In late 2025, the concert hall at the Ha Noi Conservatory was packed with international guests. During a gala concert celebrating major diplomatic events, the Hope Choir performed Vietnamese and international folk songs. Among the over 20 artists on stage, only Professor Ton That Triem and his wife, opera singer Xuan Thanh, were sighted.

"Hearing them sing American folk songs, I felt like I was back home", John, an American audience member, shared.

As the performance concluded, amidst endless applause, the choir bowed in gratitude. The 85-year-old conductor and his wife gently led each student down the steps, assisting with instrument arrangements. Their precise gestures showed that this care had become a natural reflex. "We have been doing this for over 20 years, so we are used to it", Professor Triem said with a smile.

Professor Ton That Triem plays the piano with his wife, artist Xuan Thanh (in a red ao dai), and the Hope Choir performs at the Ha Noi Conservatory, December 2025. Photo: Nga Thanh

Professor Ton That Triem is the sole pianist in Vietnam to achieve excellent ensemble honors at four prestigious international music competitions in Russia. In the early 2000s, after years of teaching and performing across Europe, he returned to Vietnam. Through the connections of the non-governmental organization Samaritan’s Purse, the professor began offering free piano lessons to visually impaired children at Nguyen Dinh Chieu school.

"I want to use music to soothe the children's loneliness, to calm the pain of the sick", he confided. Noticing his students' talent, he invited his wife to teach singing. For many years, rain or shine, the couple rode their old Honda Cub 82 moped over 10 km from Lang Street to Lac Trung Street. The class had no books or braille sheet music; it was taught entirely through an oral method.

Teaching foreign language songs to visually impaired individuals presented a significant challenge. To help his students engage with global cultures, Professor Triem would find and record folk songs from various countries, bringing them back for the students to learn by ear. He also meticulously noted the pronunciation of English, French, and German songs in Vietnamese, thoroughly explaining their meanings so the children could understand and memorize the lyrics.

Practice sessions typically lasted two to three hours each evening. After the students had settled into their dormitories, the two teachers would quietly depart around midnight. In 2003, the Hope Choir was officially established. Beyond teaching music, artist Ton That Triem leveraged all his connections with international organizations to arrange performance opportunities for the students.

A turning point occurred in 2005, during the 10th anniversary of the normalization of Vietnam-US relations. For the first time, these visually impaired children stood before ambassadors and important guests. To prepare for a few minutes in the spotlight, the teachers and students practiced diligently for months.

Professor Triem could not forget the moment he first led his students onto the stage, accompanying them on the piano as they performed for hundreds of spectators. Pride mixed with happiness swelled as the disadvantaged children raised their voices in song.

The US Cultural and Information Counselor at the time, Louis Lantner, emotionally shared: "Professor Ton That Triem is a world-class artist and an extraordinary organizer. We are proud to call him a great teacher".

Professor Ton That Triem's small room at his home on Lang Street, Dong Da Ward, preserves many images and documents about the Hope Choir over the past 23 years. Photo: Quynh Nguyen

When students graduated from Nguyen Dinh Chieu school, the group's activity space moved to the couple's small home on Lang Street. In their modest room, the professor and his wife consistently provided snacks and treats for their students after each practice session. For students with health challenges, Professor Triem proactively hired motorbike taxis to pick them up.

The greatest challenge for the teachers and students involved Arabic songs. In addition to recording them, Professor Triem had to transcribe them into the Latin alphabet and translate each sentence's meaning. Once the students practiced fluently, he contacted embassies to have native speakers verify and correct pronunciation errors. This process often took an entire month.

"Teaching the visually impaired requires absolute patience because they only learn orally. I teach until students are truly confident before putting them on stage", the professor shared. For 23 years, he has not accepted any tuition fees.

To date, the Hope Choir has welcomed many new members, performed thousands of concerts, and recorded 4 CDs featuring national anthems from 20 countries. From their initial hesitant performances, artist Ton That Triem has led the group to successful appearances at numerous diplomatic events for the US, France, Iran, Italy, Brunei, Luxembourg, Kuwait, Australia, Algeria, Switzerland, and others. Many ambassadors have sent thank-you letters, affirming his role in connecting friendships through music.

Through these performances, many talented individuals with challenging destinies have risen. Nguyen Van Linh, 35, a flute artist, joined the group in 2012. Their connection began when the visually impaired young man's flute playing brought tears to the old teacher's eyes. "Your flute playing is very emotional. Would you like to join my band?", Professor Triem's words changed Linh's life.

From an insecure boy, under his teacher's guidance, Linh passed the entrance exam to the National Academy of Music. Currently, despite undergoing dialysis three times each week, he has never missed a practice session. "Teacher did not just teach music, he gave me a new life", Linh emotionally said.

Ms. Q.Bryce AC, Governor-General of Australia, takes a souvenir photo with the Hope Choir on 8/5/2011 after a performance. Photo: Provided by character

At 85, Professor Ton That Triem still worries about many talented students who struggle to make a living from their art. He and his wife diligently connect with others and seek performance opportunities to help the students earn additional income.

"To have this choir today, there were nights when the teachers and students only ate instant noodles to pursue their passion", the old professor said. "My greatest reward in life is not fame, but seeing my 'crescent moon' (visually impaired) students shine brightly under the stage lights".

Professor Ton That Triem and his wife, along with members of the Hope Choir, perform at the Ha Noi Conservatory, late December 2025. Video: Quynh Nga

Quynh Nga