Singer Duyen Quynh - Shining from her mother's dream

"My mother is the only one who knows where I belong."

PV: Hello Duyen Quynh, could you share where you performed on your first stages?

Singer Duyen QuynhI started performing on stage quite early, when I was only 5 years old. Back then, the women's association in my ward often organized cultural programs, and those were the first stages where I was exposed to music and felt myself on stage. And those simple stages showed me that I belonged to music. The first song I sang was "Mother Is Away." To sing that song, my mother taught me every hand movement and where to look.

My mother was just a woman who loved to sing, but to me, she sang beautifully, and she taught me all the songs from that era.

PV: Passing the entrance exam to the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music was a very important milestone for you.What led you to this school?

Singer Duyen Quynh:The story begins with my older brother's invitation. He's two years older than me and was retaking the Composition entrance exam that year, so he asked me to join him. At the time, I had just finished 11th grade and mainly wanted to take the exam to test my abilities. I went to the city to study for about five sessions with two songs. Only on the day of the exam did I learn that besides the technical part, there were also sections on solfège, ear training, rhythm, etc. And on the morning of the exam, my brother started showing me what each note was. I didn't score any points on the solfège section, but thanks to the technical part, along with a bit of talent and extra points for being from Dak Lak, my total score was just enough to exceed the minimum passing mark. And so, I was lucky enough to become a student at the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music.

PV: So, at that time, did anyone in your family support your decision to study at the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music?

Singer Duyen Quynh:When I took the exam, everyone supported me, thinking I should just take it to see what it was like. But when I passed, my family didn't want me to go to school. At that time, I hadn't even graduated from high school, and I was a very shy girl. My father was the most worried, fearing that his daughter would encounter temptations if she went to study far away.

Luckily, when everyone else objected, my mother was the only one who supported me. She defended my decision in front of both sides of the family, neighbors, and acquaintances. She's the one I jokingly say "protected" me so I could study at the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music.

Interviewer: In your opinion, why does your mother trust and support you so much?

Singer Duyen Quynh:Throughout all the stages I've performed on, from childhood to adulthood, my mother has been my companion. She's also the one who nurtured my passion for music the most. Therefore, she understands me best. Perhaps I didn't know what I belonged to back then, but she knew very well. She believed I was suited for this profession. And partly, I think she wanted me to fulfill her unfinished dream. She herself had passed the entrance exam to the Dak Lak Provincial College of Culture and Arts but wasn't allowed to attend. So when I was prevented from pursuing my dream, the image of her youth came to mind. And she was the one who wholeheartedly supported me in achieving that dream.

"I had once neglected my mother's dreams, and her final words awakened me."

PV: During your time studying at the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music, what was the biggest challenge for a 17-year-old girl from a remote rural area?

Singer Duyen Quynh:The biggest challenge was undoubtedly the financial one. My family was in a very difficult situation at the time. When applying to the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music, my brother and I also submitted our poverty alleviation certificates. We rented a room and worked multiple part-time jobs to make ends meet. But in return, we had a burning passion for music.

PV: What kind of experiences did the performing activities during your time at the conservatory give you?

Singer Duyen Quynh:While still in school, performing on stages, both large and small, was an activity we always wanted to participate in. It gave us stage experience and some extra money to support our student life. I was fortunate to receive a lot of support and help from my seniors at school. They took me to perform at several venues in the city, allowing me to experience many different types of programs. I participated in program staging, worked with choirs, performed on stages requiring strong stage skills, and even staged plays and dramas. These experiences provided me with invaluable lessons that I later applied to my work and career path.

Interviewer: For quite a long time, you only played the role of a backup singer. What are your thoughts on that choice?

Singer Duyen Quynh:At that time, I felt that the job I was doing was secure enough and I could live quite comfortably. I was quite satisfied with it and didn't want to step out of that comfort zone. Moreover, I am an extremely shy person. Therefore, being behind the stage, in the wings, or behind the singers made me feel safer and more comfortable. Standing in front of the stage, I felt too much pressure. So, at that time, I thought that choice was the right one.

PV: At what point do you truly want to break free and escape the shadow of being a backup singer?

Singer Duyen Quynh:The turning point came when my mother fell ill. At that time, besides singing, staging shows, writing choral parts, and recording at home, I did many other jobs such as handing out flyers, selling snacks, clothes, shoes, and even crocheting handbags to sell. I did all of those jobs hoping to earn extra income to pay for my mother's treatment. But in the end, I couldn't keep her. Before she passed away, her last words to me were: "I want to see you standing on stage as a real singer, not always behind the scenes like this."

That final message awakened me. I asked myself: What had I been doing all these years, and what was the original dream my mother had when she brought me to the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music? It was then that I realized I had been too comfortable, to the point of forgetting my own dream and that of my loving mother. Ultimately, I decided to continue on this path. But this time, I walked it with my mother's dream in mind.

Interviewer: And how did you gradually shift your career path?

Singer Duyen Quynh:I started participating in game shows to gradually step out of my comfort zone, overcoming my shyness and lack of confidence. I wanted to leave the past behind and turn a new page, becoming a professional solo singer. This also meant that all my previous sources of income stopped because I would no longer be singing backing vocals or choir songs on stage. I had to try my best to move forward, progress faster, and have new sources of income to ensure my livelihood. The first competition I participated in was "The Powerful Band" in 2019, where I finished as the runner-up. After that, I continued to participate in "The Storyteller of Love" and was luckier, reaching the final and winning the championship.

PV: After proving yourself with top awards at music competitions, what musical activities have you been involved in?

Singer Duyen QuynhAfter those awards, I received many invitations to perform at major shows and game shows. I also started learning more about recording, video editing, and creating small content on social media to maintain a connection with my audience. I think that was also the time when I truly stepped out of the shadow of being a backup singer to follow my own path.

Besides my artistic activities, I participate in many charitable programs and sing at fundraising events. In particular, I've had the opportunity to work on many music projects with musician Nguyen Van Chung, releasing products with a fresher feel. Returning and winning the championship for the second time in the "Shining Stars" competition, I realized I've matured a lot: I've learned to listen more and to choose the values ​​I truly want to pursue.

PV: But it wasn't until the song "Continuing the Story of Peace" by composer Nguyen Van Chung that your name became more widely known. What led you to this song?

Singer Duyen Quynh"With 'Continuing the Story of Peace,' it was truly a stroke of luck. After my first trip to the sea and islands, and meeting and interacting with Vietnamese Navy soldiers, I developed a special love for the sea and islands. Upon returning to the mainland, I shared my feelings and memories from the trip with composer Nguyen Van Chung, along with stories about my father—a veteran—and his comrades. From those stories and emotions, Mr. Chung wrote 'Continuing the Story of Peace.'"

Initially, he wrote a version of "Continuing the Story of Peace" with a more cheerful tone. But that wasn't the emotion I wanted to convey, so I suggested he write another version. And that's how the "Continuing the Story of Peace" that listeners are hearing today came into being. When I received the demo at 3 AM, I cried because I felt the song resonated with things I had experienced and felt.

PV: Besides performing, you also compose music, do voiceovers for films, and are actively involved in charity work. Why do you always want to challenge yourself in new fields?

Singer Duyen Quynh:I'm an introvert, but I love challenging myself. Every choice in life, for me, is an opportunity to push my limits. In particular, I don't have an exceptionally good singing voice. Therefore, to get to where I am today, I've had to constantly improve my vocals, stage skills, confidence, and musical sensibility. I want to try a new image, a new singing style, even things I've never experienced before. Perhaps because of the word "Destiny" in my name, I believe every opportunity that comes my way is a matter of fate. And when that fate arrives, I want to challenge myself to see how far I can go.

PV: What upcoming music projects would you like to reveal to the audience?

Singer Duyen Quynh:Soon, I will return to the audience with songs about my homeland and country, but presented in a more modern way. These will be songs showcasing the beauty of different regions across Vietnam. What's special about this album is that I will be co-writing with musician Nguyen Van Chung. This is also the first album where I feel confident enough to take on the role of a songwriter. I am very much looking forward to introducing Duyen Quynh to the audience in this new role.

PV:Thank you for sharing!

Ngoc Ha