Vietnam mourns its 'Dylan'

Trinh was an outspoken critic of the war

Thousands of people gathered in Ho Chi Minh City on Wednesday to pay tribute at the funeral of Vietnamese anti-war musician Trinh Cong Son.

Trinh, who died on Sunday at the age of 62, was dubbed the "Bob Dylan of Vietnam" by American singer Joan Baez.

He composed more than 600 songs which were popular with Vietnamese soldiers on both sides of the country's long and bloody civil war, which ended in 1975, falling foul of both governments.

More recently, Trinh - a legendary drinker and smoker - had been suffering from failing health, and he died of diabetes, liver and kidney failure.

His songs appealed to soldiers on both sides

Thousands lined the way on Wednesday as an US-made Vietnam War-era Dodge van carrying Trinh's coffin drove slowly through Ho Chi Minh City.

Many more followed the cortege on foot and motor scooter to a cemetery 20 miles away in the neighbouring Binh Duong province.

Trinh avoided the draft for the defeated South Vietnamese army and emerged as an anti-war composer in the late 1960s.

Harassed

His songs were banned in South Vietnam and he was harassed by secret police for advocating reunification with the communist North.

After the end of the war, he spent four years in a "re-education camp" after his family fled to the US.

But he was eventually honoured by the communist government and many officials sent their respects with floral tributes.

"Trinh Cong Son's contribution to our music will be remembered forever," said Trong Bang, the head of Vietnam's Musician Association.

Trinh's friends and family are converting an artists' meeting place in Ho Chi Minh City into a permanent memorial to the singer. It is due to open in June.