People's Artist Quang Tho: From worker and miner to famous singer, perfect marriage

A former mine worker, the People's Artist soon revealed his talent through the mass movement and became an outstanding opera voice in the Vietnamese music industry. More than titles, what he enjoys in his life as an artist is the career of "growing people".

Monument of Vietnamese Revolutionary music

People's Artist Quang Tho's real name is Nguyen Van Tho, he was born into a family with many brothers in Ha Long, Quang Ninh. When he was 4 years old, the whole family moved to Cam Pha city. Having just finished 8th grade (10-year system), his family advised him to quit school to work and help his parents raise his younger siblings.

As the eldest brother in the family, he temporarily put aside his studies and applied for a job at the Mechanical and Electrical department of Coc Sau Coal Mine. He had to increase his age by two to qualify as a worker. While working in the pit, People's Artist Quang Tho soon revealed his talent through the mass movement and became an excellent opera voice in the Vietnamese music industry.

His voice rose high in dark cellars, in the middle of the night, under a rain of bombs and bullets.

In early 1971, he left Quang Ninh, joined the mine assault art troupe, and walked along the battlefield performing to serve officers and soldiers.

Thanks to his tireless dedication, People's Artist Quang Tho's talent has been recognized by Gold Medals in national performances for many years, with 3 major awards in international music competitions, Quang Tho has been honored was awarded the title of Meritorious Artist in 1993 and People's Artist in 2001. People's Artist Quang Tho was Head of the Vocal Department - Hanoi Conservatory of Music from 2000 to 2008, then retired. In 2007, he opened the Quang Tho Music Training Center.

After many years of dedication in his country's music, he left his own bold mark in each song and epic he performed such as: "Song Lo", "I'm proud to go up, oh Vietnam" by the musician. Chu Minh, "Hanoi's Faith and Hope", "Son Nu Ca", "Red Leaves", "Towards Hanoi", "Love Song", "Sentiments of a Sailor"...

Not only famous for his revolutionary songs, while standing on the podium of the Vietnam National Academy of Music, People's Artist Quang Tho was also a teacher of talented singers and admired by the public. Thanks to him, many generations of students have grown up and become famous singers, including: Tung Duong, Khanh Linh, People's Artist Trung Kien, People's Artist Tran Hieu, Meritorious Artist Lo Thanh, Dang Duong...

Dang Duong shared: "During my first years of studying vocal music, teacher Quang Tho directly guided me. He understood very clearly what I was lacking in order to make up for it. He was extremely affectionate and persistent with each student. "If it weren't for my teacher, I wouldn't be able to become an artist with a solid foundation like today." In addition, the male singer also revealed that artist Quang Tho was also the one who suggested pairing the "red music trio" including Dang Duong, Trong Tan and Viet Hoan.

As for Tung Duong, in his memory, People's Artist Quang Tho was a strict but affectionate and considerate teacher. He has mentored Tung Duong for more than 10 years at the National Academy of Music. Later, even though he did not pursue chamber music, the male singer was still greatly influenced by his teacher.

As one of the great voices of mainstream and Vietnamese music, People's Artist Quang Tho has had a musical career spanning nearly 60 years. The name of People's Artist Quang Tho is known and cherished by many generations. Talking about singing, he believes that each voice is a color.

With the role of support and direction, he always encourages each young singer to develop their personality and practice their stage skills. In front of each student, People's Artist Quang Tho enthusiastically guides and points out weaknesses that need to be overcome, and strengths that need to be promoted...

Half a century of singing and teaching, the journey from miner to people's artist is not without bumps, but People's Artist Quang Tho has walked a beautiful musical path. More than titles, his singing is considered one of the leading vocalists of mainstream music, the root of Vietnamese classical chamber music.

A peaceful life with my wife in her late years

Not only has he had great success in music, People's Artist Quang Tho also has a perfect married life with his wife Ngoc Thanh. It is known that Ms. Ngoc Thanh used to be a dancer of the Thanh Doan Club, possessing a beautiful and gentle beauty. The two have been together for nearly 40 years.

In the eyes of artist Quang Tho, his wife is resourceful, responsible, and wholeheartedly loves her husband and children. Thanks to his strong support, he can concentrate on his artistic career.

Inheriting their father's genes, artist Quang Tho's two sons both pursue musical careers and are teachers at art and culture schools. His eldest son, Quang Tu, is teaching singing at the Vietnam National Academy of Music, while his second son, Quang Tung, is the head of the Guitar department at an art pedagogical school.

Currently, artist Quang Tho is living with his wife in Hanoi. His two sons live separately in the apartment. After overcoming the illness at the end of 2020, he received thoughtful health care every day from his wife Ngoc Thanh. Occasionally on weekends, the male artist and his wife go down to their two sons' house to visit, eat, and teach their grandchildren.

Even though he is in his 80s, People's Artist Quang Tho's voice is still as strong and emotionally intact as before. Recently, he participated in a music live show gathering top Vietnamese singers such as Thanh Lam, Dao To Loan, Lan Anh, People's Artist Quoc Hung, Quang Ha...

Meritorious Artist Mai Chau: A brilliant career, still sharp-minded and noble at U100 Hoàng Phúc19:45:18 11/01/2025Meritorious Artist Mai Chau's real name is Mai Thi Chau, born in 1927 in Vinh city, Nghe An province. She joined the Revolution in August 1945, was a National Salvation Woman, then a self-defense member of Vinh city.