Disillusioned with being a singer, fate led Tran Thanh Hung to become a radio MC

Before working for nearly two decades as a radio MC at Ho Chi Minh City People's Radio Station (VOH), Tran Thanh Hung had his "dream" of becoming a singer broken.

On the morning of November 15, at the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Creative Entrepreneurship (SIHUB), May Thong Dong Culture and Communication Company Limited and journalist - radio host of VOH (now Ho Chi Minh City Radio and Television Station) Tran Thanh Hung held a book launch event Journey under the waves - nearly two decades in the radio profession , with emotional sharing, recalling many sounds of the studio and the spirit of "living with the waves" of the author and colleagues at VOH.

Radio host Tran Thanh Hung

Photo: NVCC

Recalling the years when he was "wet behind the ears" in the profession, Tran Thanh Hung still clearly remembers each article that was edited in bright red... "Before coming to radio, I graduated from university, majoring in sociology and never thought that I would become a journalist. After graduating, while waiting for a job, with my existing strengths, I sang at the Anh Trang tea room in Phu Nhuan District (old). Occasionally, the show organizers saw that I had a talent for speaking in front of a crowd, so they asked me to host the program. Luckily, the profession treated me well, and my voice was also attractive, so the audience accepted me...".

MC Thanh Hung continued: "At this time, VOH was auditioning for radio broadcasting, so a friend invited me to register for fun. Because I didn't prepare in advance, the song "Alone" that I performed was rejected. So sad, after the audition night, I approached the station's judge and asked: "Brother, are you recruiting any staff in the near future?" Unexpectedly, he said: "You should fill out an application for the MC audition, there are only 3 days left until the deadline." So, I went home and filled out an application to send in for the audition, and... was accepted to work at VOH right away."

Journey Beneath the Waves ... as a vivid, practical guide

Thanks to failing the singing exam, Tran Thanh Hung was able to become a radio MC at VOH. In 2009, he officially joined the News Department, starting with the live consulting program Hello, We Listen, broadcast at 10pm on Saturdays - one of the hottest programs at that time. With the news section, journalist Thanh Hung was constantly present at the scene from storms, major trials to long business trips at the forefront of the ocean.

Interesting stories about the radio MC profession and behind the scenes are revealed, making viewers excited.

Photo: QUYNH TRAN

In the book, he vividly recounts the "radio" and dramatic behind-the-scenes details of the profession, such as the story of the tape recorder battery running out right before the leader's speech or the conference security "checking" the bulky cassette player because they thought it was a suspicious "item"...

The trip to Truong Sa in 2013, the journey on the hospital ship HQ - 561 in the middle of the stormy sea season, the constant seasickness, the Gac Ma memorial ceremony in the calm dawn, the moment of setting foot on Sinh Ton - Co Lin - Len Dao islands, watching the square-shaped flowers blooming at night... are recounted by the author in quite detail. Between the seascape and the people, he emphasizes the spirit of "the island is home, the ocean is homeland", the military-civilian bond, the meaning of clean energy, the bookcases, the classrooms on the island - evidence that Truong Sa is not only strong in defense, but also persistently builds life.

The book also has many pages of diaries and professions, taking readers from the VOH studio to business trips to Dien Bien, Ca Mau ... where each trip is an "outdoor studio" recording voices, sounds, and emotions. Therefore, the book is also a "practical handbook" for journalism and communication students, podcasters, and those who love the voice of radio.

To have Journey Under the Waves - Nearly Two Decades in the Radio Profession (published by Dan Tri Publishing House), Tran Thanh Hung had to write and take care of it for 3 years. "The latest news up to August 2025 is fully updated in the book," he shared.

In addition to the memoir section, Journey Under the Waves ... also provides a specific approach to the profession of radio broadcasting - program hosting - journalism: choosing topics; structuring a live program; principles of conversation with listeners; how to maintain voice energy; the method of "telling stories with sound"; how to cooperate with experts - guests; how to behave on air when encountering problems... from the practical experience of a professional, who has had conversations with 500 guests during nearly 20 years under the radio waves of Tran Thanh Hung.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/vo-mong-ca-si-dinh-menh-dua-tran-thanh-hung-lam-mc-phat-thanh-185251115145706153.htm