Her luck changed when a friend invited her to work for the youth movement and join the Labor Theatre House, a Vietnamese club for young singers.

In 1993, she joined the singing group "Tam ca Sao Dem" (The Night Star Trio) and had the opportunity to be heard by songwriter Bao Phuc.

From that time, Thanh received guidance from Bao Phuc, who trained her to be a successful singer - teaching music and performance techniques as well as fashion classes.

With songs like "Giã Từ Dĩ Vãng" (Farewell to the past), "Trống Vắng" (Emptiness), "Tình Cờ" (Unexpected), "Xin Làm Người Hát Rong", one of Phuong Thanh's more emotional ballads, "Còn Mãi Mùa Đông" (Everlasting Winter) and "Khi Giấc Mơ Về" (When dreams come) started airing on Vietnamese radio, listeners started to adore Phuong Thanh and she was gained wide acclaim, soon performing live in many venues.

Sometimes Thanh surprises the audience by a storm debut, and other times she is calm, dressed as an ordinary girl with faded jeans and provocative T-shirts.

Despite her rather unsophisticated outfits on stage, Phuong Thanh has made a name for herself in the music business and the Vietnamese community alike.

In 2003, she and many other Vietnamese singers, most of whom being friends of Thanh, agreed to sign a petition against unfair treatment of homosexuals and disadvantaged people such as prostitutes.

Thanh has spoken about her experience with this issue on many occasions: "One day, I sang the song "Khi Giấc Mơ Về" (When dreams come) at a lounge; there was this prostitute who gave me flowers and cried.

Many in the Vietnamese community admire Phuong Thanh not just for her singing, but for her bravery in often risking her reputation to speak her mind about important social issues.