Vuong Hong Sen was a distinctive writer, profound cultural researcher, prestigious collector of antiques. His other pen-names were: Anh Vương, Đạt Cổ Trai, Vân Đường. He used to be an exemplary administrative official under French colonialism authority. He was the man who lived through almost 20th century and witnessed all historical events that took place in the South of Vietnam. Perhaps, he was an only man that having encyclopedic knowledge regarding many different fields relating to the Vietnam South culture. He was also an unique collector in Vietnam possessing colossal treasure trove of Vietnamese & Chinese antiques & ceramics. He was author of such books: Saigon in the by-gone years. Saigon ta-pi-lu. Hơn nửa đời hư. A handbook for the collector of antique. And the book Memoirs towards 50 Years ... that you are holding firstly published in the year of 1966 in Sai Gon - the Capital of the then Vietnam South. It restored & flashed back the formation & the progression of Vietnamese singing of Cai Luong from the last years of 19th century to the year of 1966 of the last 20th century by providing a readership with true & detailed information & materials.
Contents:1 - What I known about origin of Cai Luong ?. 2 - The pioneers of Cải Lương: Học Lạc (1842 - 1915); Tư Triều - Bẩy Triều; Tống Hữu Định; Phạm Đăng Đàng; Hồ Văn Trung; Đặng Thúc Liêng; Trần Văn Nhiều; Trần Ngọc Viện; Nguyễn Tri Khương... 3 - The first companies - troupes of Cai Luong: Hai Cu; Tan Thinh; Phuoc Cuong... 4 - Three periods of Cai Luong. 5 - Some the most well-known artists of Cai Luong: Ba Nhàn, Hai Nhỏ, Bảy Nhiêu, Năm Phỉ, Ba Lựu, Ba Trà, Ngọc Sương, Út Trà Ôn, Thành Được, Thanh Nga, Út Bạch Lan, Paul Tấn, Phước Georges ... 6 - A plastic discs recorded in the year of 1938. 7 - Appendix: A collection of songs of Cai Luong. Old posters & invitation's coupons. Illustrative black photos.