Hong Nhung still has 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.

"Uncle" Hong Nhung learned a lot from her grandchildren.

* This year, Hong Nhung did not participate in "Beautiful Sister Riding the Wind" like My Linh and Thu Phuong?

- I was honored to be invited by the organizers of season 2 and really wanted to participate, but because I was too busy, unfortunately I couldn't be there.

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 "Giọt Nước Mat" , the live concert and the vinyl record "Hong Nhung sings about Hanoi" , what else did you do?

- A collaborative album with musician Vo Thien Thanh called Thank You will be released next year, more community-oriented.

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 "teachings from her." Conversely, "Auntie" Hong Nhung is learning a lot from them.

Hong Nhung sings "Tears".

* At the press conference to announce her new project, Hong Nhung said that from now on she is an artist. Singer and artist - should we be so clear?

- 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 are recently having music projects that are community-oriented. Is this a trend or is it because of 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 - Leisurely with Bong

Hong Nhung makes Trinh's music more beautiful!

* 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 making Trinh's music and music about Hanoi more beautiful. Who is Bong in the live concert? Last year I experimented with blue jazz.

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

Besides the old songs that are sung differently, there are also new songs sung for the first time to Hanoi audiences.

I know the experience might cost me some long time fans, but it'll be back soon.

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 - Photo archive

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 always remember that sentence and consider it as his advice 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?

- True Circle is a different album from my other music projects. That will continue in the next Thank You album.

Both are electronic, but if in Vong Tron there is more electronic world music, then the upcoming album will have 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 "Teardrops" - Photo: NVCC

* It feels like Hong Nhung is aging backwards, right?

- I have never felt so strongly motivated by creativity. I have never been so busy that I even surprise myself.

And remember, there is no such thing as "sacrificing for art" here. Doing what you love, what you want, there is no need to sacrifice anything.

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 Bong comes before the name Le Hong Nhung on the birth certificate.

I am grateful to Hanoi, for everything, so that today I can be me, a son of Hanoi, can sing, can create and most importantly not feel lonely in life.

In every dream, my house is still the old house number 11 on Dien Bien Phu street, with a big iron gate, a garden with longan and apple trees, a wide sidewalk 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 time of many shortages.

Since I was little I have been very focused on my goals so I always know how to maintain my health, voice and live positively.

Hong Nhung would like to sing about Hanoi. Hong Nhung dedicates this live concert and vinyl record to Hanoi and my homeland.

Hong Nhung

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