Master of Architecture, leader of The Wall, tells story of borrowing money from MC Long Vu VTV

Tuan Hung shares the 30-year journey of many ups and downs of Vietnam's leading Rock band as well as plans and concerns for the journey ahead.

Tuan Hung in "Confession".

Talking about his chance to come to music, Tuan Hung said that he played guitar since he was young, and his family sent him to study at the Intermediate level at the Hanoi Conservatory of Music (now the Vietnam National Academy of Music). However, after finishing high school, Tuan Hung decided to stop, focus on studying drawing and take the entrance exam to the Faculty of Architecture (University of Construction).

“If I could go back in time and meet Tuan Hung in his twenties, I would tell him: You have to be strong, don't be so timid and shy. At that time, I was self-conscious and withdrawn. Because of that, I thought I couldn't become an independent performing artist, it would be best to become an architect, developing my talent for painting. Unexpectedly, fate was predestined when I met Tran Lap and decided to form a band to play for fun, to do whatever I wanted," Tuan Hung confided.

VTV's SV 96 game show changed the lives of Tuan Hung and all members of the band Buc Tuong. He shared: "At that time, when receiving the invitation to appear on the show, musician Tran Lap told us: " The Wall (the name of the band Buc Tuong at that time) needs to declare who we are.

So instead of singing covers of international songs, Tran Lap wrote the song "We are the wall", the melody and lyrics are easy to remember. Also from that game show, Buc Tuong is determined with the goal: Bringing music to everyone, bringing people closer together and making this life better".

After appearing on TV shows and receiving a warm welcome from the public, Tuan Hung and the members gradually became more confident when standing on stage. They also became icons of youth with a series of immortal songs such as Road to Glory, Black Eyes, Glass Rose, May Rain...

However, many difficulties surrounded the time after that, causing the band's journey to go through many ups and downs.

Tuan Hung shared that Buc Tuong was “almost disbanded” after leaving the University of Construction. Before that, they were supported by the school with musical instruments to participate in movement activities, but after graduating, the lack of instruments to play made them confused when faced with performance invitations. However, thanks to the strength of the works of the late musician Tran Lap and the enthusiastic support from the public, the band kept their spirits up and determined to continue. They borrowed money to buy musical instruments from friends, finding ways to continue their musical journey.

“At that time, Tran Lap and I searched and asked Mr. Luong Minh from the Hoa Sua band where to buy a guitar and they told us to buy it in Hai Phong. We decided to go to Hai Phong together. However, at that time we didn't have any money so we had to borrow money from MC Long Vu. After that trip, we knew what our path ahead was"- Tuan Hung shared. ", Tuan Hung shared.

Tuan Hung is a rare rocker with a master's degree.

The day Tran Lap passed away, Tuan Hung’s belief in the existence of Buc Tuong dropped, there was a time when he was extremely sad. “I used to think that my music career and Buc Tuong’s had stopped here. Mr. Lap was Buc Tuong’s everything. He composed, sang the lead vocal, answered press interviews and guided the band’s path. For everyone, when mentioning Buc Tuong, they were mentioning Mr. Tran Lap,” he recalled.

The encouragement of the audience as well as the passion for music has kept Tuan Hung and the members of Buc Tuong. Over the past 9 years, the band has gradually returned to music with constant efforts and creativity. After successfully releasing the album Vol6 Con duong khong ten in November 2020 in collaboration with singer Pham Anh Khoa, Buc Tuong continued to release the album Vol7 Ba thang in April 2023 and received high reviews from experts and music listeners.

On October 27, 2024, Buc Tuong continued to impress by performing the concert Buc Tuong Unplugged - May Rain - the first unplugged rock concert in Vietnam. Despite his flourishing music career, Tuan Hung did not neglect his studies. He continued to complete his Master's program at the University of Construction, becoming a rare rocker with a master's degree.

On March 26, 2025 and March 29, 2025, Buc Tuong will organize a special event called We are the wall - 30 years of Buc Tuong in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to celebrate 30 years of operation. The program is performed by the Buc Tuong band and friends who have been with the band for many years.

Besides the 4 members Tuan Hung (guitarist/leader), Vu Van Ha (Guitarist), Tang Xuan Kien (Bassist), Pham Trung Hieu (Drummer), the stage will have the participation of guest artists: musician Luu Quang Minh, Meritorious Artist Co Huy Hung, Meritorious Artist Hoang Anh, singers Pham Anh Khoa, Duong Tran Nghia, Nguyen Viet Lam...

Tuan Hung in "5 Star Hotel":

Photo. clip: VTV, FBNV

Buc Tuong band member talks about loss and untold stories about leader Tran Lap Artist Tuan Hung - member of Buc Tuong band talks about loss and untold stories about leader Tran Lap in the program "5-star hotel" aired at noon on March 23.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/thac-si-nganh-kien-truc-la-thu-linh-buc-tuong-ke-chuyen-vay-tien-mc-long-vu-vtv-2383947.html