On social media platforms, simply typing keywords related to this year's Tet music brings up a plethora of videos with titles like "So boring to listen to," "Outdated Tet music," and "I want to turn it off as soon as I turn it on," all garnering a significant amount of interaction.
When Tet music is called a "disaster"
Several songs, such as "Look, Tet is Coming" performed by Thanh Thao and "Tet is Home, Home is Tet" by Ung Hoang Phuc, have become the focus of discussion. Many listeners frankly commented that these songs resemble Tet music from decades ago: familiar melodies that are easily predictable, simple harmonies, one-sided lyrics, a lack of climax, and no lasting impression.
Nostalgia, if any, isn't subtle enough to become genuine emotion, but rather just a repetition of overly familiar imagery. "It feels like the singers and the spring songs are stuck in the 2000s," "They were all stars of the previous generation, and what they did was right during their peak. The problem now, these things are just nostalgia," "The audience has changed, but the singers stubbornly refuse to change their mindset,"… these are some of the audience's comments on these rather old spring songs.
In fact, many people consider these spring songs to be "disastrous." While the word "disastrous" is quite harsh for these works, it's clear that these songs are somewhat outdated compared to the current pace of development.
According to insiders, if Ung Hoang Phuc and Thanh Thao truly want to win over the mainstream audience, they should seek out successful hit-makers in the current Tet music scene such as Bui Cong Nam or Ho Phi Nal. These names guarantee songs that are both viral and modern, yet still retain a charming and relatable quality.
Collaborating with young musicians who understand today's audience tastes would be a wiser move than trying to release homemade products that don't live up to expectations in terms of quality.
What's more worrying is the evident "production rush" in many products. Tet music seems to be treated as a safe formula: folk songs mixed with bolero, banh chung (traditional rice cake), apricot blossoms, ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress), and radiant smiles in front of the camera are enough. This complacency has led to many songs being rejected shortly after their release.
The reality is that Tet music is no longer just a playground for artists to "have fun." It's a real battle of production mindset and the ability to grasp trends.
Young artists are constantly experimenting, combining folk elements with trending genres like pop, R&B, and rap/hip hop to create catchy melodies. Meanwhile, the struggles of Ung Hoang Phuc and Thanh Thao confirm that if they don't adapt to market demands, failure is inevitable.
While it's undeniable that both singers still receive attention from a certain segment of the audience, that support stems primarily from nostalgic value rather than the actual quality of their work. Their lack of sensitivity to contemporary trends has caused these two veteran artists to become outsiders even during the most vibrant holiday season of the year.
It's important to emphasize that the problem with this year's Tet music doesn't lie in the use of traditional elements. The melodies of spring from the past live on in the memories of many generations precisely because they possess emotional depth and meticulous composition. What's causing audiences to turn away is that many new songs merely copy the superficial spirit, lacking the necessary creativity and inner appeal.
Images from Truc Nhan's song "May all your wishes come true." (Photo provided by the artist)
Highlights of spring music
In a changing society, Tet (Lunar New Year) is no longer just about pure joy. It also encompasses the pressures of making a living, worries about food and clothing, hurried trips back home, and even celebrating Tet away from home. When Tet music continues to revolve around perfect, rigidly "framed" images, a disconnect from real life is inevitable.
Amidst this somewhat somber picture, this year's Lunar New Year music season still features a number of songs that are highly regarded for both their content and emotional impact. These works don't try to create a festive atmosphere at all costs, but instead choose to tell stories in a gentle, relatable way, touching the very real emotions of listeners.
The recently released song "Celebrate Tet in Style" by singer Hoang Hai has left a strong impression on audiences thanks to its cheerful melody, relatable lyrics, and engaging vocals.
The song "Praying for Good Fortune in Tet" performed by a group of singers has gone viral on social media. The song, which expresses prayers for good luck and peace during Tet, features a cheerful melody and meaningful wishes, focusing on themes of family reunion and prosperity at the beginning of the year. Instead of chasing trends or trying to create a festive atmosphere at all costs, the song chooses a gentle storytelling approach, focusing on the emotions of reunion and gratitude for simple things.
It is this simplicity and sincerity that allows the song to be shared naturally on YouTube and other digital platforms, not because of controversy, but because of empathy. This shows that the audience has not turned their backs on Tet music; they are simply looking for products that accurately reflect the spirit of life today.
According to YouNet Media, among the top 10 most popular Tet (Lunar New Year) music videos, 8 out of 10 are collaborations between artists and brands. This approach is an effective marketing strategy, integrating brand storytelling into music .
Leading the way this Lunar New Year season is "Continuing the Story of Gratitude" by Nguyen Van Chung, performed by singer Vo Ha Tram. The music video has attracted over 389,000 discussions and more than 1 million interactions on social media.
Coming in second place is "Van Su Nhu Y" by Truc Nhan. The song garnered attention thanks to its lively melody, catchy choreography, and positive message for the new year. The inclusion of many familiar artists popular with young people helped the music video quickly spread, achieving over 42,510 interactions.
In addition, songs like "Tet Plus Smiles" (a collaboration between Mono and People's Artist Bach Tuyet), "Spring Cat" by Khuyen Duong (compiling social media hot trends of 2025), and "Stepping Towards a New Tet" by Quang Hung MasterD (offering a youthful, modern perspective from Generation Z), "Big Job" by Den Vau, and "Abroad" by Phan Dinh Tung... are all noteworthy songs.
In the digital age, every product is scrutinized, and projects/works that are done carelessly will pay the price with audience indifference. It's time for Tet music to receive more serious investment – from composition and arrangement to storytelling. Innovation doesn't mean losing tradition, but rather making tradition vibrant and relevant to modern life.
Tet music in 2026 will see a shift in storytelling. Instead of focusing solely on family reunions, many music videos will expand their themes to include gratitude, generational connection, or redefining the value of Tet in modern life.
Today's listeners not only want a song to "listen to for the Lunar New Year," but also want to find empathy and their own stories in the music.
Tet is not only about the joy of family reunions, but also about nostalgia, separation, the pressures of making a living, and moments of quiet reflection that are very much part of life.
Source: https://nld.com.vn/nong-nhac-tet-binh-ngo-19626020621355351.htm
Comment (0)