Singer An Duyen: "No matter where I go, I always want to return to my hometown of Nghe An."
Born in Anh Son, Nghe An province, An Duyen (birth name Vo Thi Duyen) harbored a dream of becoming a singer from a young age. However, difficult family circumstances almost forced her to put her passion aside. But perhaps it was precisely because of the burning desire in her heart that An Duyen gradually realized her dream of singing and performing on stage.
Although she is only a second-year student in the Vocal Music department at the Vietnam National Academy of Music, An Duyên has already appeared in numerous albums and music videos, attracting the attention of a wide audience. Notable examples include "Come Home to Nghe An, My Homeland," "Our Love in Ha Tinh," and "What's Left, My Dear?"
PV:Dear An Duyen,Perhaps the music video "Mai em về Hà Tĩnh" (Tomorrow I'll Return to Hà Tĩnh), composed by musician Trần Hoàn, is your first musical release?
SingerAnDuyen:The song "Tomorrow I'll Return to Ha Tinh" has been famous for a long time, and An Duyen, in particular, has left a deep impression on me. It speaks of the love between two people on opposite sides of the Lam and La rivers. I remember the line most vividly.“So much bitterness and sweetness when digging rivers and building dams/When carving mountains to build roads, sweat mixed with blood… Tomorrow you return to Ha Tinh, I stay in Nghe An/The Lam and La rivers share the same melody.”Through this, I can feel the hardships and difficulties faced by the people of my hometown, yet they always persevere and overcome adversity.
Although many singers have successfully performed this song, I still wanted to try my hand at it. An Duyen wanted to sing this song naturally and youthfully. The song was arranged in a more youthful style so that both older and younger people could listen to it. Fortunately, the song has received much love from listeners.
PV:next music videoAnDuyen sings about her homeland, Nghe An.What is that?
SingerAnDuyen:While working on the music video "Mai Em Ve Ha Tinh" (Tomorrow I'll Return to Ha Tinh), I had the opportunity to meet musician and singer Phan Anh Vu, also a native of Nghe An (son of musician Phan Thanh Chuong). The musician has many songs about his homeland, reflecting the folk music of Nghe An, with simple and relatable lyrics. We collaborated on several music videos, the first being "Ve Thoi Xu Nghe Que Oi" (Come Home, My Homeland), composed by Phan Anh Vu. Through these songs, I wanted to express my love for my birthplace. Most recently, I created the music video "Con Gi Dau Hoi Nguoi" (What's Left, My Dear?), dedicated to the people of Central Vietnam after the storm, as a way of sharing the difficulties faced by my homeland due to natural disasters and floods.
PV:The songs thatAnDuyen's performance is pure yet profound, with a touch of melancholy when she remembers Nghe An province.?
SingerAnDuyen:An Duyen's childhood was intertwined with the difficult and arduous years of her parents and family, as well as the people in her hometown. My parents had four children, and they were all farmers. I vividly remember the image of our old thatched-roof, mud-walled house, with nothing around it. When I was little, I often followed my mother to the fields to plant peanuts, corn, cassava, and sweet potatoes… Seeing the hardships of my parents and the villagers made me love my homeland even more.
I grew up in the former Anh Son district – a mountainous district in the west of Nghe An province, with a harsh climate and people had to work very hard just to make ends meet. In collaboration with musician and singer Phan Anh Vu on songs about homeland and country like "Song of the Three Regions," "The Heartache of the People of Ha Tinh," and "Come Home to Nghe An, My Homeland," An Duyen likes "Come Home to Nghe An, My Homeland" the most. I want to express my feelings, a part of my childhood is in it, and I also want to convey my affection to those who are far from home, that no matter where they go, they always want to return to their homeland, Nghe An.
PV:Having loved singing since childhood and dreaming of performing on stage, how did An Duyên make that dream a reality?
SingerAnDuyen:After finishing high school, although I wanted to pursue art, my family's difficult circumstances forced me to put that dream on hold. An Duyen moved to Vung Tau, worked for a social media company, and for a time, performed songs about her hometown on digital platforms. An Duyen received support from many viewers and fellow countrymen. Thanks to that, I had some funds to continue pursuing my dream of further education.
Coincidentally, while working on TikTok, I met Mr. Ha The Dung. After more than a year working at a company in Vung Tau, I went to Ho Chi Minh City to study music with Mr. Dung, who guided me. When I decided to go to Hanoi to study art, it was Mr. Ha The Dung who introduced me to Ms. Dinh Trang, who helped and mentored me.
There was a time when An Duyen thought that the gates of a music school were truly enormous and difficult to enter, but if she didn't try, she would probably regret it for the rest of her life. Looking back, An Duyen was very determined, even thinking that if she didn't pass the entrance exam, she would try again the following year. Fortunately, on her first attempt at the Vietnam National Academy of Music, An Duyen achieved her dream of challenging herself and receiving formal musical training.
PV:Parents and family must be verydonateAnIs it fate that brought us together on our musical journey?
Singer An Duyen:When I found out I got accepted into the National Academy of Music, I cried. I texted Ms. Dinh Trang and called my family. Before that, I had told my parents, "I just want your support to pursue my passion." My parents loved me very much, and at that time, my father said, "Since you're so determined, even if I have to sell glue, I'll let you go to school." I've always believed that my efforts would be rewarded. And I've been truly fortunate to have many people helping me on my path. An Duyen believes that if I try hard every day, coupled with determination and effort, good things will come to me.
I also tried my luck in two competitions: the "Sao Mai of Nghe An" singing competition, reaching the final round, and the "Hanoi Singing Contest," reaching the semi-finals. I learned and gained experience from these two competitions, which will be valuable for my future. Currently, I am training to pursue my dream of conquering more music competitions.
PV: ThankAnDuyen! I wish you even more success in the future.