US Singer Raises COVID-19 Awareness By Singing To The Melody Of A Vietnamese Folk Song

Vietnam-based US singer sings to “Trống Cơm” melody

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So far, Vietnam has been one of the few countries in the world which has not reported any COVID-19 fatalities and is considered very successful with its measures to contain the outbreak.

To honor the country’s healthcare progress and raise public awareness about coronavirus, Kyo York, a Vietnam-based US singer composed a Vietnamese song to the melody of Trống Cơm, one of Vietnam’s most iconic traditional songs.

On 3rd April, Kyo York released the song called TRỐNG CƠM – CHỐNG COVID19 (Rice Drum – Fight COVID-19), gaining rave reviews on Youtube and social media.

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Video content and bilingual lyrics about COVID-19

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The video features Kyo York clad in an áo dài, singing the familiar and upbeat melody of Trống Cơm.

Image adapted from: TRỐNG CƠM – CHỐNG COVID19 | Vietnamese/English version by KYO YORK

Trống Cơm, or Rice Drum, is a famous Vietnamese folk song often sung by children. Its name is taken from a Vietnamese traditional drum that is tuned with a little bit of hot steamed rice on the drum skin.

In Kyo York’s song tribute, the lyrics talk about the nature of the coronavirus, its disease symptoms, and what everyone can do to avoid its spread. He also sings the song in both Vietnamese and English, with subtitles in the background.

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Netizens are surprised by the music video

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Kyo York is not the first singer to release a song to raise coronavirus awareness, but he’s the first one to do so with the melody of a Vietnamese folk song and singing in both English and Vietnamese. Not only can the international audience understand the lyrics, but the Vietnamese audience can also sing along.

Plus, the fact that the singer is from the US, doesn’t speak Vietnamese as a first language, but is able to sing in Vietnamese with a nearly perfect accent is admirable.

The video has racked up over 500,000 views with thousands of comments. Many netizens are impressed, as could be seen in the comment section.

Image adapted from: TRỐNG CƠM – CHỐNG COVID19 | Vietnamese/English version by KYO YORK

Quynh Do, a commenter from California, praised him for his looks and voice. She also thanked him for learning and singing in Vietnamese.

Image adapted from: TRỐNG CƠM – CHỐNG COVID19 | Vietnamese/English version by KYO YORK

Saigon Vietnam commented on the video, “This is awesome! Thank you Kyo. Nice choice of song. The tune is catchy and easy to sing along to.”

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Vietnam is really doing a great job with containing coronavirus outbreak

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With the good results Vietnam has achieved so far, it has shown the world how powerful unity from residents and dedication from the medical frontliners can be.

Let’s keep up the good fight by staying home to curb coronavirus transmission, listening to this song with all its hygiene tips, and sharing it with our loved ones.

Also check out:

• 20 Vietnamese singers you should know
• Vietnamese help one another with free food amid COVID-19
• Vietnamese service workers geared up for extra protection
• How COVID-17 is affecting Vietnamese from all walks of life

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Cover image adapted from: TRỐNG CƠM – CHỐNG COVID19 | Vietnamese/English version by KYO YORK

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