The reason why singer Hong Hanh divorced her businessman husband who is 18 years older

Singer Hong Hanh and Japanese businessman Kondo Koji officially "go their separate ways" after 10 years of divorce proceedings.

Throughout the conversation with VietNamNet reporter, Hong Hanh mentioned Mr. Kondo with a gentle attitude and still maintained the way of calling him "husband" and "husband".

Marriage with husband over 18 years old

Around 1989 - 1990, Hong Hanh became famous, which was also the time when Vietnam expanded relations with foreign countries, attracting many businessmen from other countries to do business in Ho Chi Minh City, including Kondo Koji.

Singer Hong Hanh, 60 years old. Photo: Loan Le

Kondo first met Hong Hanh at the Rex theater, impressed when he heard her sing Tinh flap canh ngan (Japanese song with Vietnamese lyrics). The two later got to know each other, and gradually became close friends with her parents - musician Huu Thiet and famous singer Ngoc Cam.

At that time, Kondo often traveled between Japan and Vietnam. He had a stable job at Singapore Airlines with a salary of 20,000 USD. "At the time when a tael of gold cost several million, that salary was unmatched," the singer recalled.

Because musician Huu Thiet did not want his daughter to live abroad, Kondo left everything in Japan and returned to Vietnam to live.

In 1991, Kondo and Hong Hanh opened their first Japanese restaurant. In 1994, they opened another restaurant, named after their son - Hong Nhat, along with a few small shops. He took care of the cooking, she took care of the paperwork and premises.

In 2007, the two returned the premises on Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street and moved into operation at the New World Hotel.

Mr. Kondo Koji with Hong Hanh and his father-in-law - musician Huu Thiet. Photo: FBNV

Later, the economy went downhill, Kondo's health was no longer the same, and that was when they had differences in business views.

Specifically, Hong Hanh did not want to continue working for someone else, so she planned to separate and use the house in Tu Xuong - bought in 2001 for several million USD - to open her own restaurant, while Kondo wanted to continue working here.

"At that time, everyone thought they were right so they separated and pursued their own paths. I was sad so I stopped doing business, rented out my house and returned to music . After making a few CDs, I opened a cafe to sing together so that my friends had a place to exchange music," she recalled.

Reasons for divorce

Kondo Koji was born in 1946, 18 years older than Hong Hanh. After a year of dating, the couple got married in 1991. "Back then, I came to him because he talked little and did a lot, making me feel protected," she recalled.

"Words of the departed" - Hong Hanh

The singer was most impressed by her ex-husband's taciturnity. Even when they were at their most tense, they hardly raised their voices or argued. For example, when discussing the divorce, if she made a request, he would just silently take out a pen and paper and write it down.

In Hong Hanh, Kondo is the one who understands her value as well as music and art. He actively takes her to performances, always proud to have a wife who is a singer.

After marriage, the age gap gradually created problems. When they got married, Kondo was 45 years old and Hong Hanh was only 27 - the "age to have fun". He was almost not enthusiastic about going out and traveling .

"So, throughout my youth, I almost only focused on working to earn money, without having time to have fun. We don't even have many photos together because we rarely went out," the singer recalled.

Hong Hanh and Mr. Kondo that day. Photo: FBNV

The silence and language barrier sometimes make Hong Hanh feel suffocated. Sometimes, she wants someone to talk to and be more in tune with.

In 2011, Kondo and Hong Hanh separated. In 2015, she filed for divorce and it was just finalized in April this year.

Light-hearted

Hong Hanh noted that Kondo did not fight over the assets, including the multi-million dollar house on Tu Xuong Street - assets acquired during the marriage. He left the house for his wife to use and earn money to raise their son.

After completing the divorce in early April, Hong Hanh was not emotional and felt relieved. Kondo did not blame and expressed goodwill towards his ex-wife.

"My husband suddenly took the initiative to connect, talk again, and suggested that we go to Hungary to visit our son. Perhaps he felt guilty that our relationship had affected our son to some extent," she shared.

Hong Hanh with her son - Hong Nhat. Photo: FBNV

When Hong Hanh and Kondo divorced, their son - Nguyen Huu Hong Nhat (born in 1992) was an adult so he chose to live with his mother.

In 2011, he studied abroad at the University of Debrecen, Hungary; he will graduate next June.

The study process was prolonged because it took 3 years (2019 - 2022) due to the Covid-19 outbreak and 1 year of missed subjects. "Studying to be a doctor in Hungary is very difficult, many people who studied before my child have not graduated yet. No one in my family and my husband is in the medical field except my husband who is a doctor," Hong Hanh said.

After graduation, Hong Nhat will be awarded a nationally recognized professional degree (which means he is qualified to practice medicine in Hungary - PV) . He once shared his intention to continue studying Pediatrics because he loves children.

Give Life a Little Grace - Hong Hanh

Regarding the relationship between Hong Nhat and Mr. Kondo, Hong Hanh said: "After we broke up, Nhat seemed to understand what happened to his parents. The father and son still kept in touch but not much."

At the age of 60, about to turn 61, Hong Hanh wants to be a singer for the rest of her life and does not intend to remarry.

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 after 10 years of filing.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/ca-si-hong-hanh-tiet-lo-moi-quan-he-voi-chong-nhat-hon-18-tuoi-hau-ly-hon-2398808.html