Song Tra, a prominent Vietnamese composer celebrated for his romantic ballads, has passed away at the age of 86. Known for his iconic songs such as 'Chiều sân ga' and 'Cõi nhớ', he died at 12:35 AM on September 12 due to health issues related to his advanced age. The family held a funeral service in Tây Thạnh, Tân Phú District, Ho Chi Minh City, with the burial scheduled for September 14 at Bình Dương Cemetery.

Director Hồng Sơn, a younger colleague of Song Tra, shared that he visited the composer a few days before his passing, but unfortunately, Song Tra no longer recognized his peers. Hồng Sơn reminisced about their discussions on bolero music, stating, "For me, he is one of the standout authors of the bolero genre, with timeless love songs like 'Chiều sân ga' and 'Cõi nhớ'."

Phương Anh, a singer who performed 'Chiều sân ga', expressed her sorrow during a visit to Song Tra, noting that he could not recognize her. She expressed gratitude for the many bolero songs he wrote, which helped her connect with audiences. "What moved me most was receiving compliments from the composer himself. Occasionally, he and his family invited me over to share meals and provided me with many of his compositions to record," she shared.

Born Trần Hữu Châu in 1940 in Quảng Ngãi, Song Tra graduated from the National School of Music and Drama (now the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music) and taught music in various schools in Vũng Tàu. His works, including 'Cõi nhớ', 'Cõi đêm', 'Chiều sân ga', 'Tôi yêu người, tôi xa người', and 'Hoa tìm đợi chờ', have resonated with many, with 'Chiều sân ga' being one of his most beloved pieces, featuring performances by artists like Băng Tâm, Như Hoa, and Phương Anh.

His music has garnered millions of views on platforms like YouTube, solidifying his status in the bolero music scene alongside other notable composers such as Châu Kỳ and Mặc Thế Nhân. In 1970, he performed in Japan with fellow musicians Hoàng Thi Thơ, Phạm Duy, and Thông Đạt. After 1975, he established the Saigon-Gia Định Artists Club in Ho Chi Minh City, contributing significantly to the cultural landscape.

Song Tra's love for his homeland is evident in many of his works, with his pen name reflecting the rivers of his youth. His songs often evoke nostalgia, as seen in the lyrics of 'Thương lắm Trà Giang'. He also composed numerous children's songs, performed by singer Xuân Mai. His passing marks a significant loss for the Vietnamese music community.