Cambodian rapper VannDa was greeted with a hero’s welcome this morning, August 14, as he returned home following his groundbreaking performance at the Paris Olympics closing ceremony on August 11. 

The nation’s pride was on full display as former Minister of Tourism Thong Khon, president of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC), and NOCC secretary-general Vath Chamroeun welcomed the artist at Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH).

"As the host, France has bestowed two great honours upon Cambodia. Despite our small number of athletes, they provided us with a beautiful boat for the parade, and having Cambodian rapper VannDa perform at the Olympics’ closing ceremony is a tremendous honour for Cambodia, especially as our music industry is still developing," Khon told reporters at the airport.

"This reflects the international Olympic policy that encourages and supports developing countries," Khon said.

On behalf of the NOCC, he expressed his gratitude to VannDa for bringing tremendous distinction to the country through his participation in various national and international sports events.

"VannDa's presence at the closing ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics has drawn significant attention to the global Olympic movement, particularly the Cambodian Olympic movement," Khon stated. "This serves as a major motivator for our youth, especially those passionate about rap music, which is a big interest among today's young generation. It’s noteworthy that the French Olympics also featured a break-dancing competition."

VannDa expressed immense pride in representing Cambodia on the international stage by showcasing the Cambodian flag and language at the Summer Olympics.

"I don’t know how many more years we will have the chance to be part of such an event because opportunities like this come once in a lifetime," he said. "This might only happen once, so it's a great personal achievement for me and a significant honour for our nation. I see this as a big win and look forward to more exciting opportunities in the future."

VannDa shared his happiness and expressed his gratitude to the leaders for their congratulations, particularly thanking Khon for personally welcoming him back.

Holding the microphone to sing "Time to Rise", which he chose to perform solo after parting ways with his former partner, VannDa remarked that the song was perfectly suited for the Olympics.

"This is something significant I’ve done for Lork Kru [Master Kong Nay]. Before performing, I dedicated the performance to him, telling him that his grandson has done something special for the master, and I brought him a souvenir. I hope he will be happy with what I’ve accomplished here,” he said.

VannDa, whose real name is Mann VannDa, has rapidly risen to prominence as one of Cambodia’s most influential musical artists.

Known for his unique style that blends traditional Khmer musical elements with contemporary rap, his work has resonated with both domestic and international audiences.

His hit song "Time to Rise" has amassed over 123 million views on YouTube, serving as an anthem of resilience and cultural pride for the Cambodian people.

Laura Mam, CEO of Baramey Production, spoke to fans and reporters, saying, "I am very proud of Baramey Production, for both myself and VannDa. What makes me happiest is the representation of Khmer heritage when he was on the stage."

With excitement, Mam continued, "Today is a very successful day, and I hope that we Cambodians will see VannDa's achievement and know that we can accomplish great things.”

She expressed her gratitude to the leaders, the team and all their supporters. She acknowledged that Cambodians have great music and culture but admitted she never expected a Cambodian artist to perform at the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics.

"I never thought it was possible, and I believe our dreams are getting bigger and bigger," she said. "For me, this is especially meaningful because it was my mom's birthday, and she truly loves our Khmer art."

VannDa also took to social media to express his gratitude, writing, "First of all, I would like to thank [Samdech Hun Manet]. As an artist representing Baramey Productions and our entire team, we are very proud to be invited to perform on behalf of Cambodia at the closing ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France."

He also shared a separate message thanking Senate president Hun Sen for his congratulations and appreciation.