Toc Tien is currently rehearsing for her performance of "Em Tien" at the Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026 in Thailand this November. She shared that her family and friends have offered strong support as she enters the regional music arena.
The Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026, an Asian version of Europe's 70-year-old music competition, will feature contestants performing on a single night. Results will be determined by a 50% judge score and 50% public vote. Each act is limited to under three minutes with a maximum of six people on stage. The event is scheduled for 14/11 in Thailand, airing on Channel 3 and participating nations' broadcasters.
After 23 years in music, Toc Tien highlighted this year as one with many career and personal milestones. She continues to captivate audiences with her sensual image and modern music style, and she recently won the show "Chi dep dap gio 2024".
The year 2026 also marks a turning point in Toc Tien's personal life, with her family relationships improving after a long period of estrangement. She shared that in early June, her mother reached out to her after years of minimal contact. "Both my parents and I are now actively sharing, understanding, and encouraging each other through difficult phases", the singer said.
The long-standing conflict between Toc Tien and her family stemmed from disagreements over her career path. Her mother had supported her activities at the City Children's Cultural House, managing her schedule and helping her become a prominent teen singer from the age of 13. However, her mother saw singing as a hobby, not a lasting career, and hoped Toc Tien would study medicine to become a doctor.
In 2009, while studying in the US, Toc Tien chose to leave medicine for communications, pursuing a singing career against her family's wishes. The 8x generation singer recounted a period when she had to move out and endured significant psychological pressure. In 2014, she returned to Vietnam to work independently, embracing a sensual style. Despite repeated attempts, Toc Tien could not find common ground with her mother.
Following her divorce announcement earlier this year, Toc Tien began sharing more with her relatives to find balance. She frequently visited her family in the US, re-establishing her relationship with her mother, who has since accepted her choices. Her mother expressed hope that Toc Tien would soon find a suitable new partner. In August, her mother visited Vietnam, where they cooked, strolled, and swam together.
As her parents reside in the US, they maintain contact with the singer, born in 1989, through messages and calls. Toc Tien mentioned that her mother often reminds her to prioritize her health, knowing she is a "workaholic."
Hoang Dung - Pham Linh
