The "Ban ghi nho" (Memorandum) concert on the evening of 14/3 transported the audience back to the late 1990s and early 2000s, a period when Qua Dua Hau was a familiar name on student stages and television programs in Vietnam. The three vocalists recounted the group's journey from its early days, through each member's solo path, to their current reunion.

From left: Tuan Hung, Bang Kieu, Tu Dua at the concert. Photo: Hoa Nguyen

The songs maintained the spirit of their original versions, familiar to many, with minimal changes to their rhythm. Ho Hoai Anh, who was a member of the group for a short period, served as the general director. Many audience members were excited, standing and applauding as the singers performed "Mat troi diu em" (music by Duong Thu), a hit from the group's early days. They paid tribute to the late musician Ngoc Chau, Qua Dua Hau's mentor, with a medley of "Thi tham mua xuan" and "Chieu xuan". Ngoc Chau had taught the members how to sing, interact with the audience, and choreograph their performances.

The nostalgic atmosphere continued with "Mua" (music by Tuan Nghia) and "Trai tim khong ngu yen" (music by Thanh Tung). As the melodies filled the air, many audience members from the 70s and 80s generations sang along. The stage incorporated rain visual effects, creating a romantic ambiance.

A conversation between MC Phi Linh and the members brought back memories of the group in their twenties: youthful, enthusiastic, and full of dreams. According to Bang Kieu, he, Tuan Hung, and Tu Dua connected because they were all born and raised in Ha Noi, enjoying wandering and gathering in the Old Quarter, which led to many shared interests. During his time with the group, Bang Kieu sported a buzz cut with long bangs. He recalled being surprised to see many audience members with similar hairstyles at school performances.

At that time, they idolized the popular American boy band Backstreet Boys, covering their song "Get Down". With limited English proficiency, they phonetically transcribed the lyrics into Vietnamese to memorize them. The group shared that watching old videos of their naive dance moves always makes them laugh. Now in their middle age, they dared not dance on the concert stage, fearing it would compromise their singing.

Qua Dua Hau performs "Get Down". Video: Ha Thu

Beyond shared memories, the concert also highlighted the individual journeys of each member after the group disbanded. Bang Kieu's signature is his romantic ballads, such as "Con mo bang gia" (by Le Thanh Trung) and "Tinh bo vo" (by Lam Phuong). Tu Dua found success as a songwriter, creating hits like "Anh nho em", "Giu lai hanh phuc", and "Mot thoi ta la the". Tuan Hung performed a vibrant remix of "Nam lay tay anh", showcasing the energetic style that established his reputation at many music festivals and outdoor stages.

Le Quyen, one of the guest performers, paid tribute to musician Tuong Van, the remaining member of Qua Dua Hau, through a series of songs he wrote, including "Thoi dung chiem bao" and "Giac mo co that". Due to personal commitments, Tuong Van was unable to rejoin the group for this reunion.

Qua Dua Hau group performs "Trai tim khong ngu yen". Video: Ha Thu

The program concluded with "Cam on am nhac" (composed by Tung Sax), a track from the "Ban ghi nho" EP—a project marking Qua Dua Hau's return after many years. The song serves as a tribute from the three artists to music, the bond that connected them from their youth to the present, even as each has built their own life and career.

Audience member Minh Hoai, 47 years old, said the concert felt like a return to his student days, when he and friends would hunt for tickets to see the group perform at the Nha hat Tuoi tre (Youth Theater) and copy their song lyrics into notebooks. "The singers are older now, but when they stand on stage together, they still feel like the young men they once were", he shared.

Qua Dua Hau was once considered a breath of fresh air in Vietnamese music in the late 1990s, known for its talented vocalists and dynamic performances. Formed in 1998, the group quickly gained popularity, frequently appearing in "Hoa hoc tro", a popular publication among students at the time. They performed more than 10 shows in the Gala 98 series, a hit music program in Ha Noi. By June 1998, the group was invited to TP HCM to record their first album. In addition to Vietnamese music, they covered several foreign songs by artists like Backstreet Boys and Bad Boys Blue.

In 1999, singer Bang Kieu, the group's leader, embarked on a solo career. Tu Dua and Tuan Hung invited Minh Quan and Ho Hoai Anh to join for a period, but the lineup did not last. The group subsequently ceased operations. The band's name was Bang Kieu's idea, inspired by the legend of Mai An Tiem and the watermelon. The remaining members supported the name for its pure Vietnamese roots and its meaning of resilience and overcoming hardship.

Ha Thu