Singer An Duyen: "No matter where I go, I always want to return to my hometown Nghe An"

Born in Anh Son, Nghe An, since childhood, An Duyen (birth name Vo Thi Duyen) has cherished the dream of becoming a singer. However, due to difficult family circumstances, there was a time when the young girl seemed to have to put her passion aside. But perhaps, thanks to the desires that always burned in her mind, An Duyen gradually realized her dream of singing and standing on stage.

Báo Nghệ An•29/10/2025

Although she is a second-year student of the Vocal Department at the Vietnam National Academy of Music, An Duyen has appeared in many albums and music videos, attracting the attention of the public, such as "Come back to Nghe An", "Love of Ha Tinh", "What's left, my dear"...

PV: Dear An Duyen, perhaps the MV "Mai em ve Ha Tinh ", composed by musician Tran Hoan, is your first "released" music product?

Singer An Duyen: The song “Mai em ve Ha Tinh” has been famous for a long time and for An Duyen, it has a very deep impression, talking about the love of couples on both sides of the Lam River and La River. I remember the most the line “So many bitter and sweet things when digging rivers and building dams/When cutting mountains and building roads, sweat mixed with blood… Mai em ve Ha Tinh, I stay in Nghe An /The Lam River and the La River share the same melody” , through which, I can feel the hardships and difficulties of the people of my hometown but always steadfastly overcome the situation.

Although many singers have performed this song successfully, I still want to try. An Duyen wants to sing this song naturally and youthfully. The song has been arranged in a more youthful style so that both the elderly and the young can listen to it. Luckily, this song has received the love of the listeners.

PV: What is the next MV An Duyen will sing about her hometown Nghe An ?

Singer An Duyen: When making the MV “Mai em ve Ha Tinh”, I had the chance 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, with the folk music of Nghe An, with simple and familiar lyrics. The two brothers collaborated to make a number of MVs, the first being the song “Ve thoi xu Nghe que oi” composed by musician Phan Anh Vu. Through those songs, I wanted to convey my love for my birthplace. Most recently, the MV “Con gi dau oi nguoi” was sent to the people of the Central region after the storm, as a way to share with the homeland the difficulties caused by natural disasters and floods.

PV: The songs that An Duyen performs are clear but profound, with something stirring when remembering Nghe An ?

Singer An Duyen: An Duyen's childhood was associated with the difficult and arduous years of her parents and the whole family, as well as the people of her hometown. My parents had 4 children and they all worked in agriculture. I always remember the image of my family's old thatched house with mud walls, with nothing on all sides. When I was young, I often followed my mother to the fields to pick peanuts, corn, plant cassava, potatoes... Seeing the hardships of my parents and my neighbors, I felt even more love for my hometown.

The place where I grew up is Anh Son district (old) - a mountainous district located in the West of Nghe An province, the climate is quite harsh and people have to work very hard to have food and clothes. In the collaboration with musician and singer Phan Anh Vu with songs about the homeland and country such as "Song of three regions", "Noi long nguoi Ha Tinh", "Ve thoi xu Nghe que oi", An Duyen likes the song "Ve thoi xu Nghe que oi" the most. I want to express my feelings, there is a part of my childhood in it, at the same time I want to send my feelings to the children far away from home, no matter where they go, they always want to return to their homeland Nghe.

When singing songs about Nghe An, An Duyen feels like she is singing her heart out, with a part of her childhood in it. Photo: NVCC

PV: Loving singing since childhood and dreaming of standing on stage, how did An Duyen make that come true?

Singer An Duyen: 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 went to Vung Tau, worked for a social media company and for a while performed songs about my homeland on digital platforms. An Duyen received support from many audiences and fellow countrymen. Thanks to that, I had some funding to continue nurturing my dream of going to school.

Also coincidentally, during my time working on TikTok, I got to know Mr. Ha The Dung. After more than 1 year working at a company in Vung Tau, I went to Ho Chi Minh City to find Mr. Dung to study music, and was guided by him. When I decided to go to Hanoi to study art, it was Mr. Ha The Dung who introduced Ms. Dinh Trang to help and guide me.

There was a time when An Duyen thought that the gate of music school was really big and difficult to enter, but if she didn't try, she would probably regret it for the rest of her life. Thinking back to that time, An Duyen was very determined, and even thought that if she failed the exam, she would take it again next year. Luckily, the first time she took the exam to enter the Vietnam National Academy of Music, An Duyen achieved her wish to try her hand and study music systematically.

PV: Surely your parents and family are very supportive of An Duyen on her musical path?

Singer An Duyen: When I heard that I was admitted to 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 hope that my family will support me to pursue my passion." My parents loved me very much and at that time my father said: "Since you are so determined, even if I have to sell glue, I will let you go to school." I always believed that my efforts would be rewarded. And the path I took was really lucky because many people helped me. An Duyen believes that if I try hard every day, combined with determination and effort, all good things will come to me.

I also tried my hand at two competitions, “Sao Mai Xu Nghe”, where I entered the final round and the Hanoi Singing Competition, where I entered the semi-finals. I learned and gained experience through those two competitions, which will be my luggage for the future. Currently, I am in the process of training to nurture my dream of conquering the next music competitions.

PV: Thank you An Duyen! I wish you more success on the road ahead.

Source: https://baonghean.vn/ca-si-an-duyen-du-di-dau-cung-muon-ve-voi-xu-nghe-que-minh-10309599.html