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For over a year Cuc has been learning trendy Vpop songs every evening after dinner. When she encounters a difficult segment, her 23-year-old son, Bao Luan, assists her.
He also records, choreographs, edits and uploads her videos, which have been going viral.
Cuc is a resident of Tu Ky District in northern Hai Duong Province. She spent her life farming and working as a labourer to raise her son and has no formal training in music. Despite this, she enjoys the catchy and appealing melodies of modern music and has memorised numerous songs by famous artists like Son Tung MTP, Hoang Thuy Linh and Tang Duy Tan.
She even raps short segments.
She tells VnExpress: "I know my voice isn't exceptional, but I hope to bring joy and entertainment to viewers. Learning and appreciating young music has also brought my son and me closer."
On June 10 their video of "Don’t Hurt My Heart" got 14 million views on TikTok. Video by TikTok channel "Me Con Co Cuc"
Her music career began in 2018 when she was bedridden with a slipped disc.
After her husband's death, the family relied on her son Luan, a former professional swimmer based in Da Nang, who returned home to care for her and opened a home recording studio for a living.
Cuc had spinal surgery, and was bedridden for two years. Worried she might get depressed, Luan bought her a smartphone and taught her how to use social media. One day she heard Son Tung MTP's "You Of Yesterday" and began singing along.
Luan was surprised to hear her sing the entire song and persuaded her to record it as a keepsake. Initially, she was hesitant, fearing ridicule. However, she reluctantly agreed.
"When alone, I can sing the whole song, but in front of a microphone or camera, I go blank and need many takes to finish," she says.
Luan uploaded the completed video on social media and she did not expect much, but it unexpectedly garnered over 600,000 views and thousands of positive comments within hours.
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Cuc and Bao Luan practicing at home in Tu Ky, Hai Duong Province, in June 2024,. Photo by Cuc and Bao Luan |
After this success, Cuc practiced more Vpop songs popular with youngsters but did not record them due to shyness and her son's busy schedule.
At the start of 2023 their first hit resurfaced online, and Luan hinted he wanted to keep singing with his mom.
Besides bringing joy and creating a bonding between mother and son, he also hoped it would spread positivity and optimism among viewers.
She fully supported his idea.
Cuc chooses songs she liked and asks him to print the lyrics, and learns them within days. The duo then shoot videos and upload them. But things do not go smoothly every time because sometimes Cuc forgets the lyrics or the right facial expressions or her movements don’t match the music, requiring them to start over.
"My mother is meticulous, always identifying mistakes and insisting on retakes until she is satisfied," Luan says.
Luan and his mother practicing the song "One Drunken Night" by Thinh Suy in mid-2024. Video by TikTok channel "Me Con Co Cuc"
Their social media page now has over 160,000 followers and two million likes.
Strangers often recognise them in public, surprised by her ability to sing modern music beautifully.
Young viewers admire their relationship and aspire for similar connections with their families.
"Opening up to your parents can help remove the generation gap, worries and distance with them," Luan says.
Cuc also gets some negative comments online. She welcomes constructive feedback and makes adjustments but ignores rude remarks to avoid disputes.
Reflecting on her two years in bed, she credits singing for her quick recovery. She is now mobile, helps with household chores, and feels happier.
Speaking about their future plans, they say they intend to continue with pop songs.
Besides spreading positivity, Cuc also wants to send a message to older adults: "As long as you have dreams and nurture your interests, you can pursue your passions at any age. Don’t let age hinder your aspirations."
