Who Is Tinna Tinh?

Tinna Tinh made her debut on Van Son 36 in Taiwan singing “Tra Lai Cho Toi,” a song she wrote during the night when remembering seeing a 13-14 year old that had orange skin poisoning and was without any arms and legs looking out from a dark room. Many of Tinna's songs are inspired by real life events. Her album “Chiec Guong” (Mirror) was released 2006 in March featuring Vietnamese song that she wrote including “Chiec Guong.”

Her real name is Tinna Dihova; she is part Czech (mother) and Vietnamese (father). Tinna won first place for her rendition of the song “Big Big World” by Emilia in a radio competition at the age of 14. When her parents divorced at 15, she was on her own juggling three jobs while studying in an art school. Tinna had already written three songs of her own at the time. Tinna is a singer and also a songwriter. She writes what she feels and sings it the way she wants. Tinna sings mostly songs she wrote, and so many people raised the question of whether anyone will know her if she only sings her songs. However for Tinna, the songs she writes mean a lot to her and a song she said should be compose of the means of life and truthfulness.

























In 2000, at 17 Tinna decided to go to Ha Noi, Vietnam in search of her father’s native place. Ha Noi was big struggle as Tinna live on small amount of pay from singing at a local cafe while learning Vietnamese. Besides having to deal with living in a strange place, and looked down upon as singer, Tinna was also looking to find herself in her journey. Life in the capital city was tough that she even didn’t have enough money for a bowl of noodles from the vendor on the street. And when she was able to afford one, it was like the best food she ever had and she drank up all of the soup. After living in Vietnam for a while Tinna had to returned to Czech Republic in 2002 because she was running out of money. Tinna continued working in Czech to save up some money to come back to Vietnam. In Ha Noi Tinna continue to work as a singer and was later introduced to sing at bigger bar place. In 2003 Tinna was discovered and starred in the movie, “Trò Đùa Của Thiên Lôi" (A Game of Thunder) that led her to win the title of the most promising young actress award. Soon many offers came but was turned because they were nude roles. However, Ha Noi did not provide much career opportunity and so a friend told her about Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City).

























Tinna went to Saigon to pursue her career and in deed Saigon was a better field for showbiz. Nevertheless in her early steps, there were hardships where she was trampled on. Tinna continued on and had better luck afterward. In Saigon, Tinna took vocal, mixing and guitar lessons as well. Part of her struggle is to become an artist and also an identity that she wants to create for herself. Yet one of the main motivation comes from her mother whom she made promised to that if she were not successful and able to help out her mom, she wouldn't return. In the end Tinna was able to carry out that promise and more. “When we do not know how to live life, we find it weary and troublesome. But when know how, life becomes simple, cheerful and beautiful.”

Many see Tinna as a rocker, squirming on stage and carrying on loose urchin kind of style. Inside Tinna is a singer and a person with layers of experience and understanding of life that she puts all into her music. Similar to many other struggling artists who found themselves in their hardship and voyage, Tinna was able to create for herself a distinctive style with personality true to self and perhaps a paradox that not many is able to see.

Credit to sources: Laodong, Nguoi-Viet, Dantri, Viettime, Vietbao, YeuthoiTrang, Suctrevietnam, nhacvietplus, xinhxinh, tintuconline, and vnexpress.net