Trịnh Thăng Bình, CHARLES, Thái VG, 14 Casper, Cheng joining Anh Trai Vượt Ngàn Chông Gai 2026

From pioneering figures of Vietnamese rap and hit-makers behind millions-streamed songs to young artists with strong musical individuality, the “Class of 2026” is gradually shaping a colorful and diverse lineup where every Anh Tài brings a unique identity and a strong desire to break through their limits.

1. Trịnh Thăng Bình: The “Storyteller of Love” Returns in His Most Elevated Version Yet

With 20 years of artistic activity, Trịnh Thăng Bình has become a familiar face in V-pop through his image as a multi-talented artist, working as a singer, songwriter, and actor. He won the “Promising Young Artist” award at Làn Sóng Xanh in 2011, achieved major success with Người Ấy by winning both “Song of the Year” and “Album of the Year” in 2013, and also made a strong impression in film by receiving the “Actor of the Year” award in 2018. His song Khác Biệt To Lớn later earned him the title of “R&B Song of the Year” in 2020.

Joining the Class of 2026, Trịnh Thăng Bình enters the program feeling both nervous and excited as this marks his first time participating in a long-format reality show. The artist revealed that his solo stage will serve as a nostalgic connection between himself and audiences, where the familiar image of Trịnh Thăng Bình through emotional love songs will be elevated with a fresher and more modern stage approach.

The singer shared: “I want to bring a version of Trịnh Thăng Bình that is truly Trịnh Thăng Bình - a songwriter of love songs, a storyteller through music — but elevated to an even higher level.”

2. CHARLES.: The Return of an Artist Who Tells Stories Through Emotion (Stage Name: CHARLES.)

CHARLES. (Huỳnh Phương Duy) is recognized for his refined musical style and emotionally rich songwriting ability. He first made a strong impression through music programs such as The Voice 2018 and later through the duo project CHICHA22, which led to impactful songs like Hỏa Ca and Trống Cơm — works that earned recognition at Làn Sóng Xanh and WeChoice Awards 2024.

For CHARLES., Anh Trai Vượt Ngàn Chông Gai 2026 represents a reunion with his own artistic identity after spending a long period away from the spotlight. The artist hopes audiences will discover a version of CHARLES. that is more grounded, calm, and authentic through both his voice and personal musical stories.

He shared emotionally: “This feels like a reunion stage with my artist self, my music, and my voice. I hope audiences will listen, embrace, and truly see who I am on stage.”

3. Thái VG: A Pioneer of Vietnamese Rap Stepping Beyond His Comfort Zone

As one of the pioneering artists who brought Vietnamese rap and hip-hop to international audiences early on, Thái VG is widely regarded as an influential icon for multiple generations of young rappers. He built a strong career in the United States during a time when hip-hop was still relatively unfamiliar in Vietnam, releasing three solo albums and establishing his own identity within the overseas Vietnamese hip-hop community before returning home to join Rap Việt, where he contributed to bringing rap culture closer to mainstream audiences.

By joining Anh Trai Vượt Ngàn Chông Gai 2026, Thái VG considers this a unique challenge as he steps outside of his English-language comfort zone for the first time to explore new musical colors. The rapper also hinted that his upcoming solo performance will reveal a side of him audiences have never seen before.

He shared excitedly: “Everyone knows I’ve been making hip-hop music for more than 20 years, but mostly in English. So this is a huge challenge for me to step outside of my comfort zone.”

4. 14 Casper: The “Melody Warrior” Ready to Enter the Battle

As one of the standout young artists of the new generation, 14 Casper has made a strong impression with his modern musical style, catchy melodic thinking, and versatility across rap, singing, and performance. He has achieved numerous notable accomplishments, including the “Best Collaboration” award at Làn Sóng Xanh 2022 and “Music of the Year” at TikTok Awards 2022. His album SỐ KHÔNG also surpassed 100 million streams on Spotify, while the song Bao Tiền Một Mớ Bình Yên? reached No.1 on the Spotify Viral 50 chart, becoming one of the signature hits associated with his name.

Joining Anh Trai Vượt Ngàn Chông Gai 2026, 14 Casper brings an exceptionally energetic spirit. The rapper humorously compared the program to a “martial arts tournament,” where each Anh Tài would showcase their most powerful “moves” to compete with one another. After nearly a year of preparation, he affirmed that he plans to display every skill he possesses - from rap, singing, and dancing to songwriting - in order to create an explosive solo performance.

14 Casper shared enthusiastically: “Basically, every skill I have, I’m bringing it all out for everyone to enjoy. I’ve spent so long training in the mountains, so why not show everything I’ve got, right?”

5. Cheng: The Runner-Up with a Desire to Break Through



After making a strong impression as the Runner-Up of Big Song Big Deal, Cheng has gradually become one of the most promising young faces recognized for his modern musical style and progressive mindset in both songwriting and performance.

Joining Anh Trai Vượt Ngàn Chông Gai 2026, Cheng sees the program as a valuable opportunity to step outside of his comfort zone, collaborate directly in music-making, and learn from artists he previously only knew through television and major hit songs. The artist revealed that his first solo performance will feel like a “friendly greeting” to audiences - carrying familiar elements while also unveiling a completely new side of himself.

For Cheng, the most meaningful aspect of this journey is not only competition, but also the chance to connect and grow alongside the other Anh Tài members. He sincerely shared: “Whether it’s collaboration or competition, to me, they are all valuable and meaningful lessons.”