Father and son, 'revolutionary music' and the age of 21.

Exactly 30 years after Trong Tan won first prize in the Hanoi Singing Contest, his son, Vu Tan Dat, was named the winner (second prize, chamber music style) at the Hanoi Singing Contest (organized by Hanoi Radio and Television Station), both at the age of 21.

As he progressed further into the finals of the Hanoi Singing Contest 2025, the son of the "king of revolutionary songs" received increasingly favorable media attention, which also meant he faced more pressure from being compared to his father's enormous legacy. This was especially true when Dat chose two of his father's signature songs: " My Homeland Has Never Been So Beautiful " and " The Dak Rong River in Spring ," and drew the first round of the competition...

Two contestants, two different mindsets.

Possessing a more "urban" and "eye-catching" appearance than his father, a dignified demeanor beyond his years, a naturally gifted voice, and having been mentored since childhood, Tan Dat seemed to have a heavier foundation than his father. However, overcoming his father's shadow was obviously never easy. Ultimately, Dat won second place, instead of first place as his father had won 30 years earlier. However, when Trong Tan first competed in the same competition, he only won the promising talent award.

Back then, Trọng Tấn, a young man from Thanh Hóa, had to struggle to compete in shows to earn money and pursue his studies. Now, his son, Tấn Đạt, competes simply out of passion, a desire to explore himself and define his musical path. At 21, the "singer father" entered the competition from a small, rented room on the 4th floor of the Conservatory dormitory; while the "singer son" came from a spacious 4-story villa built with the earnings of the top-rated "king of revolutionary music" and the skillful management of his mother. Back then, his father's competition outfits were all borrowed, but now his son's are meticulously prepared by his mother. Previously, his father's competition prize money was sent back home to help his mother support the younger siblings' education. Now, his son's prize money is invested in new projects...

Father and son duo of "revolutionary music" Trong Tan and Tan Dat

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE SUBJECT

Father and son duo of "revolutionary music" Trong Tan and Tan Dat

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE SUBJECT

Father and son duo of "revolutionary music" Trong Tan and Tan Dat

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE SUBJECT

On the other hand, being a "singer father" is less stressful than being a "singer son" because you're not constantly compared to your "family member." "Initially, I was a little nervous and anxious about being noticed by the media because I'm the son of a famous artist. But gradually, the pressure turned into motivation for me to try harder to prove myself and control my work better," Dat shared.

Shared roads

The decision to follow in his father Trong Tan's footsteps wasn't entirely in Dat's own preferences or taste. He loved pop and jazz, and only passively listened to his father's music at home and in the car when accompanying his father to performances with his mother and younger sibling. Dat studied many musical instruments before his father discovered his vocal talent, and from then on, the "tiger father" was determined to train his "tiger son." "Dat has a pretty good sense of rhythm and pitch. His voice has a wide vocal range and, especially, a richer, more resonant quality than mine, so he has all the qualities to become a great singer...", Trong Tan commented on his "successor."

"The 'chamber music gene' was passed down from father to son without him even realizing it, until one day Dat declared his determination to conquer the competition where Trong Tan once shone, also at the age of 21. "Although I still want to find and create my own more diverse path, first, I want to try to follow in the footsteps that my father has already left. Isn't it true that every young artist initially wants to learn from and be influenced by their predecessors, especially when that person is my father, whom I've always admired for his work ethic, meticulousness, and patience in nurturing his passion and dedicating himself completely to it?" Dat said.

This performance earned Vu Tan Dat second prize in the chamber music category at the Hanoi Singing Contest 2025.

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE SUBJECT

This performance earned Vu Tan Dat second prize in the chamber music category at the Hanoi Singing Contest 2025.

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE SUBJECT

This performance earned Vu Tan Dat second prize in the chamber music category at the Hanoi Singing Contest 2025.

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE SUBJECT

This performance earned Vu Tan Dat second prize in the chamber music category at the Hanoi Singing Contest 2025.

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE SUBJECT

"The younger generation is formidable," like many young artists today, Dat surpasses his father in versatility: not only can he sing, but he can also compose, record, and arrange music... The son of the "king of revolutionary music" therefore wants to try his hand at many roles and genres to bring youthful freshness to the auditorium.

Sharing childhood memories, Dat most fondly remembers the times his father "rode him like a horse" for him to ride; while Trong Tan remembers the times he walked a short distance with his son from home to the school's pick-up point. "It's just a short distance, but it wasn't easy to arrange it amidst my packed and almost year-round performance schedule. Suddenly, my son has grown up. And now, father and son are fortunate enough to walk a long distance together on this musical journey," singer Trong Tan emotionally shared on the sidelines of the competition where his son was announced as the winner.

The father and son duo, known for their revolutionary music, have had many viral videos on social media featuring Trọng Tấn, Tấn Đạt, and Thảo Nguyên (Tấn Đạt's younger sister, a talented zither player) playing instruments and singing together. "At first glance, it looks like they're just playing and singing for fun, but it's actually the result of over 10 years of music lessons for the two children, and more importantly, the sweet fruit of a loving home, supported by a devoted wife and mother who wholeheartedly cares for her husband and children's musical careers," he expressed.

Tấn Đạt's second-place win at the Hanoi Singing Contest 2025 helped the Conservatory student gain more recognition, leading to numerous invitations for collaborations between the father and son duo of "revolutionary music." "From practice sessions to now a professional stage, we can envision a family live concert someday," Trọng Tấn hopes.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/cha-con-nhac-do-va-tuoi-21-185251216215116453.htm