It is with infinite sadness that the worlds of Vietnamese and international music announce the passing of artist Pham Duc Thanh. The unparalleled master of the Đàn Bầu took his last breath in the early morning of August 22, 2025, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. He was 69 years old. After many years of dedicating his life to spreading his nation's music abroad, the sound of his strings has come home to rest in his motherland.
Born in 1956 in Ninh Binh, Pham Duc Thanh was a musical prodigy. From the age of five, he became acquainted with the Đàn Bầu, the instrument that would define his destiny and solidify his legendary status. After years of artistic activity and dedication in his home country, he settled in Canada and became a cultural ambassador, making the sound of Vietnam's monochord renowned across the five continents. He was honored by Canada's ART television network as an artist who made significant contributions to the preservation and development of traditional Vietnamese music.
Though he lived far from his homeland, his soul was always turned towards his roots. In recent years, he frequently returned to Vietnam to perform and engage in artistic activities. His passing in Vietnam is an immense loss, leaving boundless sorrow for his family, friends, colleagues, and the millions of admirers who loved the sound of his instrument.
The string is now silent, but the legacy left by artist Pham Duc Thanh will resonate forever. The sound of his Đàn Bầu, which carried the very soul of his nation, will always remain a precious part of Vietnam's cultural treasury.
Rest in peace.