The "Sing! Asia" music competition concluded on the morning of 27/7 after nearly two months of filming. Phuong My Chi secured third place after competing against formidable rivals from Japan and China.
On the regional stage, Phuong My Chi performed "Chopstick," a new song co-written with DTAP. She showcased her fluency and emotional delivery in both English and Chinese. Inspired by the Vietnamese folktale about chopsticks, her performance conveyed a message of unity, friendship, and the power of connection between Asian countries and territories.
Phuong My Chi sings "Chopstick". Video: FPT Play
During the finale, judge Truong Luong Dinh praised Phuong My Chi's confidence and charisma. "Phuong My Chi creates her own challenges, leaving no room for retreat, and I admire that," Dinh said. Hong Kong music producer Au Dinh Ngoc expressed interest in working with Phuong My Chi after witnessing her performance, noting her strategic approach to music that preserves her cultural identity while embracing global influences.
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Phuong My Chi's appearance during her duet of "Lac Troi" with Chinese singer Hoang Linh in the final round. Photo: Provided by the artist |
Phuong My Chi's appearance during her duet of "Lac Troi" with Chinese singer Hoang Linh in the final round. Photo: Provided by the artist
"I'm overjoyed to perform on an international stage and sing about Vietnamese history and culture," Phuong My Chi shared. "I'm surrounded by love, connection, and indescribable emotions from friends and fans across Asia." Throughout the competition, the support from the audience and crew fueled her confidence and enhanced her performances.
Performance of "Buon Trang". Video: FPT Play
Phuong My Chi approached the competition with a focus on sharing her cultural heritage and learning from other countries, rather than winning. However, juggling two concurrent music competitions, one domestic and one international, presented scheduling challenges. She and her 40-person crew held weekly meetings to manage the demanding travel and logistical requirements. The Gen Z artist meticulously oversaw every detail, from costumes and staging to the music itself.
To incorporate Vovinam martial arts into her first-round performance of "Buon Trang," Phuong My Chi dedicated a month to training. In the quarterfinals, her sequined costume for "Vu Tru Co Anh," inspired by the character Co Tam, caused a severe allergic reaction. Despite this, she persevered without complaint. Her manager, Phan Anh, commented, "Phuong My Chi put in tremendous effort. She is much stronger than her petite frame suggests."
Alongside DTAP, Phuong My Chi showcased Vietnamese identity through modern, globally-minded performances. Building upon her strong foundation in folk music, she and her team crafted a unique musical style, effectively communicating Vietnamese stories to an international audience. Several Chinese news outlets, introducing the show's contestants, highlighted Phuong My Chi's background as a former child prodigy of folk music who rose to fame at the age of 10.
Beyond her vocal talent, Phuong My Chi added distinctive touches to each performance: traditional martial arts, folk dances with drum rhythms in a medley of Northern folk songs ("Ba Cong Di Cho Troi Mua," "Ly Cay Da," "Ba Rang Ba Ri," "Day Xe Bo"), and rap verses in "Vu Tru Co Anh." She even incorporated a "vong co" passage from the "cai luong" piece "Tieng Trong Me Linh," evoking the tragic yet heroic image of female general Trung Trac, in a mashup of "Tuy Am" and "Luc Hai Vi Vuong."
China Daily praised Phuong My Chi's fusion of traditional folk songs with modern arrangements, combined with martial arts and costume changes, as a vibrant celebration of local culture. Sina commended her for breaking musical boundaries by blending "Vu Tru Co Anh" with rap, breathing new life into Vietnamese folk melodies.
Performance of "Vu Tru Co Anh". Video: FPT Play
Phuong My Chi gained national recognition at 10 after winning "The Voice Kids" 2013 with her performance of "Que Em Mua Nuoc Lu" (Tien Luan). In her decade-long career, she has released numerous music videos and albums, including "Thuong Ve Mien Trung" (2017), "16 Xuan Trang" (2019), "Bat Nha Thuyen" (2020), and "Vu Tru Co Bay" (2023), inspired by Vietnamese literature. She has also acted in films like "Hai Lua" (2014), "Mua He 1999" (unreleased), "Nha Gia Tien" (2025), and the web drama "Tiem Hoa Di Ghe."
Phuong My Chi and Hoang Linh sing "Lac Troi". Video: FPT Play
Hoang Dung - Ha Thu
