On 23/8, Phuong My Chi wept as she accepted the championship title of "Em xinh say hi". Reflecting on her musical journey, she expressed feelings of "happiness" and "gratitude". "After participating in many competitions, I finally hold a winning trophy, standing beneath a shower of confetti honoring my efforts," she said.

Phuong My Chi rose to fame through The Voice Kids Vietnam 2013. The image of the young singer with tanned skin, often dressed in a traditional "ba ba" blouse, singing "Que em mua nuoc lu," "Sa mua giong," and "Ao moi Ca Mau" led audiences to dub her the "folk music girl" or "Chi Bay" (Sister Seven).

As a member of Generation Z, Phuong My Chi has extensive experience in singing. For over a decade, she has steadily established her name, carving a niche with her unique blend of traditional music and contemporary influences. Her success is evident in impactful albums like "Thuong ve mien Trung" (2017), "16 xuan trang" (2019), and "Bat nha thuyen" (2020).

This year, Phuong My Chi's popularity has soared thanks to her participation in two prominent music competitions. In Sing! Asia, a regional competition, she secured third place. Her performances of "Vu tru co anh," "Buon trang," "Rock hat gao," and "Bong phu hoa" garnered praise from judges To Huu Bang and Truong Luong Dinh, as well as Chinese media. Phuong My Chi also successfully introduced Vietnamese culture to international audiences through "ca tru," "vong co," rap, and "vovinam."

The singer enjoys a diverse fan base across age groups, and her fan club, To Co, continues to grow. She won "Em xinh say hi," a national singing competition showcasing young talent, with an overwhelming 779,290 votes, surpassing the runner-up Lyhan by 150,000 votes.

Phuong My Chi at 22. Besides singing, she has ventured into acting with projects like "Hai lua" (2014), "Nha gia tien" (2025), and the web drama "Tiem hoa di ghe." She was honored with the "Excellent New Face" award at Lan Song Xanh 2023 and the "Promising Young Face" award in 2024 by Thanh Doan.

Phuong My Chi attributes her initial success to perseverance, never entertaining the thought of giving up despite facing challenges. Rising to stardom at a young age, she felt the pressure of public expectations. Some believed she was "confined to folk music," while others predicted she would be a "flash in the pan." There was a period when she experienced a crisis as the "folk music girl" image became saturated in a market dominated by pop music.

However, she leveraged her strengths and sought innovation. Over the years, she explored various genres like "hat boi," "xam," "vi dam," "ca Hue," and "chau van," in addition to Southern folk music. Most of her projects revolve around celebrating folk music. Recent performances like "Cam ky thi hoa" (folk, contemporary), "He" ("xam" blended with rap and EDM), and "Duyen" ("xam" combined with hip hop) showcase her versatility.

She collaborated with young producers to reinvent herself. The music video "Vu tru co anh," fusing folk, pop, R&B, and rap, offered a fresh sound, propelling her forward. Subsequent releases like "Day xe bo" and "Dieu da" maintained her signature style while avoiding monotony.

She also found compatible collaborators who understand her personality and musical direction. DTAP, a producer group, has helped bring her closer to younger audiences through modern arrangements. In her first showcase in 2023, she surprised audiences with her ability to play instruments like the electric guitar, drums, flute, and singing bowls.

Now, at 22, she boldly experiments with pop ballads, R&B, and rap. While embracing modern music, she always incorporates folk elements, ensuring that "Phuong My Chi does not dissolve" into the mainstream.

"I'm not afraid to try; I'm only afraid to stop trying. Folk music is in my blood and will never disappear. I want this genre to resonate with young people in an exciting way, becoming more appealing with each listen, while also reaching international audiences," she said.

Recognizing the long road ahead, she is confident in her preparation and her commitment to continuous learning. Daily vocal practice is a discipline she maintains. Among Gen Z singers, Phuong My Chi is recognized for her vocal prowess, capable of reaching F6. In the past two years, she has also ventured into songwriting, impressing with compositions like "Bong phu hoa" and "Ech ngoai day gieng."

"I don't know how I'll change in 10 or 20 years, but I'll always be a Vietnamese person who loves traditional culture and will never abandon music," she stated.

Phuong My Chi and DTAP participating in the "Chuyen xe tu hao" program, part of the "Made in Vietnam" project, on 26/8 in Hue City.

Singer Hien Thuc, her mentor during her early singing days, commends her growth, passion, and perseverance. Artists Bach Tuyet and Kim Tu Long describe her as "young and talented." Kim Tu Long notes that Phuong My Chi has broadened her vision, bravely stepping outside her comfort zone.

"What My Chi is doing is progress, creating a trend for young people to change their perspective and see that folk and lyrical music are not cheesy or boring," said Kim Tu Long.

Tan Cao

Photos, video: Provided by the artist