Paris by Night 77: 30 Nam Vien Xu
I have to give it to Thuy Nga for turning an emotional topic into their sex standards. The first thirty minutes of Paris by Night 77: 30 Nam Vien Xu is soul-stirring, heart-rending, and spirit-shattering. I was touched by the documentary clips on the boat-escaping adventure, and inspired by those who went out of their ways to help our people. Unfortunately those heartfelt moments quickly dissolved into the air as the video progresses into the sex zone.
It used to be that real singers draw the crowd with their real voices. Nowadays, fake singers get viewers attention with their fake boobs. Ngoc Lan didn’t have to bare her skin to bring her audiences “Tan Tac,” “Nguoi Tinh Tram Nam,” and many songs that were born in the States. She brought them with her heart and soul. Don’t give me wrong, I love hot bodies, but there is the place and time for everything. Thuy Nga invited special guests (mostly foreigners) to pay tribute for what they have done for us, yet our girls bare their skins to show that we have come a long way – from immigrants to sex barbies. Is it me or is Luu Bich turning from sexy into sleazy? For a few minutes, I thought Stifler’s mom is on Paris by Night doing her things with the young dancers. Her recovering of “Uoc Hen” and “Tan Tac” offer nothing new but the low skirt. She is not the only one. Ho Le Thu, Minh Tuyet, and even Thuy Tien are as guilty as charged.
On the bright side, older singers such as Khanh Ly, Le Thu, Hoang Oanh, and Khanh Ha are the appropriate representation of our Vietnamese women. Their singings leave deeper impact than those young faces. Even though male singers are subdued by females’ provocative appearances, they have contributed some memorable contents to the show. Duong Trieu Vu is convincing in “Vien Khuc Viet Nam” and The Son is compelling in “Bai Ca Hoc Tro.” The Son is at his best when he could feel the lyrics. On “Bai Ca Hoc Tro,” he has successfully transferred the writer’s words to the listeners. Here is my loose translation: “Dear professor, this is my essay / an essay is written about the US / I misspelled twice the word ‘America’ / I misspelled twice the word ‘Communist’ / I misspelled twice the word ‘Liberty’.”
If Thuy Nga toned down the tramp appeal and selected more suitable songs, Paris by Night 77 would have been an invaluable DVD. Even though the documentaries are educational, we can’t show our kids the entire presentation without skipping some of the performances.
“If Thuy Nga toned down the tramp appeal and selected more suitable songs,” I like that… :)
If TN doesn’t have the tramp appeal, how do you think they’ll sell their CDs/DVDs? Singers like Nhu Loan, Vuong Trieu Vu… etc.. whose performance depend more on skin/flash/presentation than substance will be out of business if they have nothing else to show for.
Some singers depend on their vocal ability to make money, some depend on their “tramp appeal.” Some ride on both. :)
It’s ironic that TN “celebrated” 30 nam vien xu rather than remembering or mourning the cause. I happen to watched between the DVD for couple songs perform by those sex barbies and a few tributes to those whose risked their lives to save many of us…
I was confused, feeling stupid and out of place. The whole event was out of context and meaningless. I wonder if that is the same feeling for those special guests.
… so irritating, I rewind to beginning where I can see my dad knocking on the door of the bus leaving in hurry. (Mom still remembered the shirt that he wore 30 years ago). Needless to say, this image is the last thing my dad want me to see and remember. Nothing to proud, nothing to celebrate… I just have to turn off the TV.
TTBlue, Duong Trieu Vu uses his appeal to wow audiances on stage? Are you kidding me? He is as soft as a grape. :)
Van, I also wondered how the guests felt. It was suppose to be a reflection of the tragic event. NNN points out a couple of time that what had been done is done. The video is only a memory, but I guess his words aren’t as powerful as the babes.
Donny… dude, some chicks dig those “soft as a grape” pretty boy looks. My house is dominated by estrogen force… and believe me, it’s sometime makes me wonder what we (boys) think appeal to women and what really appeal to women. When’s the last time you see a butt-ugly guy performs on TN or ASIA? They’re all pretty looking guys who’ll appeal to certain demographic women. If they put a guy like me on stage, people would just puke *GRIN*. Well, maybe not.. but you get my rift :).
…agreed to what had been done is done (up to individual) but NNN should be more sensitive about it in public, especially in these tragic events and he is representing a reputated company (TN). There are hundred thousands of lives were lost, millions of people were touch by this event. This is a sad and not a reason to celebrate. TN could have pick a different time frame to release this DVD. As far as NNN, he always has reasons to justified his action eventhough, he know he is up agaisnt the dead end. He has his right to his own opion but it is irresponsible for TN to let this goes on… Either TN production is so naive or just plain ignorant. Lesson never learn from volume “Me”…
For what it is worth: Just plain poor taste… Enough said, i just can’t wait to see TTBlue on stage and that something i can relate to :)
TN production is not naive nor plain ignorant, but it’s all about business. The even is nothing more than an oportunity to cash in a few mils. TN is not the only one. Asia has done the same thing.
TTBlue, I guess that’s the reason Nguyen Khang never appears on TN. He isn’t so attractive. I don’t think Duong Trieu Vu is up there to attract girls. He’s up there for the gay folks. TN is smart. They make sure they cover all types of Vietnamese.
Adam Ho: 8-16
Bao Han: 16-30
Nhu Quynh: 30-45
Luu Bich: lesbians
Duong Trieu Vu: gay dudes
The only missing demography is Drag Queen, until they include Tuan Anh. :)
Duong Trieu Vu is gay? Hmm, is this new news or old news that I’m just ignorant? Either case, this will be fun when I break the news to the ladies at my place. Speaking of being gay, it looks like all male singers at TN are one. The Son, Luong Tung Quang, Le Quang, Tran Thai Hoa… they’re all pretty much gay.
Thanks vAn for your support, if TN ever decides to put me on stage, I’ll be sure to send you VIP tickets.
Donny, You’ll never know … Tuan Anh might have choreograph some of those performance at TN :).
Don’t quote me on it man. I am not saying he’s gay, but his soft and fragile image might attract the gay community. That’s all I am saying.
Á Kim Dung like to wear mini jíp á. It’s sexy…hehehe, sometime KD walk around school campus, boyz look at KD’s mini jíp…the americans with white skin look at KD’s mini jíp very quickly, the americans with other skin colors look at KD’s mini jip for very long time!!!Why???, KD feel uncomfortable sometime… KD wish boyz look at KD’s face first, because…KD’s face look like sis Thuy Tien in paris by night 77 á! my auntie has told me that: KD, con watch out for those boyz who look at mini jip first, that’s no good! Because those boyz have something wrong in the eyes. Hehehe…
Á… Kim Dung love to see Anh TTBlue’s butt. And of course Kim Dung will look your face first KD promise…hehehe! Nice and tight butt is very sexy, KD like boyz’s firm butt in nice and neat pants, no underwear hanging out please! -GROSS- boyz do have curves too…show them if you could…but neat and tight please! Hehehe…
Dear vAn,
Kim Dung understand and know what vAn saying…It was a mixed feeling, so sad, so scared at first, and then so exciting with mini jip…KD wish paris by night 77 didn’t “celebrate” it and mix it with mini jip.
Na^`y ba.n tha^n o*i ha~y cu*’ ye^u ddo*`i
Du` ngu*o*`i kho^ng ye^u ta, ha~y cu*’ ye^u thu*o*ng ngu*o*`i… La la la….
My boots are walking on campus…
Keep waking…those boots…yeah….
Bu`m cha’c bu`m bu`m…
Bu`m cha’c bu`m bu`m…
Hehehe!
KD
well, well, Duong Trieu Vu is definitely not my type. Tran Thai Hoa is so much better. Babe-looks like Duong Trieu Vu are not always the favourite in gay community. We are gay, but we need some man man not boyish , twink like him.
Duong Trieu Vu is there more for all the teenage girls. He looks approachable and less intimidating .
Choosing a gay icon for Vn music, I think of someone dancing well like Nguyen Hung, straight acting like Tran Thai Hoa, buff like one of those dancers and he must must must be straight.
We love the untouchable!!!!
howdy. i stumbled across this blog while searching for the vietnamese anthem. very provocative and intriguing entries i must say. i will definitely be checking back often =D
That ‘s why I never buy any
video. I get my inspirations from songs recorded in Viet Nam.. I cann’t never make it the whole way through any song by Luu Bich, Ho Le Thu, Truc Lam, Truc Linh and especially Minh Tuyet .. Watching old videos of Ngoc Lan made me appreciate this lady more after she left this earth..
Kim Dung co pic nao khong? Toi rat muon thay mini jip cua KD. KD nho post pic cho nhung anh o day duoc coi nhe?
Thiet la` vo^ die^n wa’!
!!! Whoever wants to see Duong Trieu Vu & Dam Vinh Hung hu hi voi nhau vo trong web nay nhe.
Check out http://www.fantasybandorlando.com
Hey thanks for the link, I am enjoying the videos.
Good.. Duong Trieu Vu got into Thuy Nga .. He was singing locallyl.. thanks to
his brother Hoai Linh.. Hummm
I need a connection..
Hmmm, I didn’t know DTV is Hoai Linh’s brother. Now that you say that, they both quite skinny.
Have you send in your demo tapes? I think you should.
Actually it is not about talent anymore. If you want to get in show them some skins and you guarantee to be signed; however, you’re not like that.
Do you think I should? I heard Ngoc Ha also sang for a local band in San Jose prior to TN too. Ngoc Ha ‘s voice is really awesome although I am not into that genre of music.
long,
here’s a link to quoc ca vietnam. some footage from little saigon tv. http://www.lich-mc.com/audio/vietnam/hungca/ram/quoccaVNCH.ram
They should go back to its root, making an MTV video. That way, no one can complain it’s lip-sync or whatever, everyone knows what it is and appreciate for what it is. Plus, we don’t have to pay few hundred bucks to see a bunch of singers dance and whatnot and pretend to be “singing.” Man, I missed those days when ASIA put out those MTV tapes, just nothing but true good and honest entertainment. VanSon used to do that too with their video, now it’s all crappy live show that just really horrible *sigh*.
Thuy Nga’s been doing the same thing over and over and over…it’s already gotten very dull. I don’t know why people are still watching Thuy Nga’s craps. there’s nothing spectacular about it, just lots of dancing around in stupid costumes and fake singing. If I really want to see an aesthetic performing show I’d go out and rent a circus du dolei dvd or something like that and watch. ASIA, Van Son and all the rest are even worse. Abroad VNese entertainment as a whole is very crappy and I don’t see when it’ll get better. How sad?
r u an idiot? omg most of thuy tien’s outfit was skin colored material that made it look like its bare. and come on people its a new century and generation not everyone goes around wearing ao dais, theres new fashion out their and even though most of the songs didnt go along wit the theme they way they executed when they were performed was an awesome idea. starting with the older generation and then ending wit the newer. and besides they had to even out the types of performances so the kids can enjoy more fun performances since im pretty sure most or some kids would rather see bao han and nhu loan then khanh ly sing no offense to her. and with the whol ngoc lan thing she wore wat was in then this is NOW
heheh heylos…
lmaO.. im reading all these blogs n im literally ROFL … heheheheh… lOls, is duong trieu vu gay? lol dats something new, cos ive onli ever thought of Luu Bich as a lesbian [no offence]… if u guys look at this, i found it disturbing…
umm if u guys have d Paris By Night 74 i think? Hoa Buom Ngay Xua? well Luu Bich is d one hu sings last, am i correct? well at the closing of the song, when she is standing in front of that male dancer… WHAT THE HELL IS SHE DOING? IT LOOKS SOOOO DIRTY!!! ok, well ill just say, from my point of view, she looked as if she was rubbing her behind on that guys “thing”??? WELL NOW U GUYS PROBLI THINK IM DIRTY BUT SERZLI, I WAS LIKE >>WTF
Sorry, Tran Thai Hoa is better than Duong Trieu Vu in the attraction stakes? Tran Thai Hoa looks a bit like a warped version of The Son and Lam Nhat Tien, lmaoz. I do agree that Duong Trieu Vu is a softied, sersli, he’s young, why on earth is singing songs that are waaay too mature for him? Oh and I’m all for Luong Tung Quang but I think the girls have the right to be a bit, well, trampy? but Luong Tung Quang, well he looks a bit sweet, don’t go with the sex appeal.
And if u guys dun lyk the ‘tramp appeal’, watch ‘Asia’, man. All cutsey girls lyk Trish hu never show anything? Cmon, sersli, wot do u prefer? Thuy Nga has hot performers, male and female.
toi ko gioi tieng anh lam ,nen toi phai noi tieng viet ,TN la mot chuong trinh hay va dac sac , ko co gi phai dang ban ,con ve gioi tinh cua cac ca sy thi minh nghi khong nen ban ve no , mien sao ho hat hay phuc vu tot cho khan gia la duoc.Rieng anh TRAN THAI HOA ,minh thich giong hat cua anh ,hy vong anh se nhanh hoi am cho khan gia hon( trong do co minh ) giao luu voi khan gia la mot dieu het suc can thiet cho cac ca sy
I agree with MeoCaroline, thuy nga has hot performers, specially Duong Trieu Vu :)
great comments you guys. I’ll be back and be an audience. Thank you for the “heart and soul” speaking
I thought that video was extremely boring. Yawns. It didn’t touch me at all. I already heard all those songs a long time ago and learned to sing it when I was 9. They need to bring something new, maybe write a few new songs using the same oldie style. Snooze!
I think Adam Ho is not hot or cute. He looks like a skinny wannabe. He sucks period.
The Son is so ugly! He has to go through tons of plastic surgery to look how he does today. Heck, a new nose, eye surgery and you’ll look like The Son ta-dah! Listening to him makes me sick. He has no talent in singing at all. His voice is nothign special. He can’t dance. He can’t do jack! The only people who thinks he’s attractive are OLD WOMEN, like your mom.
Paris By Night is a great program where we Vietnamese can relate to our Que Huong. Don’t you think? Listening to good old Vietnamese Songs and narration by Nguyen Ngoc Ngan. Can you forget Que Huong? Good work, Thuy Nga.
Vinh
Yes, indeed. Paris By Night is one of a few good programs that I have seen. It is well prepared and performed. Please make constructive criticism. Don’t be too hard on the singers on their look or voice. They work hard to provide good Vietnamese music to listen.
Here I would like to say ‘Cam On’ to Nguyen Ngoc Ngan for his knowledge on Vietnamese history and his wit.
Vinh Ly-SF Bay Area-SamTrans
I agree with Vinh Ly- the singers did just fine! Overall I thought this Paris by Night was pretty good. I liked the old songs and the stories Nguyen Ngoc Ngan told. I LOVE Tran Thai Hoa’s voice! He’s got the most mesmerizing voice yet. He’s not super hot but who cares? He could totally sing
hey i just wanted to say that why can’t the songs to the thuy nga video have a website where we can find the lyrics to the songs on the video or dvd cause it is so much of a hassle to go and look for the lyrcis else where and sometimes not even find it
hi everyone, hi TN, i write here just want to say I love Tran Thai Hoa’s voice .He is the best singer i have ever known. So please don’t discuss about his sex when u don’t know well , ok . Thanks !! I Love U , TTH …
lol, I agree with you too, Vinh Ly, very much so!
Great performances out of this one. A few pleasantly teenyboppish ones like ‘Mai Con Yeu’ and stellar ones from Thu Phuong and Khanh Ha. I like the last song and Thu Phuong’s the best. Thank goodness there weren’t any overly cheesy or slutty performances.
Great blog, my fellow mi’t!
Regarding TN and Asia:
_We can’t fault anyone for trying to make more dough, but they’re just milking it to the point that the content of their shows becomes more and more diluted.
-It is pointless to talk about their political stance (‘cos they’re just merchants.)
-Talking about content, I’m not sure they could do better. I haven’t heard a good new song for a long long time. Face it people, the eras of Pham Duy, Doan chuan, Trinh Cong Son, Tu Cong Phung…etc..are over. What we have nowadays are gibberish lyrics with melodies plagerized from foreign music (the kind that is usually listened to by the tasteless). We dont anymore have voices that could define a generation, voices that could be easily regconized without being introduced. The likes of Khanh Ly, Si phu, Tuan Ngoc, elvis Phuong, Khanh Ha, Ngoc Lan…are either gone or fading. What are we left with? The Son: A pathetic immitation of Elvis Phuong. Tran Thai Hoa: annoyingly altered his voice for the “warmth” effect. Nguyen Khang, Quang Dung: 2 words, Tuan Ngoc…Hello???!!! Duong Trieu Vu, Luong Tung Quang, those viet boy bands…: Baboons who think they can actually sing (I personally hold those who listen to their craps responsible for us having to repeatedly watch their circus acts on every new show) The combination of subpar music and hapless performers result in the farce’s that we have to suffer through nowadays. Isn’t it sad that the true stars of Paris by Night are MC’s Ngan and Ky duyen, both of whom have lost their charms and worn out their welcome eons ago.
However, to put things in perspective, these are just variety shows we’re talking about. Are we putting too much stocks into this? Think of it this way: While a rip-off at 25 bucks, those 3+ hours of sudden peace and quiet in the house are simply priceless.
I totally agree with Skye. I suggest Thuy Nga put the lyrics on the screen when the singers perform, if it is not too much work for Thuy Nga or if it is not violating copyright. This would be nice! Or even better if they can give us an option to turn the lyrics on or off.
did you have a lyrics mate
Hi all. I accidentally stumbled across this site. I am Vietnamese born, Australian raised and don’t have much to do with Vietnamese/California culture. I found it very interesting that you guys are so passionate about TN, its shows and singers. Will check back soon. Cheers
I reckon Adam Ho is so cute and that his a kool guitar playe, his had so many cool experiences in the past and that really rockin cool. I do agree that Paris By Night is kind of slacking off the charts and that other entertainment shows are getting to the top, maybe they have more new songs and better new singers, like maybe people from Australia how cool would that be. That would be a dream come truw for som many people.I am a Vietnamese person raised up in Australia and I think where all the stars are discovered are just so cool but itll be even better if we have Australian/Viet singers. That would be much much better
than just all the Americans/Viet.
what happens to Hoa Mi? I have not heard from her for a long time? She seems to disappear
i think dtv looks like a baby. oters in tn are hot like luong tung quang
adam ho is soooooooo fucking cuteeeeeeee
hehehe
Congratulations on a great web site. I am a new computer user and finding you was like coming home. Continued success.
C’est trouis bien. Nice, i mean. Thanks!
Thuy Nga is like whatevers lol..sometimes good and sometimes bad…it really depends on who sings it…the only “bad” part to me is when the songs contain english,which kills it most of the time in their dvds. Esp. when english and viet is mixed in a song! I wouldn’t say ALL the english and english w/viet songs r bad..just some cuz they DO overdo it a lot..even the dancing is kinda funny and weird..but yea like i said, sometimes it just depends who sings it..in my opinion, Quang Le is the best.Gay or not..who gives a damn tehe…
wow. this is cool.