VANTHAN.

Vanthan Ly, professionally known as Vanthan, is a multi-talented singer, songwriter, producer, and instrumentalist, recognized as one of Cambodia’s most gifted musical virtuosos. With the rare ability to play over 30 instruments, including Cambodia’s classical treasures like the roneat, kloy, kum, and japey, he embodies the heart and soul of Cambodian music.

His musical journey began in 2001, dedicating himself to mastering traditional Cambodian instruments before expanding his expertise in France in 2009, where he studied music production, theory, and composition. From 2003 to 2015, Vanthan toured the world as a member of Phare, the globally renowned Cambodian circus troupe, honing his performance skills on international stages.

Although he first gained recognition as part of the band Behind The Shadow (later renamed Bshadow and eventually BBand), Vanthan’s defining moment came when he stepped into the spotlight as a solo artist in 2021, signing with Baramey Production and quickly proving himself as one of Cambodia’s most influential musicians. His role as the instrumentalist behind "Time to Rise" (VannDa ft. Master Kong Nay), the most streamed song in Cambodian history, cemented his place in the industry and propelled Cambodian music onto the global stage.

Vanthan later built on this success with his own massive hit, "Khmer Gentlemen / Komlors Srok Khmer" featuring VannDa, which has now surpassed 104 million views on YouTube, making it the second most streamed song in Cambodian digital history, right behind Time to Rise. With this, Vanthan has played an integral role in not just one, but two of the biggest songs in Cambodia’s modern music history.

Beyond the studio, Vanthan has become a global ambassador for Cambodian music and instruments, gracing some of the world’s most prestigious festivals, including:

• Wonderfruit, Rolling Loud, and Maho Rasop (Thailand)

• Takao Rock (Taiwan)

• Sabaidee Fest (Los Angeles, USA) – as part of VannDa’s headlining set

• Cambodia Day Festival (USA) – where he performed a solo set to an international crowd

He is widely celebrated as one of the kings of Cambodian New Year music, delivering annual anthems that have become traditions for fans across the country.

Looking Ahead: 2025 & Beyond

Now fully focused on his solo career, Vanthan’s vision for 2025 is ambitious—he aims to bring Cambodian music to even greater international heights, expanding into global collaborations and performances. He will once again take the stage at Sabaidee Fest 2025 in Los Angeles on July 12-13, continuing his mission to showcase the richness of Cambodian culture to the world.

As a pioneering force in Southeast Asian music, Vanthan is not just a performer—he is a movement, blending tradition with modernity to create a truly timeless sound.

DISCOGRAPHY

MUSIC VIDEOS