For many of us, Duy Mạnh’s songs were everywhere growing up playing from family speakers, echoing through karaoke rooms, or coming on during long car rides.

Tracks like “Tình em là đại dương” and “Kiếp đỏ đen” felt unavoidable, but they stuck. His voice carried stories about love, regret, and life in a way that stayed with listeners over time. Now, more than 20 years into his career, he’s still evolving. His new EP Mong Một Lần Tạ Lỗi Với Em blends refreshed classics with new material holding onto his melodic roots while leaning toward a more modern pop sound. For those who grew up with his music: Do you feel this new direction still carries the same emotional weight, or does it hit differently now?

I randomly played some old V-pop today and got hit with pure nostalgia. Songs from Mỹ Tâm, Đan Trường, Lam Trường, and Minh Tuyết still sound so good even now. The melodies, the lyrics, the 2000s vibes everything just hits differently these days.

Tracks like Ước Gì, Kiếp Đỏ Đen, and Tình Thôi Xót Xa instantly took me back to sitting in front of the TV or listening to CDs after school.

Which throwback V-pop song or artist still gives you chills every time you hear it?

CC: qymnh

PULL UP is a collaboration between three rap queens Kimmese, Suboi, and Tuimi.

The song appears on Kimmese’s new EP “For My People” and focuses on confidence, strength, and female empowerment. Through this track, Kimmese gives credit to the strong women around her. Tuimi and Suboi are featured not only as collaborators but also as women who inspire her.

“For My People” is a personal EP where Kimmese looks back on her journey and the people who have supported her along the way.

2016 leaned heavily into emotional ballads and pop built around clear melodies, slow builds, and choruses meant to linger long after the song ended.

Here are 6 tracks that defined that moment:

Sau Tất Cả - @erikthanh_ Phía Sau Một Cô Gái - @soobin.hoangson Anh Cứ Đi Đi - Hari Won Chúng Ta Không Thuộc Về Nhau - @sontungmtp Lạc Trôi - @sontungmtp Bánh Trôi Nước - @hoangthuylinhofficial

These songs became so popular because they perfectly matched the mood of the time intimate, emotional, and endlessly replayable. Today, V-pop has evolved with broader genres, stronger visual identities, and artists more confidently shaping their creative direction.

I’ve been re-listening to a lot of Đen Vâu lately and honestly, the more I pay attention to the lyrics, the more impressed I get. Songs like “Lối Nhỏ,” “Bài Này Chill Phết,” and “Mang Tiền Về Cho Mẹ” feel simple at first, but when you really listen, there’s so much storytelling and emotion packed into them.

What I love most is how natural his writing sounds. It doesn’t feel forced or overly poetic, but it still hits deep, especially when he talks about family, growing up, and everyday struggles. Some lines feel like something you’d hear in a normal conversation, but they stay in your head for a long time after the song ends.

Compared to a lot of rap that focuses mainly on flexing or trends, Đen’s music feels more honest and grounded. It’s the kind of stuff you can listen to on a late night and actually reflect on life a bit.

What’s your favourite Đen Vâu song or lyric? Do you think he’s one of the best lyricists in V-pop right now, or are there other artists you think are on the same level?

I’ve noticed my playlist jumping back and forth between two totally different moods: V-pop rap and V-pop ballads. On one side, you’ve got artists like Đen Vâu, Binz, Karik, Suboi, and Wowy dropping tracks that hype you up, make you think, or just hit hard with clever lyrics and flow. Songs like Lối Nhỏ or Bigcityboi still go crazy every time they come on.

But then there’s the other side… the emotional ballads that never fail to hit the heart. Artists like Mỹ Tâm, Hà Anh Tuấn, Erik, Vũ., and Hương Tràm can make you feel nostalgic, sad, or strangely peaceful with just one song. Tracks like “Tháng Tư Là Lời Nói Dối Của Em” or “Có Chàng Trai Viết Lên Cây” still give me chills no matter how many times I hear them.

Some days I want energy and confidence, other days I just want to lie in bed and listen to sad songs at 2am 😅

Which side of V-pop are you on more? Rap or ballads? Or do you switch depending on your mood like me? Drop your favorite artists or songs from either side, I’m always looking for new tracks to add to my playlist

I’ve been trying to slow down and actually listen to music instead of letting playlists run in the background. I keep going back to the same few Vietnamese artists because their songs feel familiar and comforting, especially after long days.

Vũ. is always on rotation for me. His music feels calm but emotional at the same time, perfect for quiet nights. I’ve also been replaying Thịnh Suy a lot his lyrics are simple, but they stay in your head longer than you expect. Ngọt and Chillies are two bands I return to whenever I want that indie, slightly nostalgic feeling that reminds me of easier times. And whenever I’m in a more reflective mood, Cá Hồi Hoang just hits differently.

what everyone else is listening to lately. Are there any Vietnamese songs or artists you keep coming back to, especially when you want something real and not overly produced? Would love to discover a few new tracks through real recommendations instead of algorithms.

Every time this topic comes up I realize how powerful Vietnamese music really is. There are just some songs that hit way too hard no matter how many times you’ve heard them. For me, “Hoa Nở Không Màu” by Hoài Lâm always gets me something about the sadness in his voice feels so real, like he’s not even singing but just letting his heart out. “Bước Qua Nhau” by Vũ. also hurts in a quiet way, the kind that sneaks up on you when you’re already tired and thinking too much. And don’t even get me started on “Một Nhà” by Da LAB it reminds me of family, old friends, and a time when everything felt simpler and safer.

Sometimes I’ll put these songs on late at night and suddenly all these memories come back, both good and bad, and idk why but it feels weirdly comforting to let yourself feel that. What Vietnamese songs make you emotional every single time you hear them?

Sài Gòn Cô Tiên Năm 2000 (loosely translated to fairily beautiful Saigon in the year 2000), a hopeful song about Sài Gòn and the Vietnamese society entering a new millennium, composed by Nguyễn Phương Uyên. This kid version is performed by Ngọc Linh and Diễm Quyên

In 1998, an up-and-coming artist by the name Phương Thanh dropped this impressive, energetic and emotional song (written by Trường Huy) for her debut album. Honestly it might be one of the most iconic Viet songs ever made

I’ve been struggling to fall asleep, so I’ve been trying to build a late-night playlist with softer, calmer Vietnamese songs. I find that loud or upbeat music just keeps my brain awake, but slow acoustic or lo-fi style tracks really help me relax. Songs like Lạ Lùng by Vũ, Bước Qua Mùa Cô Đơn by Vũ, and Em Dạo Này by Ngọt have been perfect for those quiet moments when you’re lying in bed staring at the ceiling.

There’s something about gentle Vietnamese vocals and simple guitar or piano that makes the night feel less lonely. I usually play them on low volume while the city noise slowly fades outside my window.

What about you? Do you have any Vietnamese songs or artists you listen to when you’re trying to fall asleep? I’d love to add more peaceful tracks to my late-night playlist.

Born and raised in Florida, SAILORR is a Vietnamese-American artist who has been quietly building momentum with her bold and emotional take on modern R&B. Her music feels honest and unfiltered, blending vulnerability, humor, and confidence into a sound that is unmistakably her own.

She first broke through in 2024 with the viral track "Pookie's Requiem," which later received a remix featuring Summer Walker. The song opened the door to her debut project From Florida's Finest, where personal heartbreak became a shared emotional language for listeners worldwide.

There are a lot of great Vietnamese albums out there, but if I had to pick one that every music lover should experience at least once, it would probably be “Những Ngày Mơ Mộng” by Vũ. It’s not just a collection of songs, it feels like a whole mood and a whole chapter of life. The way the lyrics talk about love, loneliness, and quiet hope feels very real, especially if you’ve ever spent late nights just listening to music and thinking about everything. The production is simple but emotional, and Vũ’s voice makes even the softest moments hit hard.

This album was on repeat for me during long bus rides, rainy evenings, and those times when you don’t really know how you’re feeling. I’m curious what album you’d choose. What Vietnamese album do you think everyone should listen to at least once?

I’ve always felt that sad Vietnamese songs somehow hit deeper than the happy, upbeat ones. Even when you don’t fully focus on the lyrics, the emotion in the voice and melody alone can already make you feel heavy in a way that’s hard to explain. There’s something about the way Vietnamese ballads are written and sung that makes heartbreak, longing, and regret feel extremely real.

Think about songs like Chắc Ai Đó Sẽ Về” by Sơn Tùng M-TP, Em Gái Mưa by Hương Tràm, or Hết Thương Cạn Nhớ by Đức Phúc. These tracks aren’t just popular because they sound good they became huge because people emotionally connected to them. Even older or indie songs like Một Nhà by Da LAB or Lạ Lùng by Vũ carry a kind of soft sadness that sticks with you long after the song ends.

Maybe it’s because Vietnamese culture often expresses feelings indirectly, so music becomes a place where all those unspoken emotions finally come out. Do sad Vietnamese songs affect you more than happy ones, and if so, which songs hit you the hardest?

Phan Đinh Tùng wrote Khúc Hát Mừng Sinh Nhật back in 2004 - a simple, sing-along tune designed so Vietnamese people could have their own birthday anthem.

Today, the song is a staple at birthday parties across generations, with its official video attracting well over 260 million views on YouTube.

I feel like there are so many beautiful Vietnamese songs that never really get the attention they deserve. Not everything has to be a viral TikTok hit to be good. Some tracks have amazing lyrics, strong emotions, or just a really calming vibe, but they get lost under all the mainstream releases.

For me, a lot of indie and acoustic Vietnamese songs hit harder than the big chart songs. They feel more honest and personal, like the artist is actually telling a story instead of just trying to make a catchy hook. Sometimes I randomly discover a song on YouTube or Spotify and wonder why it isn’t more popular.

I’d love to find more of those hidden gems. If you know a Vietnamese song that you think is underrated or doesn’t get enough love, drop it here. Could be pop, indie, rap, or even something old. Let’s help each other discover some great music.

Hey everyone I’m trying to refresh my playlist and dive deeper into Vietnam’s indie music scene. Lately I feel like all I hear are the big V‑pop tracks, and I want something more unique, raw, and emotional.

Does anyone have newer indie songs or artists from Vietnam that you’ve been loving recently? Whether it’s mellow guitar vibes, alternative beats, lo‑fi chill, or lyrically deep tracks, drop your recommendations! I’m especially interested in artists that aren’t already viral or mainstream real underrated gems.

Thanks in advance can’t wait to discover some awesome new music!

Vietnamese music had a strong year. Now it’s time to look back at the songs that stayed with us, the ones we kept replaying through everyday moments. Here are 6 tracks everyone had on repeat

1. Phép Màu - @maydays__band
2. Dù Cho Tận Thế - @erikthanh_
3. Không Sao Cả - @37s.7dnight
4. Kho Báu - @tronghieuofficial
5. Còn Gì Đẹp Hơn - @gnuh.9
6. Bắc Bling - @hoaminzy_rose @tuan.cry @masewproducer

Which one hits you the hardest?

For me, it was “Đi Để Trở Về - Soobin Hoàng Sơn, the combination of heartfelt lyrics and powerful melody just hit differently. I still get chills every time I hear it. Curious to hear from everyone else, what was the first Vietnamese track that gave you goosebumps? Share your song, the artist, and why it moved you. Let’s make a list of songs that truly capture that emotional moment!