Singer Hong Hanh is still young and beautiful at 61, and owns a million dollar house.

Return at 61

- Why did you release an album at the age of 61?

61 years old sounds like a "loser", right? Singers of the generation after me like My Linh are 50 years old now. Generation Z doesn't know Hong Hanh anymore.

Around the 1990s, the press nicknamed me "The Queen of Saigon's Pop Music". I kept a few articles, and sometimes I still smile when I read them.

Our generation was a deprived generation. Saigon in the 1980s and 1990s was not like it is now. But thanks to that, the inner strength of the people shone through. I worked hard and succeeded without any launching pad.

Even when I was young, Trinh Cong Son took the initiative to come to me, but I never looked for any famous musicians to sing with.

When I returned to the songs in Love you, blue sea , I still kept the same Saigon essence.

Singer Hong Hanh's appearance at age 61. Photo: Loan Le

At this age, I do art according to the criteria: quality, selective but also give myself joy and peace. And I believe the audience always recognizes the true value of music .

I also made the album with the hope of giving more motivation to art lovers who have gone through ups and downs and are losing their passion for the profession.

I am a woman who knows how to take care of the family and knows the price of gold and the price of dollars.

- Looking back on decades of work, what are you proud of?

At the age of 12 - grade 7, I was taught vocal music, became the choir leader of the People's Arts House and performed on many big stages, including the Ho Chi Minh City Opera House.

I had a hard-earned youth. In my early 20s, I sang with the Lotus troupe from North to South.

In 1986, I also joined the shock troops to perform for soldiers in Cambodia. The Lotus Troupe disbanded, I joined the Ho Chi Minh City Light Music Troupe, and was able to perform in 4 Eastern European countries.

When she was young, Hong Hanh used to sing for soldiers from the Cambodian battlefield to the Truong Sa archipelago. Photo: NVCC

My family is very conservative. The year Mr. Son (musician Trinh Cong Son - PV) came to my house to invite me to record the album Hey, Do You Remember ?, I was only 25-26 years old, still single, could have gone on an adventure but my parents did not allow it.

My grandparents were very strict and did not allow their daughter to sleep overnight in strange places or do anything that went against public morals. Therefore, in my relationship with Mr. Son, I was very careful in everything I did, not to cause any scandal.

- How is your business?

Thanks to business, I have the finances I have now, but I always keep in mind: music is the profession - what my parents passed down, business only supports art.

At this age, money doesn't matter to me anymore. Artists who go into the studio with numbers in their heads can't sing well.

For many years, I have been less visible but still live well thanks to my ability to manage. I am the type of woman who knows how to take care of her family and also knows the value of gold and dollars. (laughs)

"The yellow flowers last a long time" - one of the songs by the late musician Trinh Cong Son associated with the voice of Hong Hanh

Buying a house is also a matter of fate. There were a few houses I intended to buy to live in but ended up having to sell, luckily I always made a profit.

Currently, I am no longer doing business, just renting out the house.

Knows 3 languages, 61 years old, no plastic surgery, still young and beautiful

- At 61 years old, you are still young and full of energy. What is your secret?

At home, I allow myself to be a little rough, but when I go out, I have to be neat. I want the energy I bring to the table to make people feel that it is worth their time to meet me.

My appearance is completely natural, I bet no one can find anything I have ever injected into my face! I gained weight after giving birth so I started going to the gym. I have been exercising ever since.

At this age, I don't do heavy exercise, just maintain light gym, yoga and cycling suitable for my physical condition. In addition, I cook healthy meals for myself.

I love the sea so I bought a piece of land next to Long Hai beach and designed a container house. Every time I go back there, my life only revolves around swimming and relaxing.

Hong Hanh lives a leisurely life in her old age. Photo: Loan Le

How is your day?

If I don't have work, I will take my Husky for a walk a few kilometers instead of walking for exercise, cleaning the house. I often combine learning English while cooking or cycling on the treadmill.

I am old and afraid of forgetting English, so I listen to it every day. As for Japanese, I have an intermediate degree and only review it when needed. Besides, I know a little French because of my family background.

If I don't listen to English, I can listen to music and have pen and paper ready to write down good songs that are suitable for recording.

Every day when I wake up, I remind myself to be grateful for being alive and healthy. Every single thing I do, from getting out of bed, to making coffee in the kitchen, to walking around the house... makes me happy.

Many people out there preach about happiness but may not feel true happiness in such small moments.

Hong Hanh's latest photo set taken during the album "Love you blue sea". Photo: NVCC

Will not remarry

- After the divorce you are still alone, are you lonely?

I don't need a man by my side all the time. Maybe because I'm strong, I know what I need, what makes me lonely and happy.

In my heart, I never thought of remarrying. If I did, I just needed a friend to talk to and share life with. More than anyone, I understand how difficult it is to love and marry an artist.

Artists live with passion, desire, even want to die on stage one day. If you don't understand them thoroughly, you can't accompany them.

Now that my son has graduated and is working, I only think about being responsible for myself, living a happy and peaceful life, doing what I like.

Hong Hanh wants the last chapter of her life to be peaceful, doing only what she likes. Photo: Loan Le

When I was young, I loved a lot, traveled a lot, and socialized widely. At this age, I do the least amount of work, but all of it is the most important, so I invest my time wisely. Anything that is useless and a waste of time, I put aside.

I find my return at the age of 61 very precious. How many 10 years are there in life?

- What do you wish for in the last chapter of your life?

If life is a journey of "I find myself", music is also a path where you can never stop practicing and creating. I want to sing until the end of that journey. My dream is to have a live show to end my career - where I can sing hits with my loved ones.

Audio "By your side is the vast ocean"

Singer Hong Hanh announced her divorce from her businessman husband, who is 18 years older than her. Singer Hong Hanh and Japanese businessman Kondo Koji officially divorced 10 years after filing.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/ca-si-hong-hanh-tuoi-61-van-tre-dep-so-huu-nha-trieu-do-2400695.html