Acoustically yours : Vietnam idol finalist Ngoc Anh

Acoustically yours : Vietnam idol finalist Ngoc Anh
By Aly Abaquin

You might be wondering why I’m writing music now instead of food blogs but there is a connection to this story line. As Acoustic Music and smoothy mix together perfectly combining when you talk to the owner of NHEN a new cafe for the arts that allures every one to relax and listen to pure acoustic sound by this Vietnamese idol.

I chance upon meeting Vietnam’s First runner-up on season 1 of VIETNAM IDOL. Yes, Virginia in Vietnam they also have the Vietnam idol reality show in-fact this franchise of the  American idol  is doing so well that it is on season 3 and is discovering raw talented singing personas.

Vietnam can sing too. Meet Mr. Ngoc Anh. Acoustically yours.

Ngoc Anh lights up when he speaks of his craft singing and when he foretold his journey over dinner with me and his companion.

Although he finished only as a runner up as Phuoung Vy won the title for Vietnam idol Season 1.

His journey begins as this bright eyed and diminutive inspiring barrio lad auditioned in Hanoi with just plain T-shirt and jeans and WOWWED the audience of his soulful voice that merits the judges approval.

He is an Engineer by profession and a Son of a hard working farmer from the northern part of Hanoi. Can you imagine the journey he took and the courage to follow his bliss.

The passion for singing was honed during when he and his siblings would sing while doing chores in the farm tending irrigation or simply helping out his father in their daily chores in the rice fields. Even his brother was chosen to the top 30 of Vietnam idol.

So there singing is in their genes and from a humble beginning of a farmer boy now a singing sensation in Vietnam Idol. His ballad in the first recording after Vietnam idol and the “Ngay Hom Qua La The”, Ngoc An idol CD are love songs accompanied by violin and an orchestra.  Are must have in this season of giving.

I’ve listen to them and even if it is in Vietnamese I could feel the heart and soul of the singer.  Music is indeed a universal language. You are moved to his vocal prowess and his heart is represented in every song. While the second album entitled “GIAT MINH” is a rock glam musical assortment of things. His versatility is shown as he can do ballads and rock. Well looks like the adam lambert of Vietnam kindda.

Now presently he just opened a Coffee shop called NHEN translated it is literally spider.

Its ambience is a little bit gothic, hallooweeny with spiders web and mask all over. The younger set love the floor mats sitting on the second floor as they sing out their songs and sip their smoothies.

The smooties are very good this part of town. Located in the vibrant Phu Nhuan District between the centre Dist 1 and Tan Son Nhat International airport, along the the hipsterazzi Street and hidden in the short alley of 288/5 Huynh van banh. P.11 Phu nhuan-TP.HCM.

Every Friday is acoustic nights as alum from Vietnam idol sing their signatures and I was awed on the culture artsy folksy night of sounds. It thrives to break the mold of the music scene in HCMC as this is more local. The dark enclaves interspersed with passionate people adds whiff , calm and adds color to this pulsating urban atmosphere of Vietnams music scene. Not underground but pure acoustic nights and love for the performing arts.
Saturday’s is a bit different and it offers a light drama/ comedy ensemble as you sip your smoothy with laughter and colorful people strut their dramatics.

So let Nhen spin a web across you as you will experience good music and let the vietman idols allure you to their craft as I did and can’t help it either that I bought their cds and let them sign it as a remembrance.


Nhen Coffee & Tea
288/5 Huynh Van banh
P.11 Phu Nhuan- TP HCM
Tel no. 08 221 06115
Cell : 0906 68 68 56
nhencoffee@gmail.com