Musician Tran Tam, Head of the Music Committee, Dong Nai Literature and Arts Association: I love beautiful melodies about homeland and country

Deeply attached to the land and people of Dong Nai, particularly to the lives of rubber industry workers, musician Tran Tam has spent decades moving from community-based performing activities to professional music composition. His works portray the beauty of labor, the love for nature, the homeland, and the people of Dong Nai, as well as the changes along each stage of its development.

In a conversation with Dong Nai Weekend Newspaper, musician Tran Tam shared his passions, concerns, and the mindset of an artist who has devoted his entire life to popular art.

Growing mature with community-based arts

Musician Tran Tam (third from left) wins second prize at the 2nd Southeastern Songwriting Contest 2025 with his song Singing with Chinh' Cla. Photo: Provided by the musician

* Dear musician Tran Tam, what is special about your journey into music and songwriting?

- I started out in music as an "amateur" and rose from the community-based arts movement. Since 1985, I have been part of the band of Dong Nai Rubber Corporation. Our troupe performed for workers at 17 plantations. Through these performances and direct contact with rubber workers, laborers, and ethnic minority communities, I began to develop ideas about workers and rubber — the white latex that was very important to the economy at that time. The workers’ close connection with the rubber trees and the beautiful images of their labor inspired me to start composing songs about the rubber industry, which gradually came to life one after another.

Musician Tran Tam. Photo: Provided by the musician Musician Tran Tam has composed many songs about the love for his homeland and country. Notable examples include Xuân hoan ca (Spring song of joy), Đồng Nai – miền Đông vững bước đi lên (Dong Nai – The east steadily moving forward), Biên Hòa rực sáng tương lai (Bien Hoa shining with a bright future), Ánh sáng tương lai (Light of the future), Thương quá miền Trung (Beloved central region), and Áo trắng ngời sáng tình yêu (White Ao Dai radiant with love). Among them, the song Ánh sáng tương lai (Light of the future) presented in the Mobile Propaganda Contest commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Nam Ky Uprising won the silver medal by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. In both 2023 and 2025, he won second prize in the Southeastern Region Songwriting Contests.

* As a self-taught musician who moved from performing to songwriting, you must have had a passion for this field from an early age?

- Since childhood, I realized I had a talent and passion for musical instruments, but life was difficult back then, and I didn’t have the opportunity to receive formal, professional training at schools. I taught myself to play instruments and participated in local musical activities. Gradually, as I performed with music and dance troupes serving the public, I had more opportunities to meet musicians. The teachers recognized my passion and supported and encouraged me to compose music. Later, I sought out musicians to learn from and fill in the gaps in my musical knowledge, such as learning to play the guitar, flute, drums, and horn. Naturally, at first, I wasn’t very skilled, but with guidance over time, my passion was strengthened even more.

“The creative force in literature and arts, including music, in Dong Nai is growing stronger. Artists receive local support both for their works and through organizing programs and creative camps, which encourages everyone to participate, contribute, and win prestigious awards” - shared musician Tran Tam.

* Pursuing music composition in a professional way requires training and constant self-improvement, so, what was the turning point that marked a big change in your career?

- Coming from grassroots musical activities in the rubber industry, I was later assigned to work at the Provincial Cultural Center (now the Dong Nai Center for Culture and Cinema). During this period, I had the opportunity to pursue my dream by studying professionally at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Culture. I was honored to serve as the Captain of the Mobile Propaganda Team while also taking on the role of arranger and orchestrator for the center’s mobile art propaganda programs. This period can be considered a significant milestone recognizing my personal efforts.

The beauty of labor and love for homeland inspire creativity

* What is the main source of inspiration in your music compositions?

- I love the beauty of workers, starting with those in the rubber industry, because I have been closely connected to that environment from an early age. The image of rubber tappers, the flowing white latex, and the season of rubber changing their leaves—these are all very beautiful. The beauty found in labor and production deeply moves my soul, creating a very special emotion. Writing about nature, people, and the country's natural landscapes, specifically the land of Dong Nai, and about love for the homeland has always been my source of inspiration.

As a member of the Dong Nai Literature and Arts Association and having worked for many years at the Dong Nai Center for Culture and Cinema, I have had the opportunity to travel extensively and interact with various lands, people, and events across different localities. I write a lot about my homeland, especially the changes and development of Dong Nai province, closely following different periods to create my works. I also choose a diverse range of genres, including contemporary music and folk-inspired material...

* Is the love for beauty an innate gift of an artist?

- Artists in general, and musicians in particular, always have a special perspective. It may be a natural gift that gives them heightened sensitivity—they can see beauty and recognize the unique features of an event, phenomenon, or issue that many others might overlook. This ability gives them the mindset to seize the right moments for their career.

* In today’s era, what challenges are local community-based artists facing, sir?

- This has always been a concern. Working in community-based art and composing propaganda music often don’t allow the same creative freedom and spontaneity as market-driven or independent music. We also have the responsibility to perform in service of the political tasks of the locality and the country, so we must work even harder to fulfill our duties well.

In the past, when people’s lives were difficult and access to modern art forms and global trends was limited, community-based art played an important role and was warmly welcomed. However, as society develops, cultural and artistic tastes have changed significantly. We have to find ways to both fulfill our mission and create performances and compositions that resonate with the public, aligning with current tastes and social changes. Composing music that truly lives in the hearts of society is very challenging. This requires constant effort and learning to absorb beauty and excellence, to soften and bring vitality to our works—it’s very difficult.

* With the upcoming Vietnam Music Day (on September 3rd) coinciding with the vibrant celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day (September 2nd), what preparations has the Music Committee made for this occasion?

- We have discussed and selected 15 vocal and dance performances to present in the Vietnam Music program in Dong Nai. These chosen pieces are high-quality works that our artists are currently rehearsing to serve the event. Additionally, in recent times, serving major provincial and national events—especially the campaigns promoting the two-level local government—not only in music but across other art forms, our artists have always maintained the highest spirit to fulfill their duties.

Thank you, sir.

By: Vuong The

Translated by: Dang Huyen - Thu Ha