Linh says she came up with the idea for “Bringing music to hospitals” by chance. In 2009 Linh and her colleagues organized a gala night to collect donations for a 3-year-old patient from a very poor family in the city of Quy Nhon, and other patients, who had to stay in the hospital during the Lunar New Year Festival.

When they were about to leave, a doctor told her that if the singers came again, the doctors and other patients would love to hear them sing. Linh thought about the suggestion and decided she wanted to get her friends to sing at hospitals for doctors and patients. Linh recalls: "Initially, my plan received a lot of criticism, which helped me improve the program framework. Two years later, in December, 2011, my program “Bringing music to hospitals” was introduced. Since then we have organized 33 programs nationwide, mostly in Hanoi."

Over the past year, Linh and many other singers have organized two or three performances every month. It’s not easy to organize a music show in a hospital because it’s a place which requires peace and quiet.  Linh says it’s easier now that the program has proved its humanitarian and practical value. The performances have entertained more than 15,000 people who had to be in the hospital for various reasons. Doctor Nguyen Van Hai who works at the National Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital says: "The music program has had a positive impact on patient treatment and doctor morale. It’s a food-of-mind for the patient to fight their sickness. The program has helped patients and doctors relax in the stressful hospital atmosphere. Singer Thai Thuy Linh puts a great effort into this humanitarian activity."

 More than 200 artists have gotten involved in the music program. In addition to the inspiration they provide, they also give cash and gifts to disadvantaged patients. They receive donations from various sources including artists, doctors, guards - even small amounts from patients who are struggling financially. Singer Linh again: "During the “Bringing music to hospitals” program, we’ve seen many doctors put money in our donation box for their patients. People sitting in wheelchairs, walking on crutches, and hooked up to IN drips also donate small amounts. Some patients cried when they came to the stage to get money donated by people in the same miserable situation."

A child patient being hooked to IN drips and his mother are watching a show at the National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion

With the message “We don’t perform, we bring music to hospitals to exchange for the rare smiles here”, the program has been a useful treatment for the patients, their relatives, and that doctors. Linh told us that being selected as one of the Youth Union’s 10 outstanding young people is an acknowledgement of hundreds of volunteers and donors. Linh again: "My motivation is the unfortunate people. It’s because of them that we organized this program. We’ll keep on going on our long path. The award is an encouragement and a reminder that we have to continue to contribute in a professional way to meet the people’s love and expectation."

Linh said the smiles of the patients and doctors are an enormous motivation for her and her colleagues to continue bringing music to hospitals.