(S) TRONG Trong Hieu & a unique position

Possessing a bright appearance, a distinctive warm voice, superb dance skills, and a modern performance style, 10 years ago, the Vietnamese music market was severely lacking a male singer who embodied all these qualities. Winning Vietnam Idol 2015, possessing all the qualities to become a star at that time, why did it take Trọng Hiếu a full 10 years to find the "key" to unlock his "treasure"?

The song "Treasure" is arguably the biggest hit for (S)TRONG Trong Hieu so far, marking a significant milestone in his career. What have you been doing over the past 10 years to find this "treasure"?

After Vietnam Idol 2015 , I made music based on my interests and my own personality. I experimented with many different genres and styles. Along the way, many of my works were well-received, while others weren't. But that journey was truly necessary, helping me discover what I truly like and what I'm good at.

After participating in the "Brothers Overcoming Thousands of Obstacles" program in 2024, I gained many new friends and had more opportunities to interact and socialize. Thanks to this program and those connections, I had the chance to better understand Vietnamese culture, language, customs, and people. This has been the foundation for me to be more confident in making music.

Furthermore, this 10-year journey has also helped me understand more about "Vietnam" within myself, so that I can connect more closely with the audience and create music that touches their hearts more deeply. I believe I always have a unique place in Vietnamese music, a distinct position. Looking back on the past 10 years, I have no regrets. I needed those 10 years, with all the experiences, events, and ups and downs, to become the Trong Hieu of today.

What does "Vietnam" mean to you?

The first three words that came to mind were: heart, love, and homeland. People often say that understanding leads to love. Now that I understand my homeland better, Vietnam in my heart is love.

There are little things in everyday life that I now understand and appreciate more. For example, I really enjoy riding motorbikes, and now I understand why motorbikes are so closely associated with the Vietnamese people, and why riding together on a motorbike is considered so romantic for us Vietnamese.

During a period when I was feeling a bit down, I would often hop on my motorbike and literally ride towards the sun, without looking at a map or choosing a destination beforehand, just going wherever I wanted. If I saw an interesting cafe, I would stop and sit down, watching people go by and listening to their conversations. Sometimes I would stop at a roadside eatery, eating and chatting with the owner. Once, I even rode my motorbike across the Binh Khanh ferry to Can Gio, just to watch the fishermen.

Those moments shaped the "Vietnam" within me.

Growing up in Germany – a place that values ​​individualism, freedom, and liberality – and then returning to Vietnam, facing the rigid frameworks of V-pop, you've undoubtedly struggled many times over the past 10 years to assert your individuality and find a way to reconcile it within the Vietnamese music market. To become a star, is being "different" an advantage or a barrier?

For me, everything has two sides. For a long time, I wondered where I belonged between the two cultures. But now I realize I'm the best version of both. The "differences" I once worried about are actually strengths that I'm fortunate to possess.

In the song "Dare to be Different," which I performed at the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest finals in Germany and won third place overall, I conveyed the message: Be confident to be different, be confident in yourself. I understand that being different can sometimes make us feel lonely. But even if that feels, it's okay. Use it as motivation to become stronger and more confident. And remember, love and affection are always around us. Just believe in your own uniqueness.

"The Treasure" also marks a dramatic transformation for (S)TRONG. If an artist defines music as themselves, then what does the "The Treasure" EP define for (S)TRONG in 2025?

(S)TRONG in 2025 will be a more subdued, more attentive, and more self-aware person. My music is simply who I am, with many facets of my personality, and each facet truly reflects who I am. Previously, I expressed more outwardly my exuberance, energy, and strength. But now, after a long journey, I am confident enough to express even the deepest, most introspective parts of myself.

Recalling the moment he met and danced for Britney Spears, did the shy 10-year-old Trong Hieu always know he had to become a star?

Ever since I was little, I've always believed that one day I would sing on a big stage in front of thousands of people. I often organized my own "concerts" in my family's living room, imagining the round rug under my feet as the stage, and my family and friends watching as the thousands of spectators.

My childhood dream wasn't to become a "star," but simply to sing, dance, and connect with many people.

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After participating in "Brotherhood Overcoming Obstacles" and "Haha Family ," (S)TRONG gained a large number of fans. " Brotherhood Overcoming Obstacles" gave you more opportunities to showcase your professional skills. "Haha Family" allowed viewers to see a different side of you offstage that they rarely get to see. What did you find in these two reality shows?

In Haha Family , I found and felt a simple warmth and love, a strong bond between everyone, and I just enjoyed it. I love the atmosphere that the show, the crew, and the artists created, and the affection everyone showed each other. I see everyone as family – and I am a member of it – so I can naturally express myself without worrying about the cameras.

In "Brotherhood Overcoming a Thousand Obstacles ," the audience can also see my journey of gradually opening up to those around me. It's a truly emotional journey for me – from being shy to comfortably expressing myself and bonding like brothers with the other 32 artists.

(S)TRONG Trong Hieu in the concert " Brother Overcoming a Thousand Obstacles" in September 2025

Following the "Between the Stars" live show on October 18th, many social media posts and comments expressed surprise at (S)TRONG's consistently stable live singing ability throughout, despite expending a lot of energy on continuously dancing and singing, even jumping rope and performing strenuous movements in some performances. How did you train?

I don't wait until a live show to practice. I train my physical fitness and vocals every day. Since I was a boy, my father has always encouraged and guided me to do sports and combine daily activities with singing and physical training. He would often say: "Walk or run while you practice singing." Even on snowy days, he would encourage me to walk to school and practice my vocals along the way.

This has been going on for almost 30 years now and has become a habit, a way of life for me. Now, no matter how busy I am, I practice my singing every day and make time for physical activity like jogging, swimming, and playing sports.

The live show "Amidst the Stars" received positive reviews from both critics and audiences.

In addition, I pay close attention to my food and daily diet. I always try to eat enough portions and get sufficient nutrients. For example, I always eat plenty of green vegetables, ensure I get enough plant-based and animal-based protein, eat fruit, and especially drink enough water. I usually drink 3-4 liters of water a day. If I'm very active, exercise a lot, or dance a lot, I may need to drink even more water.

Right before the live show, I was quite ill, but I still maintained my exercise routine and diet, and paid more attention to getting enough sleep. Luckily, I recovered in time to give my all for the live show.

(S)TRONG Trong Hieu and Cuong Seven's live performance combining singing and jumping rope in the " 12:03" segment at the " Amidst the Stars" live show.

With such intense training, what do you do to take care of your mental health?

I travel to learn and experience new things. Sometimes I also travel alone so I can do the things I like in my own way.

Additionally, I choose to be close to nature, take time to reflect on myself and my problems, and meditate each day. I also make it a habit to express gratitude for things I'm thankful for during the day before going to bed. It could be an event, a person, or a moment that happened during the day.

I prioritize living and enjoying each moment of the present. I cherish every second I get to do the things I love and be with the people I love.

What (S)TRONG just shared reminds me of The Little Prince , a book I love very much. Is there any other book that you also love and would like to recommend to readers of Thanh Nien Newspaper ?

That book, *The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People* by Stephen Covey (published in Vietnam as *7 Effective Habits *), accompanied me throughout my time studying music in Germany.

There's a story I'll never forget: On the subway, there was a family consisting of a father and three children. The three children were very noisy, disturbing those around them. Meanwhile, the father was focused on reading a book and made no attempt to stop them. The first impression and thought of those around them was that the father was indifferent, uncaring about his children and the shared space. But when asked, the father explained that they had just returned from the hospital where the children's mother had passed away about an hour earlier, and he himself didn't know what to think or say.

I realize that sometimes we feel entitled to judge or criticize others, but remember that everyone has a story behind them. The book is written in a relatable and easy-to-understand style, and it opened my eyes to many new perspectives.

Participating in the Dak Lak leg of " Haha Family" , (S)TRONG Trong Hieu received even more affection from the audience.

The songs on the EP "Treasure" often talk about love and things bigger than love. For you personally, what is bigger than love?

The EP "Treasure" is truly an EP that speaks of love and things even greater than love. The love in " Treasure" isn't just romantic love; it also includes love for family, friends, and humanity in general. And for me, something greater than love is the connection between hearts and souls, to understand, love, and genuinely bond with one another.

In your recently released EP, you express gratitude more than twice: "Thank you for being by my side/So that peace can still gently prevail" (Paper Airplane) and "Thank you for meeting each other/This life feels like finding a treasure" (Treasure) . So, at this very moment, who are you thanking, and for what?

I want to thank everyone who has been with me on this journey over the past 10 years. I want to thank all the people I've met in my life. Each person has given me lessons, experiences, and unique imprints – shaping me into the person I am today.

Performed by: Phuong An

Graphics: Duy Quang

Thanhnien.vn

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/strong-trong-hieu-mot-cho-dung-rieng-185251101202129834.htm