The artist passed away at the age of 65 on the afternoon of 13/7 in California, USA, after a week in a coma due to a stroke. According to relatives, the day before being hospitalized, she was singing with friends. At 7 a.m. the next day, she got up, showered, and had coffee. After returning inside, she experienced a headache and was taken to the hospital. For many years, she lived peacefully with her daughter. During a trip back to Vietnam, the singer expressed contentment with her life as a single mother.

Trizzie Phuong Trinh and Ngoc Anh 3A were among the colleagues present during the artist's final moments. Before visiting her, they knew her chances of survival were slim but still hoped for a miracle. Ngoc Anh 3A became acquainted with Kieu Nga after arriving in the US in 2008. During gatherings of overseas artists, she cared for her younger colleagues, often taking charge of cooking and household chores.

"Ms. Nga belonged to the previous generation. In the 2000s, she performed less due to some health issues. I admire her clear, bright voice that seemed ageless," Ngoc Anh 3A said.

Singer Kieu Nga (right) with her younger colleague Trizzie Phuong Trinh in 2022. Photo: Trizzie

Singer Kieu Nga (right) with her younger colleague Trizzie Phuong Trinh in 2022. Photo: Trizzie

Singer Quang Thanh remembers Kieu Nga as sincere, straightforward, and passionate about her craft. For every show, she rehearsed meticulously to present a perfect image to the public. As a judge on several programs, she was demanding, setting the requirement: "A singer must, first and foremost, articulate the lyrics clearly." Her directness sometimes alienated some in the industry, leading to fewer performance invitations. She accepted this, unwilling to compromise her principles in a chaotic entertainment scene.

Although her older brother, Elvis Phuong, began singing early on, Kieu Nga's parents didn't support her pursuing music, wanting her to focus on her studies. She only indulged her passion during school activities, remembered by classmates for her "Tieng dan Ta Lu" performance at Le Quy Don High School (TP HCM).

When she first arrived in the US in 1984, Kieu Nga had no intention of singing. A few months later, she ran into an old friend, guitarist Ngoc Trac, who encouraged her to pursue music to avoid wasting her natural talent. Together they formed a band called Xi Trum. After performing at weddings and dances, she caught the attention of several music centers. Her first recordings abroad were dance and French music, which gained popularity. The singer once mentioned that for the first two years, no promoters knew she was Elvis Phuong's sister.

During the new wave era of the 1980s and 1990s, Kieu Nga and Ngoc Lan were considered the two "queens" of the genre. After a joint album, they became a dynamic duo on overseas stages. Both possessed naturally gifted voices and an elegant delivery, perfectly suited to new wave, a genre derived from punk rock with mellow, accessible melodies. Beyond their voices, Kieu Nga and Ngoc Lan captivated audiences with their beauty and style.

The video recording of the song "Anh thi khong" is one of their iconic performances. In the video, they wear form-fitting dresses, sport classic makeup, and appear like royalty. Their clear voices blend, delivering beautiful melodies to the audience. Back then, the two singers prepared their own costumes and choreographed some of the dance moves. On the way to the studio in Los Angeles, Ngoc Lan was so engrossed in rehearsing the lyrics that she accidentally drove in the wrong lane.

Kieu Nga (appearing at 0:10) with Ngoc Lan singing "Anh thi khong" (Toi Jamais) in the US in 1992. Video: May Productions

In real life, they were two complementary pieces. Ngoc Lan was introverted and gentle, while Kieu Nga was proactive and strong. Kieu Nga would often tease her older colleague: "With me, you don't have to be afraid of anyone bullying you."

They conquered audiences with a series of Vietnamese-translated foreign love songs such as "Lai gan ben em," "Van mai yeu anh," and "Ve dau hoi nguoi." The title "Queen of New Wave" made Kieu Nga a top-selling artist, sought after by promoters for sold-out concerts. The renowned singer Khanh Ly once said: "Kieu Nga is a true star. Any night she performed, the venue was packed."

Kieu Nga excelled at singing in English, Japanese, and Chinese, but she left a particular mark with French music. She recorded hundreds of French or bilingual Vietnamese-French songs, including many popular ones like "Donna Donna," "Tat ca cho anh" (Vivre Pour Toi, Mourir Pour Toi), and "Dau" (Mal).

Having learned French from a young age, her pronunciation was impeccable and natural. When recording "Chang" (Lui), Kieu Nga sat with composer Trinh Lam Ngan, explaining the song's meaning for him to write the Vietnamese lyrics. She was also the first to sing "Xuan yeu thuong," a French song with Vietnamese lyrics by Le Duc Cuong, later performed by Dam Vinh Hung on domestic stages.

Singer Le Tuan, who sang with Kieu Nga in the Phuong Nam band in Vietnam in 1983, described her voice as doll-like, clear, both sweet and elegant. Popular not only overseas, Kieu Nga was also loved by many fans in Vietnam. In 1997, when she participated in the "Xuan yeu thuong" program organized by the Saigon Light Music Troupe, the show sold out, with black market ticket prices reaching 500,000 VND.

"To me, Kieu Nga's voice embodies the wistful emotions of a woman facing changes in love and life. In my memory, her soft, sentimental voice at the beginning of 'Xin con goi ten nhau' resonates: 'Tieng hat bay tren hang pho bang khuang / Chieu dong dua nhung buoc chan dau mon'," Le Tuan reminisced.

Singer Kieu Nga in her youth. Photo: Family archives

Singer Kieu Nga in her youth. Photo: Family archives

After two decades, Kieu Nga gradually faded from the spotlight. When Ngoc Lan passed away in 2001, she was devastated by the loss of her close friend. Many singers with voices reminiscent of Ngoc Lan approached her for collaborations, but Kieu Nga declined. On the first anniversary of Ngoc Lan's death, she visited her grave and vowed: "When my daughter turns 18, if I'm fortunate, I will return to the stage."

Kieu Nga kept her promise. In 2015, she returned to Vietnam for a concert commemorating 30 years of singing. Afterward, she performed less frequently, mostly at private events.

Before her passing, she had many musical plans. Over a week prior, many colleagues were delighted to see her at a performance. Earlier this year, she confided in Quang Thanh about missing the stage. With her daughter grown and her life stable, she longed to return to singing and reconnect with her audience. Kieu Nga also wanted to tour with colleagues like Le Uyen and Paolo Tuan at the end of the year, but the plan was not realized.

Ha Thu - Mai Nhat