being hospitalized for a stroke in California, USA, in 3/2025. Thanks to timely emergency care, she recovered and returned to normal life.

Following her family's recommendation to "prioritize health," Khanh Ly has limited her singing performances. In mid-february, she returned to Vietnam to participate in activities commemorating 25 years since musician Trinh Cong Son's passing.

Writer Nguyen Thi Minh Ngoc was invited by singer Quang Thanh, the book's editor-in-chief, to participate in the project's early stages, but she could not due to time constraints.

Artist Thanh Thuy maintains a close relationship with the celebrated singer. In 2017, when Khanh Ly returned to Vietnam for a concert, Thanh Thuy joined her on stage, playing the piano and singing "Tuoi Da Buon" (Sad Stone Age) by Trinh Cong Son.

Singer Trinh Vinh Trinh (left), Trinh Cong Son's sister, acknowledged Khanh Ly's contributions to Trinh Cong Son's music.

Last week, she and Khanh Ly traveled to Hue to attend the unveiling of the Trinh Cong Son museum, a long-held wish of the family. The facility includes a dedicated section recreating the musical connection between the musician and Khanh Ly, from their first meeting in Da Lat to their journey as itinerant singers, gaining fame with the "Yellow Skin" love songs.

Singer Cam Van performed "Ha Trang" (White Summer) accompanied by Tran Manh Tuan on saxophone and Vinh Tam on guitar.

Returning from the USA, Cai Luong artist Thanh Thanh Tam shared her long-standing anticipation for a book about Khanh Ly. She was moved watching excerpts from a documentary about the celebrated singer's life, a project released concurrently with the book, and hearing Khanh Ly recount her childhood with her father at 106 Hang Bong street, Hanoi.

Singer Ngoc Anh expressed her admiration for Khanh Ly's voice since the beginning of her career.

Khanh Ly and the ensemble of artists concluded the event by harmonizing on the song "Noi Vong Tay Lon" (Joining Hands in a Great Circle).

The artist, whose real name is Nguyen Thi Le Mai, is 81 years old. She first appeared on stage in 1959 and became a professional singer in 1962 at age 17. Khanh Ly first met Trinh Cong Son in 1964 while performing in Da Lat. In 1967, they reconnected in Saigon. From then, they began one of the most famous artistic collaborations in Vietnamese music history.

After 1975, Khanh Ly and her family relocated to the USA. In late 9/2012, she returned to Vietnam to perform. In 2022, the celebrated singer embarked on her final career tour, "Nhu Mot Loi Chia Tay" (As a Farewell), with a series of concerts in Ho Chi Minh City, Da Lat, Nha Trang, Hanoi, and Da Nang.

Mai Nhat - Quynh Tran