Journalist and author Mai Van Lang heads the folk music section of VOV’s Music, Information and Entertainment Channel (VOV3).

Journalist and author Mai Van Lang heads the folk music section of VOV’s Music, Information and Entertainment Channel VOV3. 43-year-old  Lang was inspired by his mother’s lullabies and folk songs he heard on the radio when he was young and soon developed a great passion for music. After graduating high school, Lang wanted to become a playwright and passed the entrance exam for Hanoi’s Movie and Stage University. At the age of 19, he wrote lyrics for his first Cheo work, called “Going into the maize field”, which was broadcast on Radio the Voice of Vietnam, Vietnam Television, and a number of local television stations. Lang told us: “The lyrics of folk songs are valuable but limited. In order to promote and preserve folk songs, it is necessary to make up new lyrics and popularize them, so that many people will sing them. The most difficult thing is writing lyrics that are easy to remember and touch people’s hearts. I have done research to make my lyrics reflect real life while retaining traditional values”.

Working for VOV, Lang has travelled around Vietnam to learn about the music and musical instruments of different areas. He has learned by heart hundreds of Cheo songs, dozens of Quan ho folk songs, and many other Ca Tru songs, Reformed Theater songs, and the folk songs of Nghe Tinh, Hue, and southern Vietnam. Lang said: “Vietnam’s folk music varies by geographical location. While working at VOV for 22 years, I have had chances to travel to different areas to enrich my knowledge. I write new lyrics for folk songs inspired by this rich experience”.

Mai Van Lang is very active in social activities. He started a blog at maivanlang.com and has uploaded thousands of folk songs and music to popularize them. His posts on Facebook are followed by thousands of people and receive many comments: “I hope to bring folk songs and folk music to young and old. I try to promote folk music by any means: radio, television, newspapers, internet..”.

Radio the Voice of Vietnam broadcasts 300 folk music programs each month. Folk and Cheo songs with new lyrics written by Lang have won the hearts of many listeners. His songs are sung by artists at music clubs and on recordings. Artist Huong Que performs with the Vietnam Traditional Opera Theater: “Mai Van Lang’s lyrics express a great love for the homeland and the Vietnamese people. I greatly appreciate Lang’s effort to preserve and promote traditional values”.

Lang says he’s happy to see that folk music is recently gaining popularity. He receives lots of letters and comments from listeners. Nguyen Khanh Chi works for VOV3’s folk music section: “Many listeners called in and ask for songs written by Mai Van Lang. And they want to know more about the author of the songs”.