More than just an album name, Timeless seems to be the artistic declaration of Tung Duong - a voice that is constantly reborn in music, turning every challenge of time into material to enrich his own identity.

Tung Duong’s release of his new album “Timeless - The Voice Vol. 1” in vinyl format seems to be an oddity in the digital age – where audiences can access a singer’s entire career with just a few clicks. But looking back at the beginning of his career, has Tung Duong ever chosen a smooth, easy path?

The singer who was once rejected by show organizers at tea rooms despite his voice but “singing like he was possessed”, “not knowing whether it was popular pop songs or Chinese songs with Vietnamese lyrics” is now over 40 years old, more mature in both his voice and approach to music. Between the two versions of Tung Duong, there is still a common point: “the obsession of an artist”.

It is this obsession with "the urge to always seek new things, different things, to open up space and recognize one's own limits to discover the unprecedented" that has created Tung Duong's brand.

Talking to Travellive during the rush to prepare for the album release interspersed with a packed tour schedule, Tung Duong still appeared full of energy. He admitted that this is a common feeling when completing a project: “Instead of seeing myself at the finish line, I feel like I am still standing at the starting line. My creative energy and musical inspiration come from life, from real to dreamy stories, people and nature, all things in the universe and especially from my own inner turmoil.”

“Just like that, I went on a long and wide road, and my energy was so overflowing that before I finished this project, I already had the urge to rush into other things (laughs). I am a determined person, once I do something, I do it to the end. I always want the audience to see a different Tung Duong in each stage, but still recognize that it is Tung Duong - the person who always longs to be reborn in music.”, Tung Duong confided.

Without that abundant energy and burning desire to work, it would be difficult to do what Tung Duong has done in the past two years. He released two studio albums “Multiverse” and “Timeless” with completely different musical styles, performed the live show “Nguoi Dan Ong Hat” to mark 22 years of singing at the end of 2024 before appearing regularly in the country’s major anniversary music shows on the two occasions of A50 and A80.

Tung Duong’s performance of “Continuing the Story of Peace” in front of more than fifty thousand spectators in the program “Fatherland in the Heart” left the most impression. A song that emerged as a phenomenon in 2025, which had been performed by many quality voices… when in the hands of Tung Duong, it still had a different nuance: more heroic, more spirited, making listeners get goosebumps.“The song sung in a small auditorium or stage can be performed by someone else, but in a stadium with tens of thousands of spectators, no one is more suitable than Tung Duong.”is one of the most popular comments after the show.

In the crowd singing along with Tung Duong in the music night at My Dinh, there were many young people - an audience that seems difficult to approach for the music of the male singer born in 1983. After popular songs like "One Round of Vietnam" or“Rebirth”Many Gen Z audiences admitted that they proactively searched for Tung Duong's music and "appreciated" his very unique quality.

Tung Duong said he was delighted with this openness from the general audience:“For many years, I have persisted on my musical path: sometimes thorny, sometimes not easy to listen to, but always coming from my own personality and the desire to share. But absorption always takes time. And when the general audience opens up more to Tung Duong, I do not see it as a 'victory', but as a beautiful encounter and empathy of emotions.”

“Maybe there will come a time when the frequencies between artists and the public will be in harmony, when they are ready to listen with their hearts, and I have enough experience to convey messages in a simpler way, not necessarily something too far-fetched or lofty.”

He affirmed that although he realized the easy path, he would not abuse it because modern audiences are “sensitive, intelligent, sophisticated and do not need tricks”. What they need is real creativity and energy:“If there are those things, whether it's jazz, pop, world music or ballad… listeners will still find themselves in it.”

“If an artist only sings to please the majority, sooner or later he will lose his creative soul. I want young audiences to see in Tung Duong a person who dares to live his life to the fullest with art, dares to experiment and is always honest in his emotions. When Tung Duong changes his style, it does not mean that he “loses his substance”, but rather enriches his own identity.”, he concluded.

Just a few months ago, Tung Duong had the opportunity to enjoy the music night of famous singer Andrea Bocelli in Europe and met and talked with him and his wife backstage. For the male singer, this experience was not only the happiness of "witnessing" his idol but also moved him to the heart of a great artist.

Tung Duong confided:“When listening to Bocelli sing, I clearly feel that his music does not only come from technique, but from the soul. He does not sing to conquer, but to share. It is these meetings that help me strengthen my belief that whether you are a Vietnamese or international artist, music is ultimately the language of love and empathy. And when you reach that, all boundaries are removed. I learned from Bocelli a simple but extremely important thing: A true artist is someone who makes others feel loved and revived through music!”.

Bocelli was not the only artist mentioned by Tung Duong in the interview. He quoted famous quotes from the famous painter Pablo Picasso and composer Leonard Bernstein when explaining his artistic views, and also mentioned young Vietnamese artists such as Hoa Minzy and Duc Phuc when talking about the young musical phenomena with folk cultural nuances in the past year.

Tung Duong's understanding of popular culture shows his seriousness about his career and his passion for national music. He said he was happy that Gen Z artists have returned to their roots, exploiting national cultural materials with many similarities to projects like“Doc Dao” and “Li Ti” he has performed: “Young Vietnamese artists are not only interested in form, but are also beginning to have a deeper awareness of Vietnamese identity and character. This is not a trend but a positive cultural signal, showing that Vietnamese music is maturing, expanding its creative range while still maintaining its roots.”.

“When I listen to products like 'Thi Mau', 'Bac Bling' or 'Phu Dong Thien Vuong'... made with a modern spirit, I feel a continuous flow is forming, with young people not afraid to experiment, not afraid to break the rules, but still respect traditional values. Each generation has its own way of expression, its own musical language, but if they all aim towards Vietnamese values, then that is something truly precious.”, Tung Duong commented.

Before the widespread acceptance today, Tung Duong was like a lone swallow with contemporary folk songs in a modern, electronic music market. But he still went, because he was aware of his cultural mission:“For me, that mission is not a slogan, but a natural responsibility. Because I always believe that music is not only for entertainment, but also to nourish the soul and preserve national identity. I hope that today's youth do not consider national culture as 'ancient', but see in it pride and creative inspiration. Only with the past can there be the present and the future.”.

Title“Timeless”chosen by Tung Duong for his new album is also completely suitable for him. Even though it is translated as“Timeless”good"Timeless", from“Timeless”all suit his voice and musical personality - an artist who will always have a place in the present, past, and future.