Musician Song Tra, whose real name was Tran Huu Chau, passed away at 12:35 AM on September 12 in Ho Chi Minh City after a prolonged illness. He was 86 years old. His death has left a profound sense of loss among many artists connected to the lyrical music genre.

Song Tra was born in 1940 in Quang Ngai and was formally trained at the National School of Music in Saigon, which is now the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music. He was also known by the pen name Hoai Thu. Throughout his career, he taught music at various schools in Vung Tau, which is now part of Ho Chi Minh City.

Among his most celebrated works are 'Chiều sân ga', 'Cõi nhớ', 'Cõi đêm', 'Hoa tím đợi chờ', and 'Tôi yêu người, tôi xa người', the latter co-written with musician Nguyen Tung. 'Chiều sân ga' is particularly significant as it has become synonymous with Song Tra's name, while 'Cõi nhớ' has also resonated with many generations of audiences.

A notable milestone in Song Tra's career occurred in 1970 when he performed in Japan alongside other prominent musicians such as Hoang Thi Tho and Pham Duy. His formal music training earned him the trust of fellow musician Chau Ky, who sought his assistance in refining musical works.

Post-1975, Song Tra's musical journey took a different direction. In addition to his famous romantic ballads, he composed over 200 children's songs, with notable recordings by singer Xuan Mai. His published music collections include 'Trường mầm non của bé', 'Đường chúng em đi', and 'Cõi nhớ'.

The essence of his hometown, Quang Ngai, was a constant source of inspiration in his compositions. His love for the Tra Giang River influenced his choice of the pen name Song Tra. Many of his songs, such as 'Thương lắm Trà Giang' and 'Về thăm quê hương', reflect his deep longing for his roots.

According to his family's obituary, the funeral service was held at 1:30 PM on September 12, with the burial taking place at Binh Duong Hoa Cemetery on September 14.