This week on KDUP’s Diversity and Culture Hour, the University of Portland’s Vietnamese Student Association came on air to promote their first annual culture show, Hello Vietnam: A Walk Through Time, taking place on April 1st in the Mehling Ballroom. Playing music called “nhạc trẻ” and talking about their club and the shift Vietnamese music has experienced in the past decade, VSA put on a show with quality music and conversation. Continue below to find out about the music they played, VSA’s full playlist, and about their Hello Vietnam event happening this Saturday.
Through this diversity culture hour on KDUP, we hoped to introduce current popular Vietnamese music to UP students. The genre of Vietnamese music that we are introducing is called “nhạc trẻ” which literally translates to young music. It is the music that is popular with the youth in Vietnam. Our playlist has a mix of upbeat and mid-tempo pop songs, as well as ballads. The upbeat pieces reflect trends from KPOP and electronica that are popular with the Vietnamese youth, but still retain a unique Vietnamese flavor. In contrast, the lyrical ballad songs feature themes of heartbreak with emotion evoking melodies. We think that Vietnamese music has universal appeal despite language barriers. Give nhạc trẻ a chance and you may find that you like it!
Side notes: Mitchell’s favorite song in this playlist is Lalala (#4 on this list) and Michelle’s favorites are Câu Chuyện Làm Quen (#3) and Lắng Nghe Con Tim (#4).
VSA’s Playlist from the show:
1. Cause I Love You – Noo Phước Thịnh
2. Anh Đã Quen Với Cô Đơn – Soobin Hoàng Sơn ((mid-tempo))
3. Câu Chuyện Làm Quen – Quốc Thiên ((mid-tempo // acoustic))
4. Lalala – Soobin Hoàng Sơn ((mid-tempo))
5. Gửi Anh Xa Nhớ – Bích Phương ((ballad))
6. Lạc Nhau Có Phải Muôn Đời – ERIK st. 319 ((ballad))
7. Phía Sau Một Cô Gái– Soobin Hoàng Sơn ((ballad))
8. Chúng Ta Không Thuộc Về Nhau – Sơn Tùng M-TP ((upbeat, trendy pop))
9. Lắng Nghe Con Tim – Nguyễn Ngọc Anh ((upbeat, trendy pop))
10. Ði Về Ðâu – Tiên Tiên ((upbeat, trendy pop))
11. Lẻ Loi – Châu Đăng Khoa ((upbeat, trendy pop))
12. Shine your light – MIN ((upbeat, trendy pop))
And if you enjoy the music you find on this playlist, or just want to learn more about the Vietnamese culture, look into attending the Hello Vietnam: A Walk Through Time this Saturday at 6 PM in the Mehling Ballroom.
Here are the details for the event:
**FREE ADMISSION**
Dress Code: Semi-formal
Mehling Ballroom
5000 N Willamette Blvd.
Portland, OR 97203
UP VSA is hosting our very first culture show and YOU are invited! Join us in the narration of the Vietnamese origin story through the eyes of a modern day Vietnamese-American who is just beginning to discover her cultural roots. Hannah Tran is unsure of her identity as a Vietnamese-American, and travels to Hanoi in hopes of finding answers. There, she uncovers the past of Lac Long Quan and Au Co, the ancestors of the country. As the past is bridged with the present, UP VSA’s culture show will surely be a walk through time.
For questions and ADA accommodations, please contact Mai Jones at jonesmai18@up.edu