Famous for his folk songs, many people call singer Truong Vu "the king of poor music" but few people know that Truong Vu's salary can reach up to billions.

Truong Vu's real name is Huynh Van Ngoanh, born on February 25, 1963 in Vinh Chau, Bac Lieu (now Soc Trang). He is the fifth child in a family of six siblings, of Chinese descent from Chaozhou who have lived in Vietnam for many generations. For those who love Vietnamese music, especially the folk music of the homeland with its soulful and lyrical melodies, the name Truong Vu is certainly no stranger.

Difficult beginnings and musical direction

At the age of 20, Truong Vu went abroad alone and later settled in Los Angeles, USA. His initial life in a foreign country was extremely difficult. Truong Vu had to work as a kitchen assistant, washing dishes, and cleaning from 5am to 10pm for only a few hundred dollars a month. During that time, he often listened to music tapes by Che Linh and Duy Khanh. These are considered the two musical figures who changed his musical thinking and performance style later on.

Magical musical opportunity

Truong Vu was discovered by singer Chung Tu Luu and invited to collaborate with Phuong Hoang Center and Ca Dao. At first, recording was very difficult because he was exposed to music in Teochew and Cantonese. But thanks to the support of his girlfriend and his efforts to learn Thanh Viet, he gradually improved his skills and became more confident.

He studied music theory and pronunciation with singer and musician Duy Khanh for 5 years, then was instructed by Che Linh on vibrato and breath retention. It is the singing style that carries the breath of both these famous singers that makes listeners easily confuse Truong Vu and Che Linh's voices.

His career exploded when he was over 30 years old. He recorded nearly 80 albums from the 1990s to the early 2000s. In 1996, his first CD Thuong Tinh Nhan was released by Ca Dao Center, bringing his name closer to the public, with songs such as Tinh Nhu May Khoi, Dua Em Vao Ha, No, Con Duong Xua Em Di, Linh Hon Tuong Da...

The birth of the nickname "king of poor music"

Truong Vu stands out with his deep golden music. His outstanding songs include Poor Wedding, Poor Fate, Poor but Have Love, Khong Gio Roi, Sad City, Empty Hands... and songs about soldier music such as: Low Leaf Forest, May Grass Flower, Salty Sea, We Are Three Children, It and I... His simple, rustic style and soulful voice have helped him leave a mark in the hearts of overseas audiences and earn him the title "king of poor music".

Activities abroad and the journey back home

Truong Vu rarely returned to Vietnam to perform but was granted permission to return in 2006. However, it was not until 2010 that he first appeared in a charity show in his home country. Since 2016, he has returned more frequently, participating in TV shows and being a judge such as Tinh Bolero.

Current "private" life with a young wife 30 years younger

Truong Vu got married late in 2005 at the age of 42 and has two children. He always keeps his personal life private, not wanting his family to be affected by showbiz. At the age of over 60, Truong Vu spends a lot of time with his family. He likes to stay at home to cook, garden and take care of the spacious garden in California, where he lives with his wife and two sons. In addition, he created a YouTube channel to share his daily life such as cooking, gardening, fishing and family moments.

In 2023, Truong Vu suddenly announced his divorce from his wife after 18 years of living together. Just 1 year later, Truong Vu remarried a young wife 30 years younger in Ben Tre. The wedding of the "poor music king" was simple and quite quiet, he did not invite colleagues but only family members and some close friends to celebrate. It is known that Truong Vu and his young wife had only known each other for a few months before getting married.

Class and respect from the audience

Truong Vu's voice not only touches the hearts of the audience with sadness and depth, but also with sincerity and simplicity. Truong Vu's salary was once sky-high, fluctuating up to 140 million VND/show in 2012, second only to Tuan Vu. Currently, although he is nearly 70 years old, he still maintains a simple style, not chasing after flashiness or womanizing, but giving priority to live quality, his musical career and inspiration from loyal audiences.

At the age of 62, Truong Vu still holds a special place in the hearts of Vietnamese music lovers. Despite decades of being on stage, the male singer still maintains a loyal audience, always following and supporting him every time he appears. With a warm, emotional voice and a simple but profound performance style, Truong Vu has become a symbol of golden music, leaving an indelible mark in the hearts of fans.

Although he is no longer in the prime of his health and voice, he still maintains his seriousness and respect for his profession. Truong Vu does not follow trends or flashy elements to attract attention, instead, he chooses to preserve the core values of the music he pursues. That is clearly shown through the consistent artistic perspective he once shared: "I like to sing live, not lip-sync, I have to sing with my band, I cannot sing with a CD".

It is this straightforwardness and principle that has helped Truong Vu maintain the trust and love of the audience for many years. He is not only a singer, but also an artist who appreciates the true value of music, bringing listeners complete, simple but emotional moments. In the eyes of fans, Truong Vu is proof that passion and sincerity can help an artist stand the test of time.

Truong Vu went from a life of hardship to fame and chose a peaceful life in his old age. Despite starting from a difficult and unfamiliar background, he still overcame adversity thanks to his passion, his efforts to learn and luckily met the right mentor. Now, outside the spotlight, Truong Vu lives peacefully with his family, enjoying the worthy results of his years of musical dedication.

Truong Vu: Working as a kitchen assistant, cleaning, roofing from 5 am to 10 pm, no one dares to sit near