Phương Thanh

Bùi Thị Phương Thanh (born 27 April 1973), is a Vietnamese contemporary singer. She is one of the most renowned singers from Vietnam. Thanh is known for her diverse styles, especially when performing on stage. She also possesses a unique, unusual singing voice, gaining her recognition throughout the Vietnamese community as well as the music business. Thanh was born in a rural part of the Thanh Hóa Province, Vietnam, the second youngest of seven siblings in a disadvantaged family.

When Thanh was six years old, her family moved to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. Her father died when she was thirteen. The Bui family went through financial problems following her father's death without his financial support of the family.

Thanh attended Lê Quý Đôn High School. There, Thanh focused on acting, fashion and music, much to her mother's initial disapproval. She took part in every contest to do with show business, and to earn money to support her family.

Until the end of 1991, Thanh lived in obscurity. Her luck changed when a friend invited her to work for the youth movement and join the Labor Theatre House, a Vietnamese club for young singers. Thanh had a strong desire to sing. Her performing was excellent and her voice appealing and she soon found herself singing at wedding parties and restaurants all around Vietnam. She was not yet a star, but her family's economic situation improved greatly. She would ultimately become one of the most renowned Vietnamese female singers.