How the 2010 Vietnam Idol Runner-Up Rose Above Criticism Over the Past 14 Years

From the moment Van Mai Huong became the runner-up of 2010 Vietnam Idol - a popular singing competition at that time, she quickly made her mark in the Vietnamese music industry. With her tender yet powerful voice, Van Mai Huong has captured the hearts of many with hits like "Nếu Như Anh Đến," "Cầu Hôn," and, most recently, "Đại Minh Tinh."

Her latest album, Minh Tinh, released in 2023, marked a new chapter in her musical journey. Like a phoenix rising, Van Mai Huong’s comeback was celebrated at the Green Wave Awards, where she won major accolades, including Song of the Year, Collaboration of the Year, Female Singer of the Year, and a spot in the Top 10 Songs of the Year.

In this episode of Have A Sip podcast, Van Mai Huong opens up about her journey of overcoming challenges and finding inspiration for music with a passionate and determined spirit.

Overcoming Pain To Find Joy

Van Mai Huong opened up about a period of depression that led her to withdraw from the public eye. It wasn’t until she received an invitation to perform with Peabo Bryson, a singer she had admired since childhood, that she found her way back to music.

In the darkest moments, sometimes all it takes is a helping hand to lift you up, and then everything will begin to look brighter.

There was also a time when her efforts were met with harsh criticism, and she turned to her grandmother for advice. In their conversation, she came to see an artist's journey as a heart monitor—constantly rising and falling, marked by ups and downs.

That’s why, despite many setbacks, Van Mai Huong continues to view her life with optimism, seeing low points as opportunities for an artist to grow and prove their abilities to the audience. For her, each song represents a step toward maturity and self-discovery.

Let Faith Guide the Way

Van Mai Huong's passion for singing began at the age of 14. At that time, she applied to be a mentee of People's Artist Hà Thủy but was rejected many times. However, she didn’t give up, singing 9 songs until her determination earned her acceptance.

Now, 14 years later, Van Mai Huong still feels nervous every time she goes on the stage, and sometimes she even forgets the lyrics. When feeling down, she chooses not to wear contact lenses to escape the audience's gaze. This allows her to feel safe performing with raw, unfiltered emotions, rather than becoming an “emotionless” performer.

She believes that artists should neither approach music superficially nor take it too intensely. For Van Mai Huong, her career was not about winning prizes, but about respecting her audience by maintaining a positive image and lifestyle.

Currently, she aims to contribute more, rest enough and live happily doing whatever she loves, rather than focusing on wealth or fame.

Stage Is Home, Always Will Be Home

Despite a smooth career start, Van Mai Huong encountered difficulties when her growth and musical evolution was not fully recognized by audiences. Yet, even in moments of self-doubt, she refused to compromise her unique style by chasing trends for popularity.

Van Mai Huong believes that understanding and connecting with music as a friend is key to delivering her best performance. To her, music is a trusted companion—one she cannot lie to or betray by performing anything that doesn’t resonate with her soul. Through a project with musician Hứa Kim Tuyền, she finally finds a way to tell her own story through music.

For Văn Mai Hương, connecting with her audience and learning from both older and younger generations are essential to staying attuned to the increasingly demanding music market. This openness to growth reflects her belief that love and music are deeply intertwined, each enriching the other and inspiring her songwriting.

Following the success of Đại Minh Tinh, she will continue to nurture her love for ballads while experimenting with new musical styles.

Translated by Thúy An