When Tung Duong returned with a new song and a 1 billion VND invested MV "Phoenix Wings" , he announced that he wanted to change his musical thinking to be newer, younger and closer to the audience.

But on Tuoi Tre Online , a reader commented: "Who is Tung Duong?".

When asked, Tung Duong said: "If a colleague knew who I was and still asked that question, I would be angry. But when the audience asked who Tung Duong was, I didn't feel the slightest bit offended."

Tung Duong in the past, when he went to the Bad Stars section, he jumped up immediately.

He confidently replied to Tuoi Tre Online : "I like that question. If they don't know who I am, I have to try harder so that one day they will know.

My name must go viral more, work harder. From when they don't know me, to when they do, I have conquered one more person.

If you find yourself famous enough, it's time to stop and not develop any further."

Even though the audience knows about Tung Duong, they don't know him well and his voice hasn't conquered them, according to him, they still have the right to ask that question.

If an audience who has never heard of him accidentally hears him sing and praises him, Tung Duong feels "extremely happy, like when he started his career."

"The time for me to be self-conscious has passed" - Tung Duong added - "In the past, I sang the song Con Co and won the Bai Hat Viet award, went barefoot and wore Cong Tri's costume, and had a three-inch head. But the next day I was still on the "Ugly Stars" list because of my bad dressing.

When I was younger, I would have jumped up and down, gritting my teeth, annoyed by that article. But that was just how old I was. When you’re young, you’re always eager to win.

But now it's over. I look at any criticism to see if it's well-intentioned and constructive. I don't feel hurt or resentful anymore."

The singer admitted that he has two new and old versions, not completely opposite but with many differences.

Before, he was extreme, only wanted to sing what he liked without caring much about reception. He used to sing at events but chose Ngoc Dai's music, performing like he was possessed on stage. This narrowed his audience.

But in recent years, especially after a trip to Tibet before COVID-19, Tung Duong has changed a lot. He feels a youthful energy inside him and urges him to innovate and reach out to more audiences.

The name Tung Duong has become more "viral" on social networks through covers of many pop songs such as Who is loyal to love forever, Anh oi o lai, Ngay chua gio bao, Nang tho, Ben tren thang lau, Sau loi tu xu...

Most recently, he went viral with the song "One Round of Vietnam " by musician Dong Thien Duc. Dong Thien Duc gave "One Round of Vietnam " to Tung Duong to record, and a year later the song went viral.

This made Tung Duong declare: "I don't follow trends, trends come to me."

The word "monument" should not be self-proclaimed.

Recently, many singers with 20 or 30 years of experience in the Vietnamese music industry have had anniversary activities such as releasing MVs, making albums or holding their own live concerts.

Under an article about singer Ha Tran, when the crew honored her as a "monument", some viewers commented in denial, saying that the word "monument" was excessive.

As for Tung Duong, he has also been active for 20 years since the Sao Mai Diem Hen program in 2004 - where he won an award voted by the art council.

He went through many stages, great milestones, and won many music awards.

When asked if singers with 20 or 30 years of experience are at a disadvantage when current audiences may have forgotten their past achievements, Tung Duong replied:

"That's why I have to rejuvenate, so that younger generations will one day know me."

Generational gaps always happen. According to him, parents of young audiences today are the ones who know more about veteran singers.

He said: "As for the word monument - I don't think anyone calls themselves a monument.

If someone calls themselves a monument, they are not great yet. They are great when they are filial and understanding of life.

The value I aim for is not to become a monument but to inspire and bring positivity to everyone. "Monument" should not be self-proclaimed but should be given by the audience or experts.