Making Money 4.0: "Duy Nen" used to be a worker, started over from the chopstick crisis

As one of the first food reviewers on the social networking platform YouTube in Vietnam, Tran Van Duy (born 1982, Thai Binh) - Owner of the channel "Ha Noi Pho" once attracted hundreds of thousands of followers.

However, at the very time when the channel was developing well, Tran Van Duy had to go through a long period of facing countless opposing opinions and boycott waves from the online community.

Making Money 4.0: "Duy Nen" used to be a worker, starting over from the chopstick crisis (Video: Doan Thuy - Le Dinh Tung).

Since the beginning of 2021, Duy's content creation style has been criticized by the public as unprofessional and even offensive. Seemingly normal clips such as buying a bundle of chopsticks from a street vendor or experiencing a Hanoi specialty have created a wave of harsh criticism due to content errors.

After 2 years of "absence", in early 2024, Tran Van Duy suddenly reappeared on social networks on a new platform - TikTok. Duy used the same controversial name to start over: "Duy Nen".

In a conversation with Dan Tri reporter, Tran Van Duy shared frankly about the stormy journey he went through to "correct mistakes" and find a way to create content that is "more thoughtful" and more suitable for both himself and his audience.

"Duy Nen" used to be a mining machine repairman.

What chance brought Duy to the job of reviewer?

- Before becoming a reviewer, I did all kinds of jobs: working at a construction site, repairing mining machines, and then opening a small coffee shop.

Kiếm tiền 4.0: Duy Nến từng là công nhân, làm lại từ khủng hoảng bó đũa - 1 — Tran Van Duy shared that he used to do all kinds of jobs.

Working for others and then working for myself, until now I still think that life is impermanent. Everything can change and I have to change too.

Content creation came to me quite naturally. I didn’t plan it from the beginning. I simply wanted to record the things I found interesting, the popular eateries, the familiar streets in Hanoi.

I decided to pursue my current job because I found it suitable, comfortable, gave me creative space and, importantly, still had income to live on. So I have stuck with it until now.

"Chopsticks bundle" crisis

The time when the channel was at its peak was also the time when you faced a lot of mixed opinions. I remember a time when social media was flooded with videos related to content like "chopsticks" or "candles and alcohol". When you look back at that time, how do you feel about yourself?

- That was a big lesson for me. I've always tried to prepare for possible situations, but it's true that what will happen will happen.

Kiếm tiền 4.0: Duy Nến từng là công nhân, làm lại từ khủng hoảng bó đũa - 2 — "Personally, looking back, there are things I didn't do well and made mistakes," Duy admitted.

I think that's a part that anyone who makes content will probably go through - the moment when you don't anticipate the community's reaction.

Personally, looking back, there are things I didn't do well and made mistakes.

I am not an expert. I just create content from the perspective of an ordinary person like a guest or a child. There are times when I say the wrong name of a dish, sometimes I ask silly questions, and when I don't know enough, mistakes are inevitable.

From that incident, I realized one thing: When you create content on social media, especially when you have a large following, what you share will more or less create an impact. If the information you provide is not accurate, it will have a negative impact.

Content creation is not something that can be said in any way. Just a little carelessness can unintentionally lead others to misunderstand the issue.

When faced with criticism, have you ever thought about stopping?

- When I encounter incidents, I also ask myself: Is choosing this path wrong? Should I react like many others do? But then I think, this is the job I chose and in this industry I "live" and develop thanks to the audience.

So I chose to stay silent and continue doing my work.

After those events, I did not stop completely, just temporarily stopped reviewing food. Then I switched to creating content about history and folklore. That content has a clear origin, less risk of errors and is also a way for me to learn more and practice my communication skills.

I did history for about two years, then in 2024 I came back on the TikTok platform.

Partly because my old videos were re-cut and shared a lot, I got noticed. Partly because TikTok is an accessible platform, suitable for my style of work. It could be called "accidentally famous" again, but I think, it's simply that people see a familiar image again and continue to follow.

TikTok is a suitable platform for me to try my hand at many other areas such as business or affiliate marketing, both as an opportunity to increase income and as a way for me to change. I don't want today to be the same as yesterday.

The word "Candle" in the name is an indelible lesson.

One question that many people are probably curious about is why did you choose the name "Duy Nen" - which is associated with the crisis period - to return to?

- Creating content also requires a name for people to remember and identify. I once accidentally became famous with the name "Duy Nen" and I think, when that name is attached to me, there is no reason to avoid it.

More importantly, I kept that name as a reminder to myself.

Kiếm tiền 4.0: Duy Nến từng là công nhân, làm lại từ khủng hoảng bó đũa - 3 — Tran Van Duy considers the word "Candle" in the TikTok channel name as a lesson for himself.

I never thought of myself as a celebrity. The name "Duy Nen" always reminds me that I'm just Duy - a content creator, nothing special.

The word "Candle" behind is the part I cannot erase: the mistakes, the insufficient understanding, the controversial things. But I think, that very shortcoming has a positive side because when we know what we lack, we have a reason to learn more, understand more deeply and do better.

That name taught me to be more careful in every content I put out. Through the criticism, I know I am still not strong enough, not good enough and still have a lot to improve.

When everyone is creating short, fast, "instant" content, why do you choose to create "slow" and "poetic" content?

- I didn't intentionally choose any particular style.

When I hold the camera, I just focus on what's happening in front of me, saying what I feel.

In real life, I live slowly like that - no rush, no fast talking, no trying to be like someone else. Everyone has their own pace of life, I simply keep my own pace.

I am not a writer, not a speaker, so sometimes I stumble and fumble, I am just someone who loves words and "poetry".

The products, sometimes prepared but sometimes natural emotions, "letting their soul" into the story they tell.

I don't follow trends. On my TikTok channel, I clearly state: "Duy Nen specializes in Ri Vui every moment of life".

I used to think about following the trend, keeping up with the times. But many current trends revolve around controversy, gossip, and even shock value to get attention.

As for me, I just want to record what I see, what I encounter, and what I truly feel. So I just do things my own way, without following anyone or idolizing anyone.

Regarding the balance between personal and commercial content, I have actually only recently started advertising. Those who have been following for a long time will recognize which videos are commissioned and which are self-made.

But whether it's commercial content or not, when reviewing a brand or restaurant, I still act like a normal customer - come, experience and take notes.

I don't want to make it sound like an over-promotion or anything. Anyone who wants to verify can come and try it and feel it in their own way.

Thanks for the chat!