Vietnamese singer Suni Ha Linh Photo: Courtesy of Mango TV

At the ongoing Ride the Wind 2024,MKsport a popular Chinese reality show featuring over 30 female contestants from various countries and cultural backgrounds, Vietnamese singer Suni Hạ Linh has emerged as one of the breakout stars. She has won audiences' hearts not only with her powerful vocals but also with her impressive dance skills and fluent Chinese, or Putonghua. 

Long before she participated in the show, her hit song "Cứ Chill Thôi," which means "relax yourself" had already gone viral on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, becoming a favorite background track for countless short videos. Suni also presented the song accompanied by highly difficult aerial yoga during her debut on the show. 

"I know that the song is very popular in China, but the Chinese audiences probably don't know who the singer is. So I want to introduce it as a song sung by me and share its message, which is something I deeply resonate with. 'Relax yourself' is a message I want to share with everyone," Suni told the Global Times.

Many Chinese fans flock to her social media profiles expressing their support and admiration for her, with some saying they didn't realize that the background music they've been using for a long time was originally sung by Suni.

"To see Chinese audiences support and notice my craft and my art makes me very happy. It is heart-warming whenever I see a supportive comment or hear encouraging words in person. Their love and support give me the strength to continue," she said.

During a recent exclusive interview with the Global Times, Suni shared her love for Chinese music, dramas, food, and the Chinese people, how she learned Putonghua, and the importance of art in bridging the gap between China and Vietnam.

Vietnamese singer Suni Ha Linh Photo: Courtesy of Mango TV

A devotee of Chinese culture

Throughout the competition, Suni has showcased her talent by performing multiple Chinese songs with precision in pronunciation and finesse in dance moves. Behind the scenes, she can be seen chatting in Putonghua with her teammates, a skill she mastered for three years when she was in high school. 

When asked why she chose to learn Putonghua, Suni said it stemmed from her love for Chinese music. "I was so in love with Chinese music," she said.

Despite being fluent in Vietnamese, Korean, and English, Suni admits that mastering Putonghua has been most challenging. "I think Putonghua and Vietnamese have a lot in common because we do have Chinese characters, and there are many words in Vietnamese that come from Putonghua. I love writing Chinese characters and learning new words from watching movies and TV dramas without subtitles," she shared.

Thanks to numerous Chinese TV dramas broadcast in Vietnam, Suni has had a consistent avenue to learn the language. Suni cited dramas like Story of Yanxi Palace, Eternal Love, and Scarlet Heart as some of her favorites.

During her time in Changsha, Central China's Hunan Province, where the show is recorded, she also sampled local delicacies like Choudoufu, or fermented tofu, and crayfish. Suni expressed her desire to explore the flavors of various parts of China, including Southwest China's Sichuan and Yunnan provinces.

Despite music, dramas and food, Suni says what she loves most is the "Chinese people." 

"When I came to China, I found the Chinese people were very smart, hardworking, and easy-going."

'Happy to meet new friends'

Besides, through her months of practice and living in Changsha, Suni has made many friends, including fellow contestants such as Han Xue and Chen Haoyu. "I really treasure what I have with them. I'm very happy to meet new friends."

"I think the cultural exchange between China and Vietnam is very important. It's like me being on the show and meeting sisters from China and other countries. As human beings, we need to connect, collaborate, and support each other," Suni emphasized.

Suni is not the first Vietnamese performer to participate in a Chinese reality show. In 2023, Vietnamese singer and actress Chi Pu was the first Vietnamese contestant on Ride the Wind 2023, earning high praise for her singing and performance skills. 

Before joining this year's showcase, Suni sought advice from Chi Pu on handling the pressures of the competition. "She told me to focus on what I want to do on the show and not to be swayed by other comments. Her words helped me feel better, and I'm very thankful to her," Suni told the Global Times.

In 2023, Ride the Wind 2023 was broadcast in Vietnam and was well-received by local audiences, leading to the creation of a Vietnamese version. In October 2023, the Vietnamese edition of Ride the Wind officially aired on Vietnam Television, ­featuring some top Vietnamese celebrities.

The popularity of Chinese TV dramas in Vietnam dates back to the 1980s and 1990s, with shows like Journey to the West, My Fair Princess, Yongzheng Dynasty, and Expectation becoming household names, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

The impact of Chinese culture on Vietnam continues till today, with many Chinese dramas and movies, such as ­Empresses in the Palace and The Long Season, broadcast in the country. There are even dedicated subtitle groups to translate them for local viewers. Many Vietnamese songs, including Suni's, are also popular on Chinese short video platforms. 

"What we exchange sincerely and deeply promotes a better understanding between our countries and brings people closer together. By learning from each other, we can foster a stronger and more meaningful connection," Suni said.