At the prestigious 2025 Music Awards Japan held on May 22 at the Rohm Theatre Kyoto, Vietnamese singer Tung Duong was honored with the International Special Award, marking a significant milestone as the first Vietnamese artist to receive this distinction.

Joining other influential artists from across Asia, including Seventeen (South Korea), Zhou Shen (China), Lola Amour (Philippines), Jeff Satur (Thailand), and Salma Salsabil (Indonesia), Tung Duong took the stage to receive the award. In a heartfelt moment, he thanked his parents, wife, children, producers, team, and fans.

To the delight of the audience, he spontaneously sang the chorus of “Mot vong Viet Nam” (One Circle Vietnam), a song by Dong Thien Duc that celebrates the cultural richness of his homeland. His performance received a warm ovation from the packed concert hall.

Speaking to VietNamNet, Tung Duong shared his joy: “It is a great honor to be the first Vietnamese artist to receive the highest music accolade in Japan. Experiencing such a professional and world-class award ceremony, meeting famous artists from Japan and across Asia, has given me new inspiration and motivation for future music projects in service of Vietnamese audiences.”

The Music Awards Japan, launched in 2024, is organized by the Cultural and Entertainment Industry Promotion Association (CEIPA) in collaboration with Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).

The event was created to elevate Japanese music on the world stage and to strengthen global cultural exchange through music.

With over 60 award categories, winners are selected by a board of more than 5,000 experts, including artists, producers, record label professionals, critics, journalists, publishers, and international judges.

The International Special Award recognizes artists from outside Japan who are contributing to musical bridges between cultures and nations.

Mi Le