What started as a casual recording session for fun has officially blossomed into “Em và Tôi” (You and I), an album featuring timeless 80s and 90s hits by Vũ Quang Vinh and Diễm Liên.
A reunion that seemed surprising yet blended seamlessly and profoundly—that’s how singer Vũ Quang Vinh described his initial collaboration with the powerful vocalist Diễm Liên for their duet album “Em và Tôi,” set to officially debut this Labor Day at the Golden Sea Restaurant in Anaheim, California.
Diễm Liên’s strong, resonant, and technically skilled voice has long captivated audiences through her harmonious duets with Nguyên Khang. Therefore, when Diễm Liên proactively invited Vũ Quang Vinh to record together, the male singer was genuinely surprised and touched. With that trust, the two artists meticulously crafted a serious, polished, and complete musical product.
The idea sparked from a relaxed trial recording, but after just one song, both realized their voices blended together in a surprisingly harmonious way. This urged them to go further and produce an entire duet album, encouraged by close friends in the industry like musician Huỳnh Nhật Tân, singer Ngọc Thúy, and many others.
The album “Em và Tôi” compiles immortal songs that have resonated with audiences from the 80s to the 90s. These are tunes deeply embedded in the memories of many generations, such as “Em và Tôi,” “Lối Cũ Ta Về” (The Old Path We Return To), “Phố Xa” (Distant Street), “Thần Thoại” (Myth), “Cơn Mưa Tình Yêu” (Love Rain), “Em Về Tinh Khôi” (You Return Untouched), and more. This careful selection stems from a desire not only to recreate the nostalgic musical atmosphere but also to tell a continuous emotional story from start to finish of the album.
Diễm Liên typically recorded her parts first, and Vũ Quang Vinh would sing in response to her emotion. During the recording process, they constantly exchanged ideas, made adjustments, and even changed arrangements when new ideas arose. This dynamic made each song vibrant, profound, and imbued with both their unique artistic personalities.
Beyond traditional CD format, the album will also be released on USB and, notably, on vinyl. Vũ Quang Vinh shared that while vinyl records appeal to a niche audience, this format offers the most complete and authentic sound experience. Music lovers will be able to feel every breath and every vibration in their voices.
The “Em và Tôi” album launch event is scheduled for September 1st, Labor Day. Even though it falls on a Monday, Vũ Quang Vinh believes that fans who love him and Diễm Liên will not hesitate to dedicate an evening to enjoying the music. That’s also why the event will start earlier than usual, with a guest reception from 5 PM, dinner at 6:30 PM, and the show beginning at 7:30 PM.
The event will feature many artists who are close friends with Vũ Quang Vinh and Diễm Liên in real life, including Ngọc Thúy, Khánh Trân, Ngọc Ánh Kim, Kiều Mai Anh, Leon Vũ, Huỳnh Gia Tuấn, Lê Quốc Tuấn, Ngô Khải Anh, Thiện Ngô, and Hoàng Tuấn. Additionally, the presence of comedian Thúy Nga as the MC promises to bring a warm, charming, and laughter-filled atmosphere to the event. The OG band, featuring familiar faces, will accompany the artists during the performance, along with sound and lighting systems provided by QP Muzik. Notably, Lavyon will be partnering as the media sponsor.
Although organizing the show presented many pressures and challenges, the support from friends, colleagues, and the audience has been a great motivation for Vũ Quang Vinh and Diễm Liên to pour their hearts into this project. The male singer revealed that if the album receives public acclaim, he and Diễm Liên will continue with Volume 2, maintaining the nostalgic spirit but potentially incorporating some new compositions that align with modern music trends.