The arduous journey of 'billionaire singer' Ha Phuong from the US back to Vietnam to celebrate Tet.

Singer Ha Phuong shared about her supportive billionaire husband, her longing for her profession after many years, and her dream of developing Vietnamese musical theater after her New Year's Eve mini-concert in Ho Chi Minh City.

Two months of preparation for a dream of Vietnamese musical theater.

On the evening of the 29th of Tet (Lunar New Year) in Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Phuong – dubbed the "billionaire singer" – held a special mini-concert and watched fireworks to welcome the new year with family and friends. Speaking with VietNamNet, the singer said she spent two months preparing for the show, and the most difficult part wasn't the music itself, but rather developing the musical script.

Ha Phuong in the musical she's preparing for her mini-concert.

Ha Phuong expressed her wish that Vietnam would have musicals for international audiences to enjoy, as this art form is popular abroad.

The preparation process was quite challenging, as she had to choose songs that were both melodious and relevant to the script. Ha Phuong came up with the story herself, then discussed it with writer Nguyen Thi Minh Ngoc to develop it into a complete work. Combining acting and singing required her to practice repeatedly with the participating artists to ensure a smooth and natural transition between spoken and sung segments.

A tiring journey from the US to Vietnam to celebrate Tet (Lunar New Year).

Ha Phuong revealed that she returned to Vietnam urgently. Previously, she had been invited to be a judge on a children's singing program but had to postpone it until the summer because she was afraid of being away from home too much. However, when she accepted an invitation to participate in a VTV Tet gala at the last minute, she had to fly back to Vietnam immediately to prepare for both programs.

Singer Ha Phuong in her mini-concert "Welcoming the New Year".

Upon returning, she immediately plunged into a whirlwind of work. She handled costumes, outfits, recording, dance practice, and a host of other tasks in a short period. After completing the Lunar New Year gala, she continued to focus on the mini-concert. Ha Phuong said that the musical part was easier, but the musical theater script was the most demanding because it required practice, as it involved speaking and singing simultaneously, and transitioning between segments, making it difficult to flow smoothly.

Organized on New Year's Eve, Ha Phuong wanted to perform many songs but had to cut back on several acts so that the audience could get home in time to celebrate New Year's Eve with their families. Even her parents rushed home after watching the show to celebrate the New Year's Eve moment. Her older sister Cam Ly and younger sister Minh Tuyet were also performing elsewhere at the same time, so they couldn't fly back in time to attend.

Sharing her feelings about reuniting with colleagues after many years, Ha Phuong expressed her happiness at meeting fellow artists from the 90s – people who greatly appreciated her and readily participated in the program. She also collaborated with young film actors, creating a unique multi-generational combination for the musical segment.

Singers Tran Sang and Ha Phuong sing "Hoa cau vuon trau" (Areca flowers in the betel garden):

Nostalgia for the profession and the decision to return after many years.

Speaking about her feelings about returning to music , Ha Phuong couldn't hide her joy, as it had been so many years since she had fulfilled her dream of singing again. She patiently waited until her daughter went to university before daring to return to her profession. There were times when she wanted to "give up" and just sing, but then she told herself she had to persevere and wait.

Composer Tran Quang Hien and Mrs. Cam Van - parents of singer Ha Phuong.

Upon receiving the news that her daughter had been directly admitted to university, Ha Phuong was overjoyed to be able to return to singing. The singer affirmed that her husband had never forbidden her from singing, but she proactively dedicated time to her family because she understood that her husband worked a lot, and her performances in the US usually took place on Saturdays and Sundays.

Ha Phuong revealed that she initially planned to hold a large live show, but needed many new songs to reach younger audiences. They only knew her as Minh Tuyet's sister and Cam Ly's younger sister, not that Ha Phuong used to be a singer. Therefore, when friends and musician Hoai An advised her to hold a mini-concert, she thought it made sense to see the audience's reaction, as this was her return after a long absence.

Last year, she went to Nguyen Hue Street to watch the New Year's Eve fireworks and loved the atmosphere there, so she came up with the idea to do a mini live show. After the show, Ha Phuong was satisfied: "Maybe it's just my passion! I really enjoyed singing!" after decades of not appearing on major music stages in the country.

Singer Ha Phuong wishes VietNamNet readers a Happy New Year:

Photos, videos : HM

"Billionaire singer" Ha Phuong reveals her entire family on television for the first time. Billionaire singer Ha Phuong, along with Tran Sang and Thai San, took a retro ao dai photoshoot on Ho Chi Minh City's Metro Line 1 to celebrate the Lunar New Year 2025.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/hanh-trinh-vat-va-tu-my-ve-viet-nam-don-tet-cua-ca-si-ty-phu-ha-phuong-2491229.html