Lê Lâm Quỳnh Như (Vietnamese: [lē lə̄m kʷìŋ̟ ɲɨ̄] or [lē lə̄m wɨ̀n ɲɨ̄]; born 9 September 1970), known professionally as Như Quỳnh (Vietnamese: [ɲɨ̄ kʷìɲ] or [ɲɨ̄ wɨ̀n]), is a Vietnamese-American singer. Performing Vietnamese popular music in the diaspora, she is internationally known for her vocal style, as well as duets with musicians like Thế Sơn and Trường Vũ, with whom they have been noted to "link international Vietnamese music to Vietnam itself".
Như Quỳnh | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Lê Lâm Quỳnh Như |
| Born | 9 September 1970 Đông Hà, Quảng Trị Province, South Vietnam |
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| Instrument |
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| Years active | 1994–present |
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Biography and career
edit1970–1994: Early life
editLê Lâm Quỳnh Như was born in Đông Hà, Quảng Trị Province, South Vietnam, on 9 September 1970,[1][2] to father Lê Văn Chánh, as the oldest child with two younger brothers, one named Tường Khuê.[3] Her mother, an employee of the Bank of Commerce before the Fall of Saigon,[4] was going to name her Đông Hà, after her birthplace but decided to name her Lâm Quỳnh Như instead. She was born sickly, and nearly died. For most of her childhood, her family lived through economic troubles after the Fall of Saigon.[5] At a very young age, she performed in Ho Chi Minh City,[6] first regularly on the stage of her old elementary school, and later in local children's television programs. Như Quỳnh studied music under professor Ba Thai of the Vietnamese National Music Institute and for a time, she taught music to young children in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.[2] In 2018, she stated that her mother was also interested in music, but her grandparents forbid her from attending art school, as they wanted children to focus on general education.[7] During this time, she would occasionally watch American music videos and learn of American culture, which was a rare opportunity at the time.[4]
Như Quỳnh's singing career formally began in 1991, where she performed in the Television Singing Contest in Ho Chi Minh City and won the special prize for her performance of "Mùa xuân trên thành phố Hồ Chí Minh".[5] In April 1993, Như Quỳnh's family immigrated to the United States and settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[6] Như Quỳnh received welfare and went to school, later starting work to support the family.[4] In 1994, her parents met a fellow countryman with connections to Asia Entertainment, Inc.[2]
1994–1996: Chuyện hoa sim and Asia Entertainment
editHer first musical performances were appearances in the Asia Entertainment variety shows Asia 6 and Asia 7, where she performed "Ngừơi tình mùa đông" and "Chuyện hoa sim", respectively.[5] The former created an image of a singer with a sweet, clear and blissful voice and attracted listeners internationally,[6] while the latter showed her capability of singing many genres and styles of music.
Under Asia Entertainment, she released three solo studio albums. Her first album, Chuyện hoa sim, was released on May 1, 1995, and was considered a best seller in the Vietnamese music industry (released outside of Vietnam).[4] Her second album, Rừng lá thay chưa was released on August 5, 1995, including the songs "Rừng lá thay chưa" and "Như vạt nắng" performed at Asia. Her third studio album Chuyện tình hoa trắng, released on January 1, 1996, also fared well, containing the song of the same name. Như Quỳnh has also made guest appearances in other albums released under the label.[5]
1996–2007: Lawsuit and transfer to Thúy Nga
editOn June 30, 1996, Như Quỳnh's contract with Asia Entertainment reached a deadline, and a letter was sent the following month expressing her desire not to renew the contract, stating that she had performed and contributed to the required shows and albums. However, the company prevented her from performing outside of the contract through October 1996. Như Quỳnh sued the company for unpaid royalties and mental damage, claiming that two different contracts were signed. Asia also filed a lawsuit against Như Quỳnh, with the argument that she did not record the satisfactory number of records, and performed at shows outside of the contract. Asia Entertainment Inc. v. Quynh Nhu Le was later dismissed, with the explanation that Asia Entertainment did not meet the criteria to accuse the singer.[8]
Như Quỳnh signed a contract with music label, Thúy Nga,[9] where she debuted in the 38th event of the show Paris by Night with "Hoa tím ngày xưa". She continued to perform on the show as a mainstay for many years,[6] with songs like "Vào hạ", "Nỗi buồn Châu Pha", "Đêm chôn dầu vượt biển", "Chuyện tình buồn", "Nửa vầng trăng", "Chung mộng", and "Em đi xem hội trăng rằm", establishing her icon for Vietnamese women as well as earning the title of the "Queen of Folk".[6]
In 1996, Như Quỳnh formed her own record label, N-Q Records, to allow her to release records in various genres and styles, in contrast to albums released under the main Thúy Nga label aimed to suit a broader audience.[4] By 1999, she had merged the label with a newer record label, Như Quỳnh Entertainment.[10]
2007–present: Temporary move to Asia and return
editIn 2007, Như Quỳnh made her farewell appearance with Thúy Nga with "Mưa trên quê hương" in Paris by Night 89. In August, Như Quỳnh returned to Asia Entertainment, making appearances in the shows Asia 56 and Asia 57. Later in 2008, she released the album Về lại đồi sim with her younger brother Tường Khuê (who had previously appeared in Hẹn một mùa xuân) and her adoptive brother Tường Nguyên,[11] with whom she has made several collaborative albums on her own record labels. Her final performance with the label was in Asia 63, as well as an album release in 2009 titled Mưa buồn.[5]
After two years with Asia, Như Quỳnh left and rejoined Thúy Nga, performing in Paris by Night 98 in Las Vegas. On September 1, 2010, Như Quỳnh released her tenth album under Thúy Nga titled Duyên phận. Như Quỳnh then released the album Lạ giường in spring 2011 in a joint collaboration with Thúy Nga and Như Quỳnh Entertainment.[2]
Musical style
editNhư Quỳnh has been described as a "traditional female vocalist". Along with her vocal performances when performing live, she also wears the traditional áo dài, which accentuates her image of a Vietnamese woman's "virginal innocence" in conjunction with her natural charm.[9] Her performances have been described as having a sweet voice, with lyrics revolving around the homeland of Vietnam and impressive singing and dancing skills.[1] Her vocal range at her debut was soprano; it has since deepened to mezzo-soprano by the release of the song "Duyên phận".[12]
Như Quỳnh has stated that her voice fits well with the genres of rhumba, as well as music about the homeland and mothers. She is fond of the voices of singers Hương Lan, Khánh Hà, Ý Lan, Khánh Ly, Hoàng Oanh, Vũ Khanh, Duy Quang, Elvis Phương, and Thái Châu.[4]
Personal life
editShortly after her departure from Thúy Nga in mid-2006, Như Quỳnh gave birth to a baby girl in 2007 named Melody Đông Nghi; prior to the news, she had not disclosed any personal information. After some pictures of her husband and daughter were released, she informed the public about her marital status and that her husband, Nguyễn Thắng, was an aviation engineer working for the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.
Around the time of her pregnancy, Như Quỳnh also faced many negative rumors about her, such as the possibility of an illegitimate child.[1] Later in her career, she was featured in Vietnamese news, with much focus given to her appearance showing signs of aging. She is currently living in the United States with her family.[6]
Discography
edit| • | Indicates a cover of a foreign-language song |
| ‡ | Indicates a composition with existing copyright status |
Studio albums
edit| Title | Album details | Asia / Paris by Night songs |
|---|---|---|
| Chuyện hoa sim ("Story of rose myrtle") |
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| Rừng lá thay chưa ("Have the leaves changed color") |
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| Liên khúc chiều mưa 3 ("Afternoon rain medleys 3") (with Mạnh Đình and Lâm Thúy Vân) |
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| Chuyện tình hoa trắng ("White-flowered love story") |
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| Một đời tìm nhau ("A lifetime searching for each other") |
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| Bọt biển ("Seafoam") (with Thế Sơn) |
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| Em vẫn hoài yêu anh ("I still love you") |
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| Nói với người tình ("Speak with your lover") (with Tường Nguyên) |
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| Nỗi buồn Châu Pha ("Sorrow of Châu Pha") (with Mạnh Đình and Hoàng Lan) |
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| Nếu đời không có anh ("If I live without you") |
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| Tim vỡ ("Heartbreak") (with Don Hồ) |
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| Điều chưa dám nói ("Things I dare not say") (with Tường Nguyên) |
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| Tình yêu vỗ cánh ("Flying love") |
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| Yêu tiếng hát ngày xưa ("Love the songs of the past") |
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| Hẹn một mùa xuân ("Date with springtime") (with Phi Nhung, Tường Khuê, and Tường Nguyên) |
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| Lý Bông Mai ("Melody of the yellow Mai") |
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| Người thương kẻ nhớ ("Missing and loving you") |
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| Xin đừng trách Đa Đa ("Please don't berate the Chinese francolin") (with Trường Vũ) |
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| Không giờ rồi: Như Quỳnh đặc biệt song ca ("It's midnight: Như Quỳnh special duets") |
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| Tình ơi... có hay! ("Oh... my love!") |
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| Anh tiền tuyến, em hậu phương ("You as a soldier, me left behind") (with Trường Vũ) |
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| Tơ tằm ("Silkworm") |
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| Khúc ca Đồng Tháp ("The song of Đồng Tháp") |
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| Gọi đò ("Calling the boat") (with Tường Nguyên) |
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| Khi con tim biết yêu ("When you are falling in love") (with Thiệu Kỳ Anh) |
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| Về lại đồi sim ("Return to the hill of rose myrtle") (with Tường Nguyên and Tường Khuê) |
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| Mưa buồn ("Rain of sadness") |
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| Duyên phận ("Yuanfen") |
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| Lạ giường ("Strange bed") |
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| Hương kỷ niệm ("Fragrant memory") (with Huỳnh Gia Tấn) |
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Live albums
editThese albums were released as part of the Thúy Nga Music Box series.
| Title | Album details | Asia / Paris by Night songs |
|---|---|---|
| Nhớ người yêu ("Miss your lover") (with Trường Vũ) |
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| Xin tình yêu ở lại ("Please let love stay") (with Tâm Đoan) |
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| Duyên kiếp ("Predestined lives") (with Trường Vũ) |
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Compilation albums
edit| Title | Album details | Asia / Paris by Night songs |
|---|---|---|
| The Best of Như Quỳnh |
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| The Best of Như Quỳnh 2: Áo hoa ("Flower dress") |
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| The Best of Như Quỳnh: Trên đỉnh mùa đông ("On top of winter") |
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| Duyên phận ("Fate") |
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| Vùng lá me bay ("Where tamarind leaves fly") |
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Singles
edit| Title | Single details | Paris by Night songs |
|---|---|---|
| "Vòng tay giữ trọn ân tình" ("The bracelet that protects our love") |
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| "Buồn làm chi em ơi" ("What are you sad for, dear") |
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Videography
editVideo albums
edit| Title | Year | Label |
|---|---|---|
| The Best of Như Quỳnh 1 from Paris by Night | 2000 | Thúy Nga |
| The Best of Như Quỳnh & Trường Vũ: Không giờ rồi (with Trường Vũ)[54] | 2005 | |
| The Best of Như Quỳnh 2 from Paris by Night: Nữa vầng trăng[55] | 2007 | |
| The Best of Như Quỳnh 3: Hoa tím người xưa[56] | 2010 | |
| The Best of Như Quỳnh 4: Trả lại thời gian[57] | 2012 | |
| The Best of Như Quỳnh: Mưa buồn[58] | Asia |
Filmography
editDirect-to-videos
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994–1996, 1998, 2007–2009 |
Asia | Herself | Series 6–12, 17, 56–63, Giải Sáng Tác 2008, Viet Model, Đêm Giáng Sinh |
[59] |
| 1996–2007, 2009–present |
Paris by Night | Series 38–84, 88, 89, 98–115, 117, 119–present, Divas, Gloria 3 |
[60] | |
| 2006 | Nửa Đời Hương Phấn | The/Hương | Cải lương genre film | [61] |
| 2011 | A Dancing Dream | Herself | Season 1 | [62] |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Network | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Tonight with Viet Thao | Herself | Thúy Nga | Episode 13 | [63] |
References
edit- ^ a b c "Chuyện đời ca sĩ hải ngoại Như Quỳnh". VietnamNet (in Vietnamese). 19 August 2015. Retrieved 2017-09-08.
- ^ a b c d David Khan. "Như Quỳnh by the DKclub". Archived from the original on 2007-05-29. Retrieved 2007-05-23.
- ^ Ngọc Anh (2018-04-16). "Em trai ruột nổi tiếng một thời của danh ca Như Quỳnh". soha.vn (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2019-02-02.
- ^ a b c d e f "Tâm Tình Cùng Bạn Đọc". Tuần Báo Mõ (in Vietnamese). San Francisco. February 1997. Archived from the original on 2008-09-17. Retrieved 2019-01-30.
- ^ a b c d e Hạnh An (January 6, 2018). "Như Quỳnh và chiếc áo cưới để dành". Báo sức khỏe đời sống – Cơ quan ngôn luận của Bộ Y Tế (in Vietnamese). Archived from the original on 2018-01-06. Retrieved 2018-01-22.
- ^ a b c d e f Nhi Quỳnh - Linh Võ (August 6, 2015). "Nhan sắc thay đổi của ca sĩ hải ngoại Như Quỳnh". Dân Việt (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2018-01-20.
- ^ Ánh Quang (January 15, 2018). "Đồng nghiệp ngỡ ngàng với cách xưng hô của mẹ con ca sĩ Như Quỳnh". soha.vn (in Vietnamese). VCCorp. Archived from the original on 2018-01-15. Retrieved 2018-01-22.
- ^ "Vụ Án Trung tâm ASIA kiện ca sĩ NHƯ QUỲNH năm 1997". Tuần Báo Mõ. 1997-04-27. Archived from the original on 2008-09-10. Retrieved 2019-02-01.
- ^ a b Lieu, Nhi T. (April 2011). The American Dream in Vietnamese. Univ Of Minnesota Press. p. 102. ISBN 9780816665709.
- ^ Thuy Nga (2016-12-31). "Paris By Night 52 - Giã Từ Thế Kỷ (Full Program)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2019-01-23.
- ^ Phương, Giang; Nguyễn, Bá Ngọc (2015-08-12). "Như Quỳnh được bảo vệ nghiêm ngặt khi xem show em trai". news.zing.vn. Retrieved 2019-02-02.
- ^ Long Phạm (21 June 2017). "Duyên phận và sự hủy hoại bolero khiến nhiều người phẫn nộ". 2sao (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2017-09-09.
- ^ Asia Entertainment Official (9 November 2015). "Chuyện Hoa Sim - Như Quỳnh [asia SOUND]". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Nhu Quynh Starlight". Archived from the original on 2009-03-08. Retrieved 2019-02-14.
- ^ "CHUYỆN HOA SIM - NHƯ QUỲNH (LP RECORD - ĐĨA NHỰA 180g)". AsiaEntertainment. Retrieved 2019-02-27.
- ^ Asia Entertainment Official (2019-06-25). "Như Quỳnh - Rừng Lá Thay Chưa | CD Nhạc Vàng Hay Nhất ( ASIA 79 )". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2019-07-10.
- ^ a b c "Nhu Quynh Starlight". Archived from the original on 2007-10-30.
- ^ Asia Entertainment Official (2019-03-24). "Liên Khúc Chiều Mưa 3 (1995) - Như Quỳnh, Mạnh Đình, Lâm Thúy Vân (ASIA CD 73)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2019-07-10.
- ^ Asia Entertainment Official (2019-06-01). "CD Như Quỳnh 3 - Chuyện Tình Hoa Trắng [ASIA CD84]". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2019-07-10.
- ^ Thuy Nga Radio (2019-07-09). "CD Như Quỳnh - Một Đời Tìm Nhau". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2019-07-10.
- ^ a b c d e f "Ca Sĩ Như Quỳnh". Facebook. 2020-01-14. Retrieved 2020-01-29.[self-published]
- ^ "CD :: TNCD142 Bọt Biển (Như Quỳnh & Thế Sơn)". thuyngashop.com. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Nhu Quynh Starlight". Archived from the original on 2007-12-13.
- ^ Thuy Nga Radio (2019-07-09). "CD Như Quỳnh - Em Vẫn Hoài Yêu Anh". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2019-07-10.
- ^ "CD :: TNCD157 Nỗi Buồn Châu Pha (Như Quỳnh, Mạnh Đình, Hoàng Lan)". thuyngashop.com. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
- ^ Thuy Nga Radio (2019-07-09). "CD Như Quỳnh - Nếu Đời Không Có Anh". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2019-07-10.
- ^ "CD :: TNCD190 Tim Vỡ (Như Quỳnh & Don Hồ)". thuyngashop.com. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
- ^ "CD :: TNCD196 Tình Yêu Vỗ Cánh (Như Quỳnh)". thuyngashop.com. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
- ^ "CD :: TNCD209 Yeu Tieng Hat Ngay Xua". thuyngashop.com. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
- ^ "CD :: TNCD228 Lý Bông Mai (Như Quỳnh)". thuyngashop.com. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
- ^ Thuy Nga Radio (2019-07-09). "CD Như Quỳnh - Người Thương Kẻ Nhớ". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2019-07-10.
- ^ "CD :: TNCD 244 Xin Đừng Trách Chim Đa Đa (Như Quỳnh & Trường Vũ)". thuyngashop.com. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
- ^ "CD :: Như Quỳnh Song Ca Đặc Biệt - Không Giờ Rồi (Như Quỳnh)". thuyngashop.com. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
- ^ Thuy Nga Radio (2019-07-09). "CD Như Quỳnh - Tình Ơi...Có Hay!". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2019-07-10.
- ^ "Anh Tiền Tuyến, Em Hâu Phương (Như Quỳnh & Trường Vũ)". thuyngashop.com. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
- ^ "Tơ Tằm (Như Quỳnh)". thuyngashop.com. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
- ^ "Khúc Ca Đồng Tháp (Như Quỳnh)". thuyngashop.com. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
- ^ "DVD :: Như Quỳnh - Kỳ Anh: Khi Con Tim Biết Yêu". thuyngashop.com. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
- ^ "Về Lại Đồi Sim by Tuong Nguyen, Như Quỳnh & Tuong Khue". iTunes. Retrieved 2019-02-22.
- ^ "CD Mưa Buồn - Như Quỳnh". AsiaEntertainment. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
- ^ "Duyên Phận (Như Quynh)". thuyngashop.com. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
- ^ "Lạ Giường". thuyngashop.com. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
- ^ Thuy Nga Radio (2019-07-09). "CD Như Quỳnh - Lạ Giường". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2019-07-10.
- ^ "Hương Kỷ Niệm (Như Quỳnh & Huỳnh Gia Tuấn)". thuyngashop.com. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
- ^ "Nhớ Người Yêu by Như Quỳnh & Trường Vũ". AppleMusic. Retrieved 2020-08-30.
- ^ "Xin Tình Yêu Ở Lại by Như Quỳnh & Tâm Đoan on Apple Music". AppleMusic. Retrieved 2021-04-11.
- ^ "Duyên Kiếp by Như Quỳnh & Trường Vũ on Apple Music". AppleMusic. Retrieved 2021-04-11.
- ^ "The Best Of Như Quỳnh - Double CD". thuyngashop.com. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
- ^ "Áo Hoa - (The Best of Như Quỳnh 2)". thuyngashop.com. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
- ^ Asia Entertainment Official (20 March 2016). "Về Lại Đồi Sim - Như Quỳnh [asia SOUND]". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
- ^ Thuy Nga (12 December 2018). "Livestream với Như Quỳnh & Quang Lê - December 12, 2018". YouTube. Retrieved 2018-12-13.[dead YouTube link]
"Duyên Phận - Như Quỳnh TNLP001". Retrieved 2019-02-02. - ^ "Vùng Lá Me Bay - Như Quỳnh TNLP002". Retrieved 2019-02-02.
- ^ "Buồn Làm Chi Em Ơi - Single by Như Quỳnh". AppleMusic. Retrieved 2020-08-30.
- ^ "KARAOKE :: The best of karaoke series :: The Best Of Như Quỳnh & Trường Vũ: Không Giờ Rồi". thuyngashop.com. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
- ^ "KARAOKE :: The best of karaoke series :: The Best Of Như Quỳnh 2 (Nửa Vầng Trăng)". thuyngashop.com. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
- ^ "KARAOKE :: The best of karaoke series :: The Best of Như Quỳnh 3 (Hoa Tím Người Xưa)". thuyngashop.com. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
- ^ "DVD The Best of NHƯ QUỲNH 4". thuyngashop.com. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
- ^ "Karaoke The Best Of Như Quỳnh - Mưa Buồn". AsiaEntertainment. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
- ^ "Asia 62 - Anh Bằng, Một Đời Cho Âm Nhạc". AsiaEntertainment. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
- ^ "Thuy Nga Paris By Night 127 - Hành Trình 35 Năm Phần 2". thuynga.com. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
- ^ "Cải Lương | Nửa Đời Hương Phấn - Như Quỳnh, Mạnh Quỳnh, Hương Lan, Hoài Linh, Chí Tài, Hương Thủy". YouTube. August 2019. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2019-08-02.
- ^ Thuy Nga (9 August 2018). "Như Quỳnh - Lạ Giường (Trịnh Lam) A Dancing Dream". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
- ^ "Tonight with Viet Thao - Episode 13 (Special Guest: NHU QUYNH)". YouTube. Thúy Nga. 2016-05-30. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2017-09-20.