Introduction
Phan Manh Quynh (born 1990) is a Vietnamese singer and songwriter known for his songs about everyday life and rural imagery. He gained widespread recognition with the hit "Vo nguoi ta" (Someone Else's Wife) and has written numerous songs for other artists.
Career
Born in Dien Chau, Nghe An, in a family of five children, Phan Manh Quynh showed musical talent early. As a child, he studied music theory at a local church and began composing in ninth grade. His first song, "Noi ay con tim ve," was written at age 18. After high school, he enrolled at the Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City but left to pursue music, teaching himself recording and posting songs online.
From 2009 to 2014, he wrote hits such as "Nguoi yeu cu" (performed by Khoi My), "Minh tung yeu nhau" (Miu Le), and "Anh the gioi va em" (Huong Tram). Despite this, his name was not yet widely recognized. In 2014, he considered quitting music and returning to his hometown. During that time, attending many weddings inspired "Vo nguoi ta." In 2015, the song went viral, surpassing 100 million views on YouTube and being referenced in the 2016 program Tao Quan.
The song's success also brought pressure, as he felt typecast. He joined the TV show Sing My Song 2017 to prove his songwriting ability, performing "Con tim tan vo," "Hoi uc," and "Co chang trai viet len cay," earning praise from judges.
After the show, he released "Nuoc ngoai," about overseas workers, inspired by people from his village. He also contributed "Chuyen buon" and "Anh chua tung biet" to My Tam's album Tam 9, and wrote music for the films "Chi tro ly cua anh" and "Nguoi bat tu."
Songwriting style
Phan Manh Quynh often writes about community and rural life. He calls himself a "country boy" and credits his upbringing for giving him authentic experiences. He admires songwriters like Trinh Cong Son, Tran Tien, and Duong Thu, learning from their cinematic, image-rich writing. He has said, "I live slowly, do everything gradually, without rushing."