Tri Nguyen was born in Saigon and developed a passion for traditional music at a young age. He studied the “dan tranh” instrument at the Saigon Music and Drama School and later at the Paris Music Pedagogy School under renowned professors.
With his natural musical talent and love for the “dan tranh”, Tri Nguyen has mastered playing Vietnamese music on various Western instruments. His compositions on the “dan tranh” are inspired by his deep connection to his homeland.
 Tri Nguyen, a master of the “dan tranh”. Photo: Thong Hai  Tri Nguyen performing piano and “dan tranh” in Ho Chi Minh City, February 2017. Photo: Thong Hai  Tri Nguyen showcasing his dexterity on the piano. Photo: Thong Hai  Tri Nguyen captivating audiences with his instrument. Photo: Thong Hai  Tri Nguyen introducing the structure of the “dan tranh” to audiences. Photo: Thong Hai  Tri Nguyen at a talk entitled “A cultural journey” at Vietnam – US College, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Thong Hai  Tri Nguyen engaging in a dialogue with audiences in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Thong Hai  Tri Nguyen’s “dan tranh” accompanying a piano performance on the IDECAF stage in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Thong Hai |
Tri Nguyen aims to elevate the “dan tranh” to a prominent sound in Western orchestras, incorporating the unique sounds of Western instruments to enhance the distinctiveness of the “dan tranh”.
In his compositions, the “dan tranh” takes on various roles, sometimes leading a Western string orchestra, sometimes blending harmoniously, and sometimes engaging in a duet with a violin. Tri Nguyen fearlessly incorporates familiar Vietnamese lullabies into his works, transforming them with new techniques while preserving the essence of traditional Vietnamese music.
Since 2014, Tri Nguyen has consistently released albums featuring the “dan tranh”, including “Consonances” (2014), “A Journey Between Worlds” (2016), and his latest album “Beyond Borders”. His music has received warm reception from global audiences. His debut album “Consonances” received the Golden Award at the Global Music Award and the Akademia USA award for best concerto album.
“I take great pride in my music being appreciated by international audiences. These accolades acknowledge the fact that Vietnamese traditional music has transcended borders, meeting the musical demands of the world and gaining acceptance and recognition,” said Tri Nguyen.
 Album cover of Tri Nguyen’s “Consonances”. Photo: File Album cover of Tri Nguyen’s “A Journey Between Worlds”. Photo: File  Album cover of Tri Nguyen’s “Beyond Borders”. Photo: File  Composer Tri Nguyen skillfully combines traditional and Western music, writing pieces for the “dan tranh” in harmony with other musical instruments from around the world. Photo: Thong Hai |
Composer Pham Thuy Hoan praises Tri Nguyen for his dedication in bridging the “dan tranh”, a national instrument, with other instruments globally. She commends him for introducing unique aspects of Vietnamese traditional music, such as reformed drama and familiar lullabies, to foreign audiences, promoting an understanding of our national music.
Recently, Tri Nguyen has made an effort to introduce his works to domestic audiences during his visits to Vietnam. Each year, he holds at least one musical night to showcase his newly released albums or compositions. In February, Tri Nguyen performed music from his album “Beyond Borders” in Ho Chi Minh City. He plans to present his new works to local audiences in October 2017, as he considers them to be the most important group to serve.
