A temporary logo on Google’s homepage, known as Google Doodle, featured late Vietnamese songwriter Trinh Cong Son to honor his 80th birthday on Thursday, making him the first of his country to be honored in such a way by the tech giant.

A representative from Google Singapore first contacted Son’s family in early January and offered to honor him with a Google Doodle image, Trinh Vinh Trinh, the songwriter’s younger sister and a famed singer herself, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

“Paying tribute to [Son] with a Doodle is a really special gift for his birthday and family. It’s also good news for those who love his music,” Trinh said.

Trinh Cong Son and his younger sister Trinh Vinh Trinh are seen in this photo she provided.

Born in 1939, Son was a prolific songwriter who composed over 600 songs spanning the themes of love, human fate, and war sorrow.

He was a prominent figure in Vietnam’s music firmament in the last decades of the 20th century, along with his contemporaries Pham Duy and Van Cao.

His music still remains popular with Vietnamese people, young and old, many years after his death in 2001.

He is considered by the global media as the Vietnamese equivalent of Bob Dylan – an influential American popular songwriter.

He is also the first Vietnamese songwriter to have his music sold in Japan.

Google Doodles are used to commemorate holidays, events, achievements, and people who have made important societal contributions.

In 2003 the Vietnamese Google homepage (www.google.com.vn) began publishing a number of Doodles dedicated to Vietnam’s major public holidays such as Teachers’ Day, Mid-Autumn Festival, New Year and Reunification Day, but this is the first time a Vietnamese person has been honored.

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