Huỳnh Minh Hưng (born 2 October 1971), better known by his stage name Đàm Vĩnh Hưng and Vùng Cấm, is a Vietnamese singer. He won 2 Dedication awards and multiple awards in Vietnam. Besides V-pop, he also performed many pre-war songs, Trinh Cong Son's songs and yellow music. He is one of the most highly paid singers in Vietnam and some of his alleged statements have appeared in tabloids.
Early life
Dam Vinh Hung was born in (Quảng Nam) on 2 October 1971. His paternal grandmother was of Hokkien ancestry, and he claims to have French ancestry from his paternal grandfather. His mother is from Quảng Nam. He also has one sibling. Dam began his musical career in 1996. Before pursuing singing career, he was a hair dresser.
When he was young, he studied at Ngo Quyen Secondary school and Nguyen Thuong Hien High school located in Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City. He had a variety of jobs to make ends meet including hair dresser and backup singer in various music shows.
He won The Most Excellent Singer prize in the contest which was held by Ben Thanh Theater's Young Audience Music Club from September 2000 – September 2001. This is considered to be the milestone of his career. His two songs Tình Ơi Xin Ngủ Yên (Please sleep tight my love) and Bình Minh Sẽ Mang Em Đi (The sunrise will take you away), which were well-known and widely recognizable, became a remarkable milestone of his music career. At the beginning of his career, his unique raspy voice resembles Vietnamese-American singer Don Ho, and he often sang with very strong intonation at the end of each lyrics. Afterward, he chose to sing pre-war songs, romance songs and yellow music.
He doesn't mind publicly showing how rich he is, such as the incident of which he lost a billion worth of watches, three times losing diamonds, purchasing US$5 million penthouse and his billion worth of fashion collection.
He is a Christian.
Music ability According to him, in some music shows, he tend to sings many genres, which some of them aren't his best, to entertain the audiences, because "If I don't try many genres, I won't be able to gain many fans and audiences, I won't be able to perform at plenty music shows. Meaning I'm able to sing different genres for being such a talented singer".
Music career
On 15 August 2017, the 8th album named Tình Bơ Vơ (Lonely Love) from Dạ Khúc Cho Tình Nhân project was officially released. 20.000 copies were made for the first sale, as he shared though it wasn't officially distributed, 4.000 copies were already pre ordered in foreign countries.
Albums
Pop albums
Vol. 1 – My Love Please Sleep Safe and Sound (Tình ơi xin ngủ yên) (2001) Vol. 2 – Sunset Will Take You Away (Bình minh sẽ mang em đi) (2001) Vol. 3 – Một trái tim tình si (2002) Vol. 4 – Bao giờ người trở lại... Hãy đến đây đêm nay (2002) Vol. 5 – Giọt nước mắt cho đời (2003) Vol. 6 – Hưng (2004) Vol. 7 – Mr. Đàm (2005) Vol. 8 – Tình ca hoài niệm (2006) với 12 tình khúc 1954 – 1975 nổi tiếng Vol. 9 – Giải thoát (2007) Vol. 10 – Lạc mất em (2007) Vol. 11 – Hạnh phúc cuối (2008)
Old music albums
Dạ khúc cho tình nhân 1 – Hạnh phúc lang thang (2008) Dạ khúc cho tình nhân 2 – Qua cơn mê (2008) Dạ khúc cho tình nhân 3 – Những bài ca không quên (2010) Dạ khúc cho tình nhân 4 – Cuộc tình đã mất (2011) Dạ khúc cho tình nhân 5 – Xót xa (2011) Dạ khúc cho tình nhân 6 – Xóa tên người tình (2013) Dạ khúc cho tình nhân 7 – Chờ đông (2013) Dạ khúc cho tình nhân 8 – Tình bơ vơ (2017) Dạ khúc cho tình nhân 9 - Chuyện loài hoa dang dở (2020) Dạ khúc cho tình nhân 10 - Cho cuộc tình đã mất (2023)
Edited albums
Vùng trời bình yên – song ca với Hồng Ngọc (2002) - Composed by : Hữu Tâm, Mr Đàm ft Dương Triệu Vũ Phôi pha (2003) Bước chân mùa xuân (2008) Mùa Noel đó (2009) Khoảng cách (2010) Sa mạc tình yêu – song ca với Thanh Lam (2011) Anh còn nợ em (2011) Ca dao mẹ (2011) 3H (2011) Góc khuất (2012) Tuổi hồng thơ ngây (2012) Chúc xuân – Bên em mùa xuân (2012) Tình buồn của H (2014) Làm sao anh biết (2014) Ô kìa... (2014) Khắc (2015) Lời con dâng chúa (2015) Tình ca mùa đông (2015) Tình không biên giới (2016) Yêu tận cùng, đau tận cùng (2018) Một mình có sao đâu (2018)
Video albums
Liveshow Trái tim hát (2003) Liveshow Giờ H (2004) Liveshow Thương hoài ngàn năm (2008) Liveshow Ngày không em (2008) Liveshow Sinh viên họ Đàm (2008) Liveshow Người tình (2010) Biển tình (2011) Liveshow Dạ tiệc trắng (2011) Liveshow Mr. Đàm By Night 5 – Bước chân miền Trung (2011) Liveshow Số phận (2012) Liveshow Thương hoài ngàn năm 2 (2015) Yêu em trong cả giấc mơ (2015) Diamond Show (2017) Liveshow Sài Gòn Bolero và Hưng (2017) Ngày em thắp sao trời (2024)
Music shows
Trái tim hát (2003) Giờ H (17, 18, 19 December 2004) Thương hoài ngàn năm (2007) Dạ tiệc trắng (2008) Người tình (2009) Vũ khúc mùa đông (2010) Mr. Đàm by night (2011) Số phận – kỷ niệm 15 năm ca hát (2012) Thương hoài ngàn năm 2 (2014) Diamond Show (2016) Sài Gòn Bolero và Hưng (2017) Ngày em thắp sao trời (2024)
Reality shows
The Voice Vietnam season 1, 2, 3 (Giọng hát Việt mùa 1, 2, 3) (2012, 2013, 2015) The X-Factor (Nhân tố bí ẩn) (2014) Fantastic Duo – Golden Couple season 1, 2, 3 (Tuyệt đỉnh song ca – Cặp đôi vàng mùa 1, 2, 3) (2016, 2017, 2018) Bolero Idol (Thần tượng Bolero) (2017) Undefeatable Voice (Giọng ca bất bại) (2018) Your Face Sounds Familiar season 6 (Gương mặt thân quen) (mùa thứ sáu) (2018)
Awards
1996: Incentive Prize of Bai Ca Thang 4 Contest by Dam Sen Theme Park. 1997: First Prize of Semi Professional Voice Festival. 1998: Fourth Prize of Ho Chi Minh City's The Star of Television Voice. 1999: Being one of ten potential singers of Saigon Ballad Music Center. 2001: First Prize of Saturday Afternoon for The Students show. 2002: Green Wave Award of Ho Chi Minh City's Voice of Citizen Broadcast Station. 2003: Platinum Star – Best Male Singer Award. 2004: Green Wave Award: Favorite Artist of 2004. 2005: Maple Leaf Award from The Consulate of Canada. 2005: Two Green Wave Awards: Favorite Artist and Artist of the Year (2005). 2006: Platinum Star: Most Impressive Styled Artist. 2007: Music Dedication 2007: Best Singer of 2007. 2008: Two Green Wave Awards: 10 Favorite Singers and Singer of the Year. Silver Medal for ballad and folk song from Asean Voice Festival 2008. 2010: Five Awards from Zing Music Awards 2010 and Favorite Singer of HTV Awards. 2011: HTV Awards: Favorite Singer Award (2nd time). 2013: Favorite Song Award: Chiec Vong Cau Hon (composed by Tran Tien).
Controversies
Wrong songs In his Vol. 8 album, Tình Ca Hoài Niệm (also known as Tình Ca 50) including love songs from 1954 to 1975, Phố Đêm (Night Town) was also one of the chosen songs in the album, on the cover it was said to be one of Nguyen Tuan Kiet's songs, however the song in the album was another song with same title from songwriter Tam Anh, that song was banned due to be thought as songs from old regime before 1975. He explained that he had badly misunderstood, but still got 30 million Vietnam Dong fine, the production company was fined 23 million Vietnamdong and the album was withdrawn from the shelf.
In the album Mr. Dam (2005), the song Em Đã Quên Một Dòng Sông was printed on the cover to be allegedly composed by songwriter Hai Trieu, actually this is a song by Vietnamese-American songwriter Truc Ho without his permission. Thuy Nga Center was the official representative for the release of this album, but Em Đã Quên Một Dòng Sông was cut out. Also in this album, Bạc Tình was a song by Vietnamese-American songwriter Huynh Nhat Tan, but it was printed to belong to songwriter Nhat Dang Khoa on the cover.
Feud with singer Phuong Thanh Before the news which singer Phương Thanh was blackmailed, he'd had a close friendship with Phuong Thanh. After this incident, Phuong Thanh came to meet him in person and said: "In this case, I only doubt Ngoc and Hung". Dam Vinh Hung also confirmed this news however he'd falsely assumed that Phuong Thanh was talking about singer Hong Ngoc and Tuan Hung.
In 2007, when the feud between Phuong Thanh and journalist Huong Tra was sent to the court, it was reported that Dam Vinh Hung sent his lawyer to assist Huong Tra.
In 2008, both admitted to haven't talked for more than 1 year. During this time, Phuong Thanh shared that there must be someone close to her, had sold out her personal life to the press to write many tabloids regarding her life. Other than that, the news about Dam Vinh Hung were published at the same time of Phuong Thanh's saying constantly added more tensions to their friendship.
Answering many speculations, he addressed that there were only misunderstanding and hopefully everything would be rightfully revealed. However, Phuong Thanh accused that the friendship "was doomed". In Green Waves Award 2012, they made it up.
Attack in America (2010) On July 18, 2010, he was attacked by Lý Tống while performing at Santa Clara Conference Center in Santa Clara, California, USA. Middle-aged and older individuals didn't approve of his appearance at the music show and there were protests. There were plans put out to pressure the organizers to cancel any show with Dam Vinh Hung involved.
According to the Mercury News, many supported Lý Tống, including local politicians and demanded his immediate release. Lý Buồi hoped that the jury wouldn't accuse him of having violent intention, based on his excuse as he "protected Vietnamese community from the representative of the Communist regime". However, he was still found guilty and had to serve 6 months in jail and another 3 years under control.
The incident was heavily protested by Vietnamese Community in the US due to viewing Đàm Vĩnh Hưng as someone who propagandizes the Government of Vietnam. He was previously honored by the Government of Vietnam for performing multiple political songs while waving Vietnam's national flag which Vietnamese-Americans bristle at. Moreover, his comment to Lý Buồi, "I'm willing to forgive" was considered provocative.
Feud with Thanh Lam Singer Thanh Lam negatively commented on how Dam Vinh Hung and Ho Ngoc Ha were the judges of The Voice Vietnam 2012: "While watching The Voice, I was surprised and couldn't imagine myself that Dam Vinh Hung, Ho Ngoc Ha would be the judge, what are they going to teach the contestants though?". On 21 August 2012, he declared that: "I'm not fake, neither pretending nor keeping silence on the matter. If you know how important your image is then everyone else does. Please end this relationship immediately. Stop meeting each other from now on". Thanh Lam and Dam Vinh Hung later due to conflicts had been avoiding each other ever since although they perform on the same stage. Previously, he had often stated that Thanh Lam was his idol.
Kissing a monk in 2012 During the auction as a contribution for charity foundation for Wanbi Tuan Anh at Khong Ten Music Tearoom on 4 November 2012, he brought a bottle of wine on stage for auctioning along the declaration: "The winner will bring the bottle of wine home and my two kisses". As the result, the winner was two monks for auctioning the bottle of wine for 55 million Vietnamdong.
Afterward, he kissed one of the two monks on the lips and kissed the hand of the older monk. The monks were later fined from the higher monks for 3 months under control. The younger monk who kissed Dam Vinh Hung on the lip later deconsecrated due to family circumstance and his will was accepted.