Hong Nhung still has many secrets...

Singer Hong Nhung - Photo: Provided by the artist

Ahead of her live concert "Hong Nhung Sings About Hanoi" (November 30th at Ho Guom Theater), Hong Nhung told Tuoi Tre newspaper that she has never felt such a strong urge for creativity as she does now.

"Aunt" Hong Nhung learned a lot from the children.

* This year, we don't see Hong Nhung participating in "Beautiful Women Riding the Wind" like My Linh and Thu Phuong?

- I am very honored to have been invited by the organizers of season 2 of the program and I really wanted to participate, but due to my busy schedule, I regret that I cannot be present.

This year, Hong Nhung has so many projects to do that she has to manage her time extremely efficiently to do them well. For example, the documentary series "Hong Nhung Stories - Relaxing with Bong" has consumed a lot of her time.

* After the single "Tears ," the live concert, and the vinyl album "Hong Nhung Sings About Hanoi ," what else are you doing?

- A collaborative album with musician Vo Thien Thanh titled "Thank You " will be released next year, focusing more on community engagement.

Next came a modern music project composed by Hong Nhung, drawing inspiration from folk songs. Following that was another project in collaboration with young people, even children (laughs), such as Big Daddy, Phuong Vu, MONO...

Generally speaking, I've never had as much work as I do now. Working with young people is also very interesting. They often say that working with Hong Nhung is like getting "guidance from her." Conversely, "Auntie" Hong Nhung is learning a lot from them.

Hong Nhung sings "Tears".

* At the press conference announcing her new project, Hong Nhung said that from now on she is an artist. Is it really necessary to make such a clear distinction between singer and artist?

- Previously, I presented myself as a singer, only singing, but now I can completely bring other "arts" to the community and my fans, such as film, dance, fashion , podcasting, etc.

* You and Tung Duong have recently been working on community-oriented music projects. Is this a trend, or is it something you should do at your age?

- Artists are unique; they have their own innate impulses. Simple Beauty , and this time , Tears, are both works with a healing quality. The upcoming live concert will feature songs about feminism, about origins... This is even more prominent in the album Thank You .

An artist's mission is to bring positive energy and kindness to culture and art. Not everyone has the opportunity to do that. I've been fortunate enough to do so, and I'll just keep doing it, doing it with happiness and joy.

After nearly half a century of singing, one might think that Hong Nhung has no secrets left, that she's become old and familiar, but it turns out that's not the case. I'm embarking on new journeys and want to share them with my audience.

Hong Nhung

An image from the documentary series Hong Nhung Stories - Relaxing with Bong.

Hong Nhung really enhances Trinh Cong Son's music!

* Some fans love you so much that they expect you to do even more. But some say that you can never exhaust the legacy of Trinh Cong Son's music and songs about Hanoi. What would you say about that?

On the contrary, Hong Nhung is actually enhancing Trinh Cong Son's music and the music about Hanoi. In her live concert "Who Is Bong?", she was there. Last year, I experimented with blue jazz.

For this live concert where Hong Nhung sings about Hanoi , I want to experiment with hip hop and street music combined with a symphony orchestra...

Besides old songs sung in a different style, there were also new songs performed for the first time for the Hanoi audience.

I know these experiments might cause me to lose some long-time fans, but that's okay, I'll get them back quickly.

Back when I first started singing Trinh Cong Son's music, he was the one who guided me. When people heard me sing, some liked it, some didn't. Some even said outright, "We only like listening to Khanh Ly sing." I was devastated and cried constantly.

Singer Hong Nhung and musician Trinh Cong Son - Archival photo

Mr. Son said: "Some people like Hong Nhung's singing, some people don't, but I like it because Hong Nhung has breathed the spirit of the times into my music. That gives me a place in contemporary music, rather than being just a rehashing of the past."

I'll always remember that quote and consider it his guidance throughout my artistic journey.

* Listening to "Tears," I suddenly remembered your "Circle" project from 13 years ago. It presented a different Hong Nhung, one who was outside her comfort zone! Why don't you do more projects like this?

- That's right, "Circle" is a different album from my other music projects. That will continue in the next album, "Thank You ."

Both are electronic, but while the previous album had more electronic world music elements, the upcoming album will feature more electronic rock.

This creates a fresh, dynamic musical atmosphere, accurately reflecting Hong Nhung's state of mind during this period. Audiences will see Hong Nhung becoming increasingly multifaceted.

Hong Nhung reunites with Vo Thien Thanh in the single "Tears" - Photo: Provided by the artist.

* It feels like Hong Nhung is aging in reverse, doesn't it?

- I've never felt such a strong surge of creativity. And I've never been this busy; I'm even surprised at how busy I am.

And remember, there's no such thing as "sacrificing for art" here. Doing what you love and want doesn't require any sacrifice.

Born and raised in an artistic environment, art is in my blood. I've lived and breathed that atmosphere so much that I've never imagined what kind of person I would be without art.

But Hong Nhung knows she's lucky to be involved in art. In this life, no one is without sadness, and sometimes there's more sadness than joy, but I choose to cherish the joy instead of dwelling on the troubles.

Hong Nhung's live concert is dedicated to Hanoi.

I have a great love for Hanoi. It is my hope, my family, my homeland; the place that gives me warmth, soothes my soul, where I am loved and nurtures my youthful artistic spirit.

The name Bống predates the name Lê Hồng Nhung on the birth certificate.

I am grateful to Hanoi for everything, for allowing me to be myself today, a child of Hanoi, to sing, to create, and most importantly, not to feel alone in life.

In every dream, my house is still the old house at number 11 Dien Bien Phu Street, with its big iron gate, garden with longan and apple trees, and wide sidewalk lined with two rows of old tamarind trees whose flowers fall white every season.

Our generation experienced "a time of bombs and bullets, a time of peace," and then a period of rationing and scarcity.

From a young age, I was extremely focused on my goals, so I always knew how to maintain my health, my voice, and live a positive life.

Hong Nhung wants to sing about Hanoi. This live concert and vinyl record are dedicated to Hanoi and to my homeland.

Hong Nhung

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/hong-nhung-van-chua-het-bi-mat-20241021101444625.htm