Tung Duong’s voice celebrated at the MAJ 2025 International Special Award

The MAJ 2025 judging process is grounded in transparent data from established charts such as Oricon, Billboard Japan, GfK/NIQ Japan, Luminate, USEN, and JASRAC. Eligible works must have been released between 29 January 2024 and 26 January 2025. Several categories, such as the Best of Listeners’ Choice, are determined entirely by public votes via platforms like Spotify.

The International Special Award was established through a cultural partnership between CEIPA and music award organisations from six countries: China, Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam. In Vietnam, this collaboration is facilitated through the Dedication Awards, also organised by The Thao & Van Hoa.

On 5 March 2025, Mr Taro Kumabe, Executive Director of the MAJ 2025 Committee, attended the Dedication Awards in Hanoi. Under the current agreement, Vietnamese organisers will, in turn, honour Japanese artists at the 2026 ceremony in Vietnam, a symbolic exchange reflecting growing musical ties in Asia.

Read more: K-Pop acts that took over Coachella through the years

To kick off the collaboration, the Organising Committee of Music Awards Japan 2025 (MAJ 2025) and the Organising Committee of the Dedication Music Awards 2025, hosted by The Thao & Van Hoa (Sports and Culture Newspaper) under the Vietnam News Agency, have reached a full consensus on the selection of singer Tung Duong as the inaugural recipient of the International Special Award. According to both committees, Tung Duong’s musical journey and artistic vision closely align with the spirit of the MAJ 2025 Awards at this time. Given his influence, distinguished trajectory and array of accolades, it was jointly agreed that Tung Duong would be honoured as the first Vietnamese artist to receive this distinction. MAJ 2025 also officially acknowledged his recent “Song of the Year” award at the Devotion Music Awards 2025, praising the song as a standout piece with significant cultural resonance, chosen for its proven achievements and artistic merit within Vietnam’s vibrant music scene.

Earlier, MAJ 2025 had announced a strategic partnership with the Dedication Awards of the Sports and Culture Newspaper (Vietnam News Agency). Under this collaboration, the Dedication Awards committee now serves as a voting body and will annually coordinate with CEIPA to nominate a Vietnamese artist for the International Special Award at the Japan Music Awards. And this year, Tung Duong proudly becomes the first artist from Vietnam to inaugurate this honour.

Tung Duong’s recognition by MAJ 2025 with the International Special Award is well deserved. In Vietnam’s music landscape, few artists embody the resilience, drive and evolution of an “ultra athlete” quite like him, constantly pushing boundaries and surpassing his own expectations. Over more than two decades of dedication, Tung Duong has cemented his reputation not only as an exceptional vocalist but also as a figurehead of innovation and enduring influence in Vietnamese music.

Having begun his career in the late 1990s, Tung Duong, then a spirited young performer, quickly drew attention for his emotive voice and distinctive stage presence. He did not chase quick fame; instead, he chose to build his craft steadily, refining his abilities and confronting each challenge with quiet persistence.

For more than twenty years, Tung Duong has consistently sought out new directions with each album and project. Whether exploring pop, rock, jazz, world music or modern interpretations of folk traditions, he has never shied away from experimenting. His continual reinvention has kept his work fresh, never formulaic, always brimming with curiosity and creative momentum.

A key to his sustained artistic stamina lies in his ability to merge traditional and contemporary elements. He often revitalises classic songs with a modern touch, crafting a unique sound that honours heritage while speaking to the present.

Beyond his own work, Tung Duong has served as an inspiration to a new wave of Vietnamese artists. His fearless approach, and his willingness to embrace change and challenge, has carved a path for others to follow. His albums are regularly praised for their artistic depth, conceptual boldness and emotional intelligence.

Tung Duong’s career is marked by a long list of accolades, underscoring both his talent and his commitment. Notably, he holds the record for the most Dedication Music Awards, with 14 wins, presented by the Sports and Culture Newspaper. These awards recognise artists whose creativity contributes meaningfully to the richness and evolution of popular music. His consistent recognition in key categories such as “Male Singer of the Year”, “Album of the Year” and “Programme of the Year” only reinforces his position as a pillar of Vietnamese musical life admired by critics and audiences alike.

The male singer was visibly moved upon receiving the announcement from MAJ:

“I am deeply touched and immensely proud to be in Kyoto, the ancient heart of the land of the rising sun, to receive the International Special Award at the Music Awards Japan 2025, held from 21 to 22 May. This is not only a great honour for me personally, but also a moment of pride for Vietnamese music, and for the artists who continue to preserve and share our cultural heritage with the world.”

“In more than two decades on this artistic path, I have encountered no shortage of challenges, some of which seemed impossible to overcome. Yet, it has been my enduring love for music, my devotion to my homeland, and the unwavering encouragement of the audience, my peers and family that have fuelled my creativity, driven my spirit of innovation, and kept me steady on my own personal ‘race track’.”

“I wish to extend my heartfelt thanks to the MAJ 2025 Organising Committee for creating such a vibrant platform where diverse cultural values are celebrated. I am especially grateful to the Dedication Awards of the Sports and Culture Newspaper, a prestigious accolade that has championed, inspired, and provided a launchpad not only for me but for many fellow Vietnamese artists throughout our creative journeys. Those Dedication Cups are far more than trophies; they are a source of pride and a continuous reminder to dare, to dream and to give wholeheartedly to art.”

“I believe music is the shared language of humanity, a bridge between cultures, a place where hearts can meet, connect and understand one another. It brings me joy to play a small role in bringing Vietnamese music to a wider global audience, allowing melodies and lyrics imbued with our national identity to find resonance on international stages, touching the hearts of those unfamiliar with our homeland.”

“This award is not merely recognition for me alone, but for all Vietnamese artists who are tirelessly working to preserve, reinterpret and evolve our traditional music. With this honour, I hope Vietnamese music continues to reach new corners of the world. And I trust that many more young artists will step forward with confidence, carrying with them the dreams and cultural spirit of our nation.”

NOW READ

The lightstick story and communication strategy of “trend king” G-Dragon

Holy performances: 10 actors who’ve played the Pope with flair

VPBank taps G-Dragon to reinvent its image, while Taylor Swift shows the global trend