As a child, he studied national literature at the village school and studied Chinese literature with the scholars at home. In addition, he also studied music. He is quite knowledgeable in Chinese literature and is quite proficient in using traditional musical instruments, especially the zither.
Born in a Confucian family, he pursued Confucian literature and had an early talent for music, but when he grew up, he had no inclination toward academics or theater. He is more passionate about writing and poetry
The short story "Young Man", his first short story, was published in Dan Moi newspaper in 1942. In the same year, his poem "Dreamtime" was also published in the newspaper "New Commune".
He wrote prose and poetry but had no relationship with literature. In 1945, he switched to composing Cai Luong opera. The play "Soldier's Soul", his first play, with anti-French colonial content, was organized and sold tickets by the Administrative Resistance Committee of Tra Cu district (at that time Tran Chi Nam district). contribute to resistance funds.
He was about to join the resistance when his family encountered a tragedy. In 1946, his sixth brother, Huynh Thanh Tong, was captured by the French and forced to death at Long Toan station. To avoid terrorism, he left Don Chau to Vinh Long to stay in a friend's house and then wandered to Saigon. His pen name "Vien Chau" meaning far from Don Chau was formed during this time.
In 1947, Vien Chau participated in siege work in Saigon and was arrested by the French along with four other comrades. He was exiled to live in Cam Giang (Tay Ninh).
After returning home in peace, he wrote the opera "Crushed Petals of the Forest" to denounce the French colonial regime and the exploitation of the French plantation owners. The Cai Luong play "Crushed Petals of the Forest" was performed by the Nam Chau Vietnamese Opera troupe in 1950. This was his first Cai Luong play performed on the grand stage.
Since 1950, through the reformed play "Rotten Petals of the Forest", Vien Chau's name began to attract attention from music lovers. And during this time, his music and Bay Ba's music were also continuously recorded and released by record companies. Along with the Nam Co zither fingering, the Bay Ba dan Tranh fingering are two ancient musical instrument fingers that have been highly appreciated and considered masters by the music lovers. Vien Chau is both a famous pianist and a composer.
During his time in Saigon, in addition to the Nam Chau Vietnamese opera troupe, he also collaborated with theater troupes: Kim Thanh Ut Tra On (1955), Thanh Tao (1958), Thanh Nga (1962), Da Ly Huong (1969). , Tan Hoa Lan (1969). At the same time, he also collaborated with record labels: Vietnam (1950), Kim Long (1951), Viet Hai (1953), Thang Long (1954), Song Moi (1968), Green Day Music (1969), Hon water (1973),…
After 1975, he collaborated with the City Van Cong Group (1975), Saigon Audio tape company (1978) and many theater groups in the provinces. In 1984, he and art troupe 284 toured in Western European countries such as Germany, Belgium, France, and Italy.
One of Vien Chau's creations that has special significance in the field of art is the combination of new music into the Vong Co version, which he called "New and Ancient Love". His first version of "New Ancient Love" was titled "Who Are You" (music by Nguyen Huu Thiet) sung by Le Thuy in 1964. In addition, in terms of music, he also composed a short amateur song. named "Da Khuc" was recorded in the ancient music tape "Concert I" made by Saigon Audio in 1978.
Due to his achievements in performing the zither instrument and many other contributions in the field of ancient music, he was awarded the title "Elite Artist" by the State in 1988. In addition to this title, he is also admired by music enthusiasts. The title is "King who wrote Vong Co lyrics".
This respect is not excessive. Over more than 50 years of composing, he left behind a huge treasure trove of works. Over 50 Cai Luong plays have been performed on major stages and over 2,000 Vong Co versions have been recorded and released by record companies.
His operas that are best known to audiences are: Broken Forest Petals, Mother's Love, Miss Nga's Life, Behind the Velvet Curtain, Umbrella Flower, Han Mac Tu's Love Story, The King and His Concubine, Qua nightmare, Love debt, Mulan, Mulan's daughter, Two spring smiles, Who's crazy and who's awake,...
The reformed play "Who is crazy, who is awake" in February 1975, under the old regime, was voted by the Saigon press as the best reformed play in the South in 1974.
Regarding Vong Co, many of his Vong Co songs are popular with listeners such as: Love of a Selling Mat, Sad King's Music, Vo Dong So - Bach Thu Ha, Luong Son Ba - Chuc Anh Dai, Tan Quynh Crying for You, Betel Leaves green, A woman's heart, Lan and Diep, Han Mac Tu, Confessions of Mai Dinh, Confessions of Mong Cam, Spring in a foreign land, Cultivation is the source of blessing, Carrying water on a moonlit night, Phuong's grave, Carrying grapefruit in Bien Hoa, Miss Hang fresh tea, Late at night looking after her husband, Mother teaching her children, Pham Lai saying goodbye to Tay Thi, Phan Le Hue, Tu Duc crying at Bang Phi, Umbrella flower, Who goes to Hue, Ben Ngu at night, Ha Tien sea breeze, Cold night Prison, Han De Farewell to Chieu Quan, Duong Quy Phi, Kiep Cam Ca, Life of a Dancer, Falling Almond Leaves, Farewell to the Hometown, He Far Away from the Poor Country,...
In the two Vong Co songs "Farewell to the homeland" (1960) and "I'm far away from the poor hometown" (1974) contain the pain of leaving the homeland and the longing for his hometown of Tra Vinh. His feelings and thoughts are almost imprinted on every sound and piece of music.
For Vien Chau, the overarching creative space is still the nature of the Southern rivers and waters. The depth of his work is also the emotional and psychological depth of the Southern people. When his works blend back with the nature of the Southern rivers and rivers, blending with the emotions and psychology of the Southern people, they naturally have their own soul and breath.
Vien Chau's lyrics are simple but rich in emotion, poetry and imagery, so they are easy to memorize and enter people's hearts. What remains in Vien Chau's compositions is the feelings for his homeland, people, country,... expressed in a simple and honest way. Based on his long history of writing and performing, Vien Chau can be considered one of the bright stars of the Southern theater sky in the second half of the 20th century. His contributions in the field of the country's arts are very significant. and has contributed significantly to promoting and preserving national cultural identity.