Artist Quốc Tuấn On Climbing Up From Rock Bottom

It’s funny how life connects in unexpected ways. I remember vividly the last time I was moved to tears by a film—it was a heart-wrenching insurance commercial, where a father, out of desperation, sold his cherished violin to pay for his son’s medical bills. That powerful story stuck with me.

Years later, while writing this recap of the Have A Sip podcast, I was stunned to learn that the father in that commercial was none other than the guest on this episode—Quốc Tuấn. Even more astonishing was how closely his real-life journey paralleled that of the character he played, particularly in his role as a devoted father to his son, Bôm.

Quốc Tuấn is known for his roles in films such as 12A4H and Người vác tù và hàng tổng. For many, he is known for the incredible journey he has taken alongside his son, who was born with APERT syndrome. Faced with this devastating diagnosis, Tuấn decided to pause his acting career and depart on the 20-year treatment journey with Bôm.

In this rare moment on the Have A Sip podcast, as Bôm had just graduated from Piano Jazz major at the Vietnam National Academy of Music, Tuấn shared with host Thùy Minh to reflect on his youth’s ambitions and, most importantly, the boundless love he has for Bôm.

Never Give Up Despite The Odds

When Quốc Tuấn was a student at the Hanoi Academy of Theatre and Cinema, he often skipped classes and wasn't serious about studying. Unsurprisingly, his teachers mainly assigned him minor, extra roles. After graduation, many of his classmates quickly found success while he still had no progress.

That reality hit him hard. He realized that if he continued being so indifferent, his career would remain stuck in the background, never moving forward. From that moment, Tuấn threw himself into working day and night to make up for lost time.

It took years of hard work, and while the journey was long and fraught with obstacles, he never regretted a single moment. He believes that only by overcoming tough times and challenges can we begin our journey toward success.

This is also the message he hopes to pass on to young people: You can't expect immediate excellence at the start of the journey. There will be stumbles, ups and downs, and moments of doubt, but the key is to keep going. Giving up isn’t just the end of a chapter - it’s the end of the whole story.

Turning Struggles Into Strength: A Father's Dedication

Determination has always been the compass that guides Quốc Tuấn in raising and caring for his son. When Bôm was born with a disability, it felt like his world had crumbled. He kept questioning life and fate, wondering why his child had to face such an uphill battle.

Despite the overwhelming despair, he never turned his back on his son or their shared future. Over the past 20 years, he put his artistic career on hold to stand by Bôm’s side, giving him the care and love he needed. They have undergone 11 major and minor operations together, each of which has tested their strength and finances.

During difficult times, Tuấn recognized his son's passion for music, especially the piano. He encouraged Bôm to follow his dream by combining medical treatments with hours of practice. After seven years of studying Piano Jazz at the Vietnam National Academy of Music, Bôm is now preparing to start his new journey at university.

Tuấn never allowed Bôm's disability to become an excuse for mediocrity. He instilled in his son a sense of responsibility and professionalism. To him, having health issues shouldn't be a means of seeking sympathy. If audiences paid to see him perform, then he owed them his best.

Many might say that Bôm is lucky to have a father like Quốc Tuấn, but the truth runs deeper. Bôm's presence in his life is a blessing to Quốc Tuấn. Despite the hard road, the sacrifices, and the dreams he had to set aside, Tuấn has received immense love and inspiration from his son. This love has fueled his passion, giving him the strength to continue, not just as a father, but as an artist.

If life were a tapestry, then the colorful design that Tuấn has woven is a testament to his resilience and unshakable love for his child.