Several young people with disabilities have found an endless source of solace, joys and a sense of purpose in music.

Mai Ha, a blind girl who is playing music at the Organization for the Support and Education of Disadvantaged Children (OSEDC2) in district 12, Ho Chi Minh City, said she senses the pervasive spring through her pieces on the “dan tranh” (16-chord zither).

The 22-year-old girl has spent eight years learning to play the zither. While struggling to sharpen her skills with the instrument over the years, able-bodied people have finished their music college courses.

However, Ha and many others like her, remain undaunted by the lengthier process.

“We’re happy, that’s what counts,” shared Vi Thi Nen, an ethnic minority Thai girl with a pretty face.

Nen is one of the fastest learners and best players of “dan bau” (monochord) at Osedc2, overcoming adversity as when she first arrived at the center, she could hardly move her limbs.

Despite his blindness, Ha Chuong, a 27-year-old composer, has always been a source of pride and a great asset to performances at Doi Rat Dep club in district 3. He’s now working on an experimental project called “Welcome to Vietnam”, in which the monochord plays a central part.

A few months ago, Chuong married his soul mate, a girl from Da Nang who has fallen in love with him after years of supporting him through his struggles in the dark.

Similarly, visually impaired couple Van Phong and Thi Thuy are happily married with their 3-year-old daughter. Thuy, a  Braille teacher for blind people, admired and adored Phong’s musical gifts. He taught her how to play musical instruments and their love has budded and blossomed since.

Van Phong performs, teaches and carries out research on music at the same time. He plays several traditional and modern instruments. He sadly stated that visually impaired people like him can’t be facially expressive while performing as their healthy colleagues are.

25-year-old composer/mixer/musician Nguyen Thanh Binh, who was born blind, stated he had numerous difficulties in learning music since he was 6 years old. However, the young man believes that we not only learn music from books and music scripts, but from the heart.

He often devotes all his time and energy to foreign music, particularly jazz, with sleepless nights spent indulging in music.

After four years working in the local showbiz scene, several celebrated singers have trusted him with mixing their works. Binh also plays several musical instruments and composes occasionally.

Binh, who has pocketed several local music awards,  now runs his own studio and plans to produce his own music works along with cooperating with local singers in producing albums and making shows as he’s doing now.

“Life is never absolutely fair, the thing that counts is that we feel content and happy,” Binh said with a smile.

Meanwhile, Thuy Tien is well loved for her sweet singing voice and flawless performances of revered composer Trinh Cong Son’s music. She has also successfully performed his haunting songs in several countries and appeared on some local talk shows which highlight her perseverance and music skills.

Tien had undergone eight painful surgeries in her facial areas to save her voice and the frame of her mouth.

Although she has now recovered from surgery, Tien's mouth remains deformed. However, she doesn’t let that get in the way of her singing passion and ability.

“There are times when I felt I had nothing to live for, but I was soon consoled, thinking that at least I’m still singing,” she shared.