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Throughout the 2026 Beautiful Living Youth Awards gala in Vietnam, sudden, involuntary sounds could occasionally be heard from the audience. Yet it was when Dinh Viet Tuong stepped onto the stage that those present truly came to appreciate his determination.
Despite experiencing repeated involuntary movements and considerable difficulty speaking, the young man persevered in sharing his story, earning admiration for his resilience and positive outlook on life.
Born in 2002 in central Vietnam's Quang Tri province, Tuong lives with Tourette syndrome, a neurological condition characterised by involuntary movements and sounds known as tics.
Having experienced discrimination and bullying, he has nevertheless continued pursuing his passion for the performing arts.
In 2025, Tuong touched audiences with his appearance on Tan binh toan nang, a Vietnamese reality television music competition. He reached the Top 100 and attracted attention for his singing and dancing abilities.
In 2026, he took on the role of Nhan, a young man with a disability who becomes trapped in a cross-border scam operation, in the Vietnamese film Trai buon nguoi (The Journey of Heroes).
Through the role, he hoped to help raise awareness of human trafficking, a serious issue affecting numerous countries.
Beyond his work in entertainment, Tuong has become a digital content creator known for spreading positive messages.
His TikTok account has reached one million followers and accumulated 27 million likes, providing a platform where he shares his personal journey and encourages young people, particularly those living with disabilities.
He has also participated in numerous music and television programmes and actively supported activities organised by the Vietnam Youth Federation.
In 2025, the federation's central committee honoured him through its Toa sang Nghi luc Viet programme, which recognises young Vietnamese people who demonstrate extraordinary determination in overcoming adversity.
Last September, Tuong assumed another responsibility when he became a member of the Central Committee of the ninth-term Vietnam Youth Federation.
He was nominated as a digital content creator, an outstanding young person with a disability and a 2025 recipient of the federation's recognition for resilience.
Most recently, he was selected as one of 15 outstanding individuals to receive the 2026 Beautiful Living Youth Award from the Vietnam Youth Federation.
The award recognises young people whose actions and contributions have made a positive difference to their communities.
Speaking at the ceremony, Tuong said he felt deeply happy and grateful for the affection, acceptance and encouragement he had received from others.
"Standing here at the Beautiful Living Youth Awards is an enormous honour for me," he said. "More than anything, I feel grateful. Grateful to be alive, to have been born, to have the opportunity to contribute, to take on challenges and to share my own journey."
Tuong expressed hope that his story could reflect the spirit of Vietnamese youth who dare to dream and have the courage to act.
He also shared a message that has remained particularly meaningful to him throughout his life.
"If we had never struggled through the mud, we might never understand how something as beautiful as a lotus flower can grow from it," he said. "No road to success is entirely covered in roses, but no hardship lasts forever. When we believe in ourselves, recognise our own worth and keep making an effort, one day that determination will be rewarded."
Tuong acknowledged that he might not yet have achieved anything extraordinary by conventional standards.
What mattered to him, however, was that he had found the courage to take action and step beyond his own comfort zone.
He hopes his experiences can offer encouragement to other young people navigating their own difficulties.
"If today feels too exhausting, allow yourself to get some sleep and try again tomorrow," he said. "There is still a whole sky ahead of you."
Thanh Hung
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