Hoang Dung on Xoay Tron and the courage of self-acceptance

This album does not focus on love, which is unusual for someone once known as the “prince of love songs”. Was that a deliberate choice or a natural evolution of your artistic approach?

Hoang Dung: I believe love has always been a rich source of inspiration for composers. Sometimes simply being in love spurs me to write, and heartbreak often makes it even easier (laughs). But then I ask myself: must I keep writing only about love? And does love have to be limited to romantic couples?

I choose to approach everything with tolerance and empathy. This means every experience, good or bad, becomes a blessing, contributing to personal growth. In that sense, love is everywhere. When I use love as a lens to examine life, I find inspiration flows naturally, and even ordinary moments become material for creativity.

Many of the songs on the album are inspired by everyday moments. So, for you, what makes an ordinary moment worthy of being written into music?

Hoang Dung: I think there are two factors. First, it is the simplicity that can hold beauty, even extraordinary things, within the smallest fragments of life. For example, in the poem I Grow Trees: throughout my adult life, I have lived away from home, rented places, and moved frequently. The idea of “home” has usually been just a temporary space. Yet when I see my relatives planting trees where I live, I feel a sense of attachment and care. The rented house transforms into a true home, a feeling I had never experienced before.

Second, a moment in everyday life has the power to connect like-minded people. Take Giu Anh Cho Ngay Hom Qua: moving forward does not mean denying the past. We cherish it as a gift. While it is not my own personal experience, it is a shared experience that everyone can relate to.

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In Conversations, he proposed to his lover in a playful way. So is music a space where he can live his true life freely, or a place where he conceals the things he cannot do in real life?

Hoang Dung: I want the audience to focus on my music rather than my personal life. Yet I do not hide that I experience the small joys and happinesses of being in love like anyone else. The recording in that track captures a real moment, happening naturally, not staged for the album.

I use that moment as a simple way to share a slice of life without being ostentatious. I do not exploit personal matters to attract attention, but music allows me to reveal a little of the most genuine things inside.

Perhaps listeners will find that dialogue slightly awkward or silly. That is exactly what excites me. I want the audience to sense the natural, awkward reality of love, far from the idealised portrayals found in films or books.

Was there any track on Xoay Tron that you considered removing from the album, but ultimately kept? What was the reason?

Hoang Dung: Fortunately, there were no songs I wanted to delete. However, many tracks evolved significantly from the first demo to the final version. For instance, Sam-Panh initially had a melancholic tone and a light tempo. I realised that style overlapped with many songs already on the market, so I adjusted the tempo and refined numerous details to make the track feel more distinctive.

I had planned to include exactly ten songs to mark ten years of my career, which seemed reasonable. But listening back, it felt insufficient, lacking a cohesive flow to tell a complete story. I wanted listeners to experience a connected journey, rather than a fragmented playlist. That is why I added a few more songs and made minor edits to complete the album. The process took longer, but the result was entirely worthwhile.

In the song Khong Quan Trong, you speak of two opposing sides within yourself. Is it easier for Hoang Dung to accept inner conflicts now than before?

Hoang Dung: I have learned to approach my inner conflicts with more gentleness. In the past, I tried to appear stable and rational externally, yet inside I wrestled with conflicting and confusing emotions. After many years of observing myself, I realised that only by facing negative emotions directly, rather than avoiding them, can I truly master my inner state.

Maturity, I believe, emerges naturally when we stop trying to fit into a fixed, perfect model. It comes when we dare to be authentic, without forcing ourselves to imitate others or conform to external expectations.

When you wrote Sao Gio Em Moi Toi as an “excuse” to the audience, were you poking fun at yourself, or was it a way to come to terms with the pressure on artists to release work consistently?

Hoang Dung: This song is my way of being honest about the pressures of composing. The stress of having to release music on schedule, when inspiration arrives late, can be overwhelming. Sometimes I try to “force” a song, but that only distances me from the true emotion, and I feel unable to connect with the music.

Those moments of frustration and helplessness became valuable experiences. I learned to confront them, rather than avoid or justify them. Facing pressure can spark inspiration and is often the starting point for sincerity in art. It helps me preserve genuine emotion, rather than merely following external cycles.

Giu Anh Cho Ngay Hom Qua is like a narrative painting. Looking back from Kevin Nguyen to Hoang Dung today, what moves you most?

Hoang Dung: When I watched the first draft of the MV, I was moved to tears. I still keep Kevin Nguyen’s old videos, but never imagined using them in a project. When director Paul Vi Minh asked if I had archival footage for a projector effect to show fragments of memory, I gathered each piece myself.

Those clips captured a very different version of me, from personality and appearance to the carefree spirit of youth. At that moment, I realised how far I had come: from someone who sang instinctively, to a creator capable of writing songs that speak honestly about myself and sharing them with the audience.

You once said that Giu Anh Cho Ngay Hom Qua was initially meant for your fans, but in the end, you wrote it for yourself. Is it true that Hoang Dung now seeks to understand himself more than please the majority?

Hoang Dung: I want both. Creators need a personal signature, but I also hope my work resonates. My process is like walking a tightrope, balancing every element—like seasoning a dish for the fullest flavour. I enjoy pleasing the audience, and since they appreciate me, I aim to offer creations that are personal yet relatable, rich and diverse.

The track Buc Tranh Va Canh Chim poses the question: should one be an admired symbol, or a free bird? What does Hoang Dung choose?

Hoang Dung: I am neither entirely a “painting” nor fully a “free bird”. While writing this song, I told myself to be patient and continue crafting my own journey. I have no pre-set path or special foundation, everything comes from my own effort with a little luck and support from those around me. I study successful models, but none has ever become my own blueprint.

If we speak of freedom, I have not fully attained it. Alongside the desire to soar, there are still realities to navigate. In the end, I choose to harmonise all elements, persistently building and growing my own way, trusting that patience will bring rewards.

You used to be known as a private person, rarely revealing much. But in this album, you share openly—writing for the age of 30, about loneliness and disorientation. What has made you more open? Inspiration comes from ABBA, Mona Lisa, even two street sweepers… is Hoang Dung someone who “feels” rather than “thinks”?

Hoang Dung: After ten years of working, I feel far more stable and confident. Before, I hesitated and overthought, worried that what I revealed might be misunderstood or judged. But my experiences have given me courage and inner strength, helping me understand myself and learn to be more open, without being overly concerned about public opinion. Observing life long enough, I realised that sharing personal moments is no longer daunting.

I am an emotional person, but it is this capacity to feel that allows me to touch life. Both big and small things can move me, and that is what I aim to convey through each song.

Does your musical maturity lie in his technique, his commitment to life, or his acceptance that he may not be perfect?

Hoang Dung: I think the key is self-acceptance. Technique, life experience, and passion for music all begin with understanding and being kind to yourself. When you look at yourself with compassion, your shortcomings no longer torment you and they become opportunities to improve. That mindset provides both motivation and a foundation for all other aspects of music and life.

You were worried your audience wouldn’t embrace your new direction. Does that reflect a fear of being left behind, or a deep desire to connect emotionally with listeners?

Hoang Dung: Both, actually. The fear of being left behind is real, especially when you have so much in life that you value and cherish. Years ago, I had nothing to lose and felt fearless. Now, with so many precious things, I want to protect them with all my heart.

Fear also stems from appreciation for what I have built. It reflects love and gratitude for the audience, guiding me to live authentically and nurture sincere connections through each musical work.

If you could send a message to Hoang Dung “yesterday”, what would you say? And what do you think Hoang Dung of the future would thank you for today?

Hoang Dung: I would thank him for his perseverance in overcoming challenges and not giving up when faced with difficulties. I would remind him to take care of his health and approach his work seriously, as that forms the foundation for a long journey.

I believe Hoang Dung of the future will be grateful for today’s version of himself, thankful for not stopping, for striving each day, and daring to believe in something greater. What I overcome today will become beautiful memories, the most valuable luggage for tomorrow.

Article published from the original in Tatler Vietnam, August 2025 issue

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