Tún Cúi Bắp: The scrap collector in Ca Mau became a TikToker with millions of views

The TikToker channel of Tun Cui Bap is a special phenomenon of Vietnamese social networks. With more than 4.7 million followers on TikTok and more than 307 thousand subscribers on YouTube, each video of the channel reaches from 1 to 3 million views, even higher.

In the era of strong social networking development, where everyone can become a "star" with just a phone, the story of Nguyen Chi Nguyen, a young man from Ca Mau with the nickname "Tún Cúi Bắp" is even more special.

He did not come to TikTok with a flashy appearance or a methodical communication strategy. He started from the days of collecting scrap metal, working as a worker and a technology driver. However, with determination and belief, he wrote an inspirational journey: from zero to a TikToker with millions of followers, loved by millions of viewers.

Difficult childhood and journey to make a living everywhere

Nguyen Chi Nguyen was born into a poor family in the land of Ca Mau at the end of the country. His childhood was associated with hard work and deprivation, and he had to become independent early to support his parents. Without the opportunity to study, Nguyen left his hometown for the city at a very young age, starting a series of hard days of making a living with various jobs: from collecting scrap metal, selling lottery tickets, working in a wood workshop to driving a motorbike taxi.

"There were days when I drove for dozens of hours on the road, just hoping to have enough money for food and rent. Sometimes I had to collect scrap metal to make up for living expenses. But no matter how hard it was, I still believed that if I kept trying, one day my life would change," he confided.

Those years of manual labor have trained Nguyen to be persistent, hard-working and determined. He always cherished the desire to have a stable job, to be able to support himself and help those around him.

Changed life thanks to... "bad hair"

Nguyen Chi Nguyen's story of stepping into the path of content creation began with... a bad haircut. "Once when I went to get a haircut, my hair was so bad that I had to wear a cap to sleep. I recorded a clip and posted it on TikTok just for fun, but unexpectedly, people noticed because of my humorous and honest way of talking," Nguyen recounted.

From an impromptu video, the Ca Mau boy gradually found new joy and passion. His subsequent clips did not need a sophisticated script, simply sharing daily life, mixed with a bit of humor and naturalness - yet made viewers laugh and feel close.

"At first, I didn't think anyone would watch or care. But when I saw people leaving cute comments and encouraging me to do more, I was motivated to continue. I thought if I could make others happy with just simple things, why not try?" - he said.

Having no formal training and coming to TikTok by chance, Nguyen Chi Nguyen has faced many mixed opinions. When he first started creating content, he received many sarcastic and derogatory comments, some even sarcastically saying: "I don't understand what crazy thing you're doing."

Nguyen admitted that it was the most difficult period of his journey. "There were times when I really wanted to give up. But then I thought again, if I stopped now, I would never know what I could have done. I chose to see all criticism as motivation to try harder."

Through perseverance and a spirit of progress, Nguyen gradually learned how to film and edit clips, and practiced speaking in front of the camera. He was not afraid to make mistakes, nor did he hide his initial clumsiness – that is what made the audience love him, because they saw in him the sincerity and determination of an ordinary person who dared to dream.

"Stupid" - positive energy from simple things

Currently, Nguyen Chi Nguyen's TikTok channel - "Tún Cúi Bắp" - has more than 1.4 million followers, tens of millions of views and 600,000 followers on Facebook. He not only makes the audience laugh with funny clips but also inspires with his own life story.

What's special is that most of Nguyen's content is not scripted. He often records genuine moments in life - when going to work, when meeting friends or even when in trouble - all with a close, natural color. "I don't want to pretend or create a perfect image. I just want to be myself - a person who used to collect scrap metal, used to struggle to make a living but always loves life," he shared.

Thanks to that, each clip of Tun Cui Bap carries positive energy, helping viewers feel happier and more optimistic. Someone once texted him to thank him because "thanks to watching your videos, I feel life is more relaxed, even if I'm tired today, I still have a reason to smile."

Being famous on social networks not only brings Nguyen Chi Nguyen a stable income but also opens up many new opportunities. He can support himself, support his family and even create jobs for those around him.

"Since becoming a content creator, my life has changed a lot. Not only do I have an income to cover my expenses, I can also help others - something I only dared to wish for before," Nguyen said emotionally.

More importantly, those who used to laugh at him have now changed their perspective. They no longer see content creation as a "useless game" but have started to support, encourage and even give him feedback to help him improve.

When asked about his future plans, Tun Cui Bap said he wants to continue learning and developing himself to become a professional content creator. "I want to build an image of a young person who is always optimistic and knows how to rise up no matter where he starts. If what I do can make someone feel more motivated to live, then that is the greatest success," he said.

Nguyen plans to expand the channel's content, incorporate more meaningful topics about life and work, and spread the humane message: "No matter how small the beginning is, as long as you persevere, anyone can do great things."

Recently, Tun Cui Bap received the "Impressive Video of the Year" award at the TikTok Awards Vietnam 2025. This is a milestone that proves Nguyen Chi Nguyen's tireless efforts over the past time.

Nguyen Chi Nguyen's story is not only the journey of a successful TikToker, but also a testament to the power of determination and self-belief. In the digital age, where everyone can shine, Tun Cui Bap chose a different path: using honesty and positive energy to touch the hearts of viewers.

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