Asia Entertainment

Asia Entertainment (Vietnamese: Trung tâm Asia) was a prominent American record label and production company specializing in Vietnamese-language music for the overseas Vietnamese diaspora. Founded in 1982 by musician Anh Bằng in Westminster, California, it grew into one of the largest and most influential Vietnamese music producers outside Vietnam. The company initially released music on cassette and CD, and in 1990 expanded into filmed music videos. Its first live video production, "Đêm Sài Gòn 1," was recorded in August 1992 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Under the management of Anh Bằng's daughter Thy Vân, along with musicians Trúc Hồ and Diệu Quyên, Asia Entertainment produced numerous themed music shows and live concerts, becoming a cultural cornerstone for Vietnamese communities abroad. The label was known for nurturing and promoting many famous overseas Vietnamese singers, including Lâm Nhật Tiến, Như Quỳnh, Đan Nguyên, and many others. It also organized annual events such as The Dream (a talent competition), songwriting contests, and charity programs. After the death of founder Anh Bằng in 2015 and the departure of key personnel, the company ceased production in 2018. Its legacy remains significant in the Vietnamese diaspora music scene.

Asia Entertainment was founded in 1982 by musician Anh Bằng in Westminster, California, initially under the name Trung tâm Lê Minh Bằng. After producing four cassettes, Anh Bằng renamed it Trung tâm Dạ Lan, which released the successful first music cassette titled "Như Một Nụ Hồng," generating enough capital to build a larger recording studio. He then handed Dạ Lan over to his nephew Trần Thăng and founded Trung tâm Asia in 1985. Initially, Asia released music on cassette and CD; in 1990, it began producing filmed music videos. In August 1992, Asia produced its first live video show, "Đêm Sài Gòn 1," at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Due to Anh Bằng's hearing loss, management was transferred to his daughter Thy Vân, who invited musicians Trúc Hồ and Diệu Quyên to collaborate. Later, Việt Dzũng and Nam Lộc joined as MCs. Under this leadership, Asia became one of the largest music production centers in the overseas Vietnamese community. The company produced live music shows across various venues, from the Long Beach Performing Arts Center to casinos in Las Vegas and the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. It was known for themed programs such as Đêm Sài Gòn, Tác Giả Tác phẩm, Dạ Vũ Quốc tế, Âm nhạc Vòng Quanh Thế giới, Bốn Mùa, Tình khúc Thời Chinh Chiến, and Mùa Hè Rực Rỡ. Asia also produced live shows for individual artists and successfully trained and promoted many young singers who became famous in the overseas Vietnamese music scene, including Lâm Nhật Tiến, Như Quỳnh, Đan Nguyên, Huỳnh Phi Tiễn, Lâm Thúy Vân, Gia Huy, Shayla, Ánh Minh, Dạ Nhật Yến, Y Phương, Băng Tâm, Đặng Thế Luân, Justin Nguyễn, Mai Thanh Sơn, Lê Anh Quân, Cát Lynh, and others. Many of these artists also collaborated with Trung tâm Thúy Nga and continued there after Asia's bankruptcy in 2018. Asia also organized annual programs such as The Dream (Asia Voice/Giọng Ca Vàng), a talent search; Giải Sáng Tác, a songwriting contest; Cám Ơn Anh, a charity event for disabled veterans of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces; and sponsored cultural events for the Đại hội Thánh Mẫu in Missouri. From the late 2010s, Asia's activities declined due to rising production costs and falling revenues, a common trend among overseas Vietnamese music production centers. After Anh Bằng's death on November 12, 2015, Trúc Hồ announced in a letter dated October 27, 2016, that he would cease his role as music director after completing the production of "Asia 78," to focus on developing SBTN, the television station he founded. His departure led to the exit of many key artists such as Lâm Nhật Tiến, Thiên Kim, Quốc Khanh, Đoàn Phi, Huỳnh Phi Tiễn, Hoàng Thục Linh, Diễm Liên, Mai Thanh Sơn, and others. On October 31, 2016, Asia issued a press release introducing a new board of directors: Thy Vân (General Director), Vũ Tuấn Đức (Music Director), John Bạch (Producer), and Đăng Minh Hoàng (Producer), along with an advisory board of veterans. John Bạch and Đăng Minh Hoàng had produced the DVDs "Asia Icons – Mai Lệ Huyền" (2014) and "Asia Golden 4 – Khúc Nhạc Tình Quê" (2015). Asia produced its final program, "Asia 82 – Dòng Nhạc Phạm Đình Chương," before ceasing production in 2018. In Vietnam, during the mid-2000s, authorities banned and confiscated pirated DVDs of Asia's programs due to content deemed anti-government and historically revisionist, specifically programs Asia 54, 58, 65, 66, and 71. After Asia ceased operations in 2018, other artists such as Băng Tâm, Lâm Thúy Vân, Hồ Hoàng Yến, and more recently Nguyên Khang moved to collaborate with Trung tâm Thúy Nga.

• 2018

  Ceased production after final program "Asia 82".

• 2016

  Trúc Hồ announced departure as music director; new board of directors introduced on October 31.

• 2015

  Founder Anh Bằng died on November 12.

• 1992

  Produced first live video show "Đêm Sài Gòn 1" at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas.

• 1990

  Began producing filmed music videos.

• 1985

  Renamed Trung tâm Asia after Anh Bằng handed Dạ Lan to his nephew.

• 1982

  Founded by Anh Bằng in Westminster, California, as Trung tâm Lê Minh Bằng.

Leading producer of Vietnamese-language music for overseas communities, known for large-scale live shows and artist development.

• Đêm Sài Gòn live show series

• Asia series DVDs

• The Dream / Asia Voice talent competition

• Giải Sáng Tác songwriting contest

• Cám Ơn Anh charity program

1. 1Asia Entertainment - Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2Trung tâm Asia - Wikipedia tiếng Việtvi.wikipedia.org