Classical Guitarist Lê Thu: A Soulful Vietnamese Echo from the Strings

CALITODAY – Fountain Valley (May 14, 2025) – Over 200 Vietnamese guests gathered at The Center at Founders Village to enjoy the exquisite and emotional classical guitar performance by artist Lê Thu, currently residing in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The event, hosted by the Vietnamese American Classical Guitar Society, was introduced by musician Võ Tá Hân, who had organized several classical guitar competitions in Vietnam during the 1990s. He recalled awarding Lê Thu first prize in 2000 when she flew from Hanoi to Saigon to compete.

Now, 25 years later, Lê Thu reunited with her Vietnamese audience in Orange County, delivering a passionate two-hour concert featuring French, Spanish, and Vietnamese pieces. Her rendition of “Niệm Khúc Cuối” (by Ngô Thụy Miên), arranged for guitar by Võ Tá Hân, moved many in the audience.

According to her biography, Lê Thu began learning guitar at the age of 4, taught by her father. By age 7, she became the youngest student admitted to the Hanoi Conservatory. She later trained under renowned international guitarists, becoming one of the most prominent female classical guitarists of Vietnamese origin on the global stage.

She now regularly performs in Europe, the United States, and Asia, and owns a personal YouTube channel where she plays well-known pieces like “Historia De Un Amor”, “Tombe La Neige”, “Qui Sait”, and Vietnamese favorites such as “Xuân Này Con Không Về”.

During the event, her CD “Amor” sold out quickly, with fans lining up for autographs. Notable attendees included musician Nguyễn Đức Đạt and Ms. Tô Thị Thủy – director of Thúy Nga entertainment center.

When asked whether she intended to settle in the U.S., Lê Thu simply smiled — a subtle hint. Given her talent and international reputation, applying for an artist-based residency in America would be a natural and well-deserved path.

As the evening ended, many attendees left still haunted by the lingering beauty of her strings — a tender echo of homeland from the burning deserts of the Middle East to the warm heart of Little Saigon.

Listen to: Historia De Un Amor – Lê Thu