Tung Yuki, a veteran with 30 years of experience in the bodyguard industry, shares behind-the-scenes stories from his long career protecting famous celebrities in Vietnam's entertainment industry.
Editor’s note: The more famous the artist, the greater the need for personal security - often requiring more than one bodyguard, especially at crowded public events. Many celebrities are willing to spend tens of thousands of dollars to hire personal bodyguards, some of whom become like family over the years. These guards are not only physically strong and quick-witted, but also carry a deep sense of responsibility, dedication, and above all, discretion when it comes to the stars’ private lives. VietNamNet launches a special feature on celebrity bodyguards in Vietnam and around the world to give readers a glimpse into this unique profession.
Tung Yuki began working in security in 1995, founding his first protection services company. As of now, the business has been running for 30 years.
His company employs 2,500 staff members and is considered one of the leading security service providers in Vietnam.
The company's specialty is providing security for individuals, teams, and events that involve both domestic and international celebrities.
Most recently, Tung Yuki’s team was in charge of security for the concert series Anh trai vuot ngan chong gai, which attracted tens of thousands of attendees each night.
The man who knows the stars’ deepest secrets
Bodyguard and actor Van Tung (stage name: Tung Yuki).
Tung Yuki has been a trusted “human shield” for singer My Tam and has also protected major international stars such as Louis Koo, Fann Wong, Bi Rain, Han Ga In, Girls’ Generation, So Ji Sub, Jang Dong Gun, CL (2NE1), and BlackPink during their visits to Vietnam.
At every event, he maintains a professional demeanor, ensuring the safety of the artists while not creating tension or discomfort for surrounding fans.
According to Tung Yuki, Vietnam does not yet offer formal training programs for bodyguards. Most learn through mentorship and on-the-job experience.
The selection process for celebrity bodyguards is extremely rigorous. Out of every group of ten candidates, only one or two are deemed suitable for the job.
Beyond physical criteria such as height, weight, and strength, candidates must possess professional training, refined behavior, and a keen sense of discretion.
Most bodyguards must have good physical conditioning and be trained in at least one form of martial arts. They must also have excellent emotional control while working.
Calmness is crucial, as it allows bodyguards to develop the habits of observation, quick reaction, and appropriate handling of any unexpected or dangerous situations the artist may encounter.
Tung Yuki accompanying international celebrities during their visits to Vietnam.
Being a celebrity bodyguard involves closely following the client, regardless of time or location. Many jokingly refer to it as the profession that “holds all the backstage secrets” of the stars.
Thus, maintaining the privacy of clients is vital. Leaking sensitive information that could affect their personal or professional lives is strictly unacceptable.
“No celebrity wants a bodyguard who gossips or pries. That kind of behavior poses serious risks,” Tung Yuki explained.
A bodyguard must know when to step back
For decades, Tung Yuki has run his company with a strong emphasis on work culture.
He prioritizes hiring people with good character and personally trains them, believing that ethics are more important than money in this line of work.
“This profession is about discipline and emotion. If someone with a violent nature is hired, it can be dangerous. I don’t care how much money I make. What matters is that people respect the role of a bodyguard,” he said.
Tung Yuki accompanying My Tam at events.Tung Yuki believes current wages for bodyguards in Vietnam remain low despite the workload.
Photos: HK, Archives
From time to time, he shares news articles or social media posts about bodyguards getting into fights or behaving badly with his team, using them as lessons to avoid similar mistakes.
Seemingly minor actions like smoking or spitting are strictly forbidden, as they could tarnish the artist’s image.
Bodyguards must also know when to draw boundaries with their celebrity clients.
In crowded public events, they may remain physically close to protect the artist, but once the event ends and the setting becomes private, they must be mindful not to overstep.
Tung Yuki recounted how after each of My Tam’s shows, he would escort her back to her hotel. However, he would only accompany her to the lobby or corridor - never entering her personal space.
“Once I’ve ensured Tam is safe or her assistant is present, I immediately step away. This protects both her image and mine,” he shared.
“Even unintentional actions, if caught on camera, can be twisted into harmful rumors,” he added.
Fees for bodyguards are typically negotiated through contracts with strict confidentiality clauses.
When working with international artists, payment is usually made in US dollars. These jobs come with higher pay but also demand more responsibility and stricter standards from the celebrity's team.
Today, most artists hire bodyguards on an hourly basis. When they attend events, shows, or crowded public areas, they are protected throughout.
If artists go on tour, bodyguard fees increase to cover travel, accommodation, and other expenses, depending on the agreement.
Nonetheless, Tung Yuki believes bodyguard salaries in Vietnam are still too low, especially compared to international standards. It’s a longstanding concern for him.
Compared to a decade ago, he believes the security industry in Vietnam has declined significantly. He attributes this to companies prioritizing profits over quality, leading to loose recruitment and frequent mishaps.
“Back then, there were only four major security companies - mine and three others, split between the North and South. Now, there are nearly 500.”
“This has caused excessive competition and a degradation of industry standards. The term ‘bodyguard’ is being overused and misrepresented,” he lamented.
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