Vietnamese singer Van Quang Long, a former member of 1088 Boy Band, which was wildly popular in Vietnam in the 2000s, died from a stroke at the age of 41 in the U.S. on Monday (local time).

According to Long’s ex-wife, Linh Lan, the singer suffered a stroke and passed away while having lunch with his uncle’s family in Missouri at about 12:00 pm on Monday (U.S. time).

With the approval and on behalf of Long’s parents, Lan announced the singer’s demise to his friends and colleagues in Vietnam.

Due to difficulties in transporting Long’s body from the U.S. to Vietnam, the family decided to carry out his cremation in the foreign country and bring his ashes to his homeland later.

Comedian Viet Huong and Long’s colleagues will help with the repatriation of the ashes, Lan said.

Van Quang Long’s real name is Le Quang Hien.

He was born in 1979 in Sa Dec Town, now Sa Dec City, located in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap.

He became famous as a member of 1088 Boy Band, which included four other members -- Dien Thai Toan, Nhat Tinh Anh, Nhat Thien Bao, and Ung Hoang Phuc. 

In the 2000s, 1088 was the most famous pop boy band in Vietnam with many popular songs.

After his departure from the group, Long worked as solo singer and remained active in the Mekong Delta region for a couple of years before relocating to the U.S.

According to his peer in 1088 Boy Band, singer Ung Hoang Phuc, the late singer lived in the U.S. alone without his current wife and children.

After 1088’s disbandment, the five members rarely had a chance to be reunited onstage.

They merely had collaborations for some special programs, with the latest performance featuring Long, Phuc, and Anh in 2018.

Many of Long's colleagues and friends in the music industry have expressed their grief at his passing.

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