Singer Tung Duong receives Japan's biggest international music award.

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Accordingly, the MAJ 2025 organizing committee has sent a notification to Tung Duong, and the singer of "Rebirth" has confirmed that he will be attending the awards ceremony in Japan on May 21-22 at the ROHM Kyoto Theater, at the invitation of the organizing committee. The awards ceremony will honor Japanese and international music artists in 60 award categories and will be broadcast live on Japan's national television station NHK.

This is a significant milestone not only for Tung Duong personally but also a source of pride for Vietnamese music on the international music map.

From the launching pad of "Contribution to Music"

Marking its 20th anniversary, the Dedication Music Awards of the Sports and Culture Newspaper (Vietnam News Agency - VNA) has expanded its reach to the continent through a collaboration with the Music Awards Japan. This award is organized and operated by the Culture & Entertainment Industries Promotion Association (CEIPA) of Japan. (CEIPA is an association formed by five major organizations in the Japanese music industry – including record companies, artist management companies, music publishers, and concert organizers).

The 2025 Music Awards Japan ceremony was broadcast live on NHK and streamed globally via YouTube. The judging panel comprised over 5,000 music industry professionals, including artists, producers, record label staff, critics, journalists, publishers, and international judges.

In March 2025, the organizers of the Japan Music Awards invited two Vietnamese journalists, Le Xuan Thanh and Hoang Thu Hang, representing the Sports and Culture newspaper, to vote in six award categories: Song of the Year; Album of the Year; Artist of the Year; New Artist of the Year; Top Global Hit from Japan; and Best Song Asia.

The criteria for the MAJ 2025 awards are based on objective data from major charts such as Oricon, Billboard Japan, GfK/NIQ Japan, Luminate, USEN, JASRAC, etc. Works/artists must have released their products between January 29, 2024, and January 26, 2025, to be eligible for consideration. Some special categories (e.g., Best of Listeners' Choice) are decided entirely by public voting via Spotify.

The voting process consists of three stages: Stage 1 – The system automatically compiles a list of nominees based on objective data; Stage 2 – A panel of industry experts selects a maximum of five nominees for each category; Stage 3 – The international panel and voting members select the final winner. For categories voted on by the public, the results are based entirely on audience votes.

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MAJ 2025 schedule.

The International Special Awards are a category established through a collaboration between CEIPA and music award organizations from six countries: China, South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. In Vietnam, as previously announced, MAJ has decided to collaborate with the Dedication Awards Committee of the Sports and Culture Newspaper. On March 5, 2025, Mr. Taro Kumube, Executive Director of the Japan Music Awards Committee 2025, also attended the Dedication Awards Ceremony 2025 in Hanoi . According to the cooperation agreement, in 2026, the Dedication Awards will also honor Japanese artists on the awards stage in Vietnam.

To kick off the collaboration, the Organizing Committee of the Music Awards Japan 2025 (MAJ 2025) and the Organizing Committee of the Dedication Music Awards 2025 of the Sports and Culture Newspaper have unanimously decided to select and honor singer Tung Duong in the International Special Awards category for the first time. According to both sides, Tung Duong's musical path and direction are closest to the criteria of the MAJ 2025 Awards at the present time. Based on his achievements, influence, and the series of awards he has received to date, both sides have decided to select and honor Tung Duong as the first Vietnamese artist to receive the International Special Awards. In addition, the BTC Music Awards Japan 2025 (MAJ 2025) also recognized Tung Duong's "Song of the Year" award at the 2025 Dedication Music Awards. This award honors his song as a representative work with a significant influence on popular music, selected based on its proven achievements and artistic value domestically.

Previously, MAJ 2025 established a partnership with the Dedication Award of the Sports and Culture Newspaper. Through this collaboration, the Dedication Award organizing committee participates as a voting member and, annually, collaborates with CEIPA to nominate a Vietnamese artist for CEIPA to award the International Special Awards at the Japan Music Awards. This year, Tung Duong is the first Vietnamese artist to "open" this award.

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"Ultra athletes" on the music race track.

Tung Duong's Special International Award at the MAJ 2025 is entirely deserved, because in the Vietnamese music scene, few artists can be likened to an "ultra athlete"—someone persistent, resilient, and constantly pushing their own limits—like singer Tung Duong. Over two decades of artistic activity, Tung Duong has proven himself not only to be an outstanding vocalist but also an icon of creativity, innovation, and profound influence in Vietnamese music.

Beginning his career in the late 1990s as a passionate young man, Tung Duong quickly made a strong impression with his powerful, emotional voice and unique performance style. He didn't choose the "rush" path, but instead persistently trained and developed himself day by day, enduring all challenges.

For over 20 years, Tung Duong has proactively reinvented himself through each project and album. He is not afraid to try his hand at many different genres: from pop, rock, jazz, world music… to contemporary folk music. This constant self-renewal helps him avoid repetition and boredom, and always maintain curiosity and enthusiasm in his creative work.

To maintain his energy on the long "race," Tung Duong always focuses on training and maintaining his health, especially the health of his voice – the most important "tool" of a singer. Thanks to this, even with continuous performances, he maintains a stable performance and high-quality shows. In particular, Tung Duong always maintains a spirit of learning and is open to collaboration with many young musicians, artists, and producers both domestically and internationally, thereby absorbing new ideas and enriching his life experiences and artistic horizons.

Tung Duong doesn't chase quantity but carefully selects his projects, albums, and live shows. Each musical product is meticulously invested in terms of concept, arrangement, and stage design, creating a unique mark and artistic depth. This has helped him build a sustainable personal brand and reputation among both the public and music professionals.

One of the secrets to Tung Duong's enduring popularity is his ability to connect traditional and modern music. He constantly reinvents timeless songs with a contemporary feel, creating a unique fusion that both preserves his identity and keeps up with contemporary trends.

Tung Duong has also inspired many generations of young artists. He always dares to think, dares to act, and is not afraid to challenge new limits in music. His albums and musical projects are often highly praised for their artistic merit, depth, and groundbreaking nature.

Besides his artistic activities, Tung Duong actively participates in community programs and music education, contributing to raising awareness and love for music in society. He is a role model of an artist who not only shines on stage but also has a responsibility to the community and national culture.

One of the clearest proofs of Tung Duong's talent and dedication is the impressive list of awards he has received throughout his career. In particular, Tung Duong currently holds the record for the most Cong Hien Music Awards (14 times) – the most prestigious award in Vietnamese music, organized by the Sports and Culture newspaper – given to musical works and artists who "make discoveries and creative contributions to the richness and development of popular music." His continuous recognition in many important categories such as "Male Singer of the Year," "Album of the Year," and "Program of the Year" has affirmed Tung Duong's irreplaceable position in the hearts of music professionals and the public.

Many Vietnamese artists will bring Vietnamese identity to the world.

The male singer emotionally shared upon receiving the notification from MAJ: “I am extremely moved and proud to be in Kyoto – an ancient city in the land of the rising sun – to receive the International Special Award at the Music Awards Japan 2025 on May 21-22. This is not only a great honor for me personally, but also a source of pride for Vietnamese music and for artists who always strive to preserve and spread the values of our national culture to the world.”

Over twenty years on my artistic journey, I've faced countless challenges, some seemingly insurmountable. But it was my love for music, my love for my homeland, and the encouragement of my audience, colleagues, and family that gave me the strength to constantly create, innovate, and persevere on my own "race."

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the MAJ 2025 Organizing Committee for creating a vibrant artistic space where all cultural values are celebrated. In particular, I want to express my sincere appreciation to the Dedication Award of the Sports and Culture Newspaper – a prestigious award that has accompanied, recognized, inspired, and served as a launching pad for me and many Vietnamese artists throughout our creative journey. These Dedication Awards are not only a source of pride but also a motivation for me to continuously strive, innovate, and dedicate myself wholeheartedly to art.

I believe that music is the universal language of humanity, a bridge between cultures, a place where all hearts can meet, share, and empathize. I am happy to contribute a small part to the journey of bringing Vietnamese music closer to international friends, so that melodies and lyrics imbued with Vietnamese identity can resonate on big stages, touching the hearts of those who have never known my country.

This award is a recognition not only for me, but also for all Vietnamese artists who are tirelessly creating, preserving, and innovating traditional music. I hope that with this award, Vietnamese music will become more widely known. And I believe that more young artists will confidently reach out to the world, carrying with them the aspirations and identity of their nation.”

Here are some impressive statistics for Tung Duong:

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