Returning 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. Generation Z doesn't know Hong Hanh anymore.
Around the 1990s, the press nicknamed me "The Queen of Saigon Pop Music". I kept a few articles, and sometimes when I read them again, I still smile.
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 people shined. 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 original 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 motivating 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 her 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 rare 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. When the Lotus Troupe disbanded, I joined the Ho Chi Minh City Light Music Troupe and performed 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, and could have gone on an adventure, but my parents didn't 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 morality. 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, I don't think about money 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 price of gold and dollars. (laughs)
"Hoa vang may do" - one of the songs of 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 in business, just renting out my house.
Knows 3 languages, 61 years old, still young and beautiful without plastic surgery
- 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 make people feel that it is worth their time to meet me.
My appearance is completely natural, I bet no one can find me having had any injections in my face! I gained weight after giving birth so I had to go to the gym. I have been exercising ever since.
At this age, I don't exercise heavily, I just maintain light gym, yoga and cycling that are suitable for my physical condition. In addition, I cook for myself according to a healthy diet.
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. In addition, I know a little French due to my family background.
If I don't listen to English, I can listen to music and have a 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 go any further
- After the divorce, you are still alone, are you lonely?
I don't need a man to be around all the time. Maybe because I'm strong, I know what I need, what makes me lonely and happy.
In my heart, I have 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 for myself, 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 a person's 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
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