My Tam talks about the 'most emotional performance of her career' at A80.

"I think it's impossible to compare this morning's performance to any of my other shows because it wasn't a show, and I stood there not as an artist but as a daughter of the country…," My Tam said emotionally about the most memorable performance of her more than 20-year singing career at A80.

Having stayed up all night waiting for what she considered "the most memorable performance of her life": singing along to the "Marching Song" and the Declaration of Independence at Ba Dinh Square on the morning of September 2nd, My Tam excitedly granted Thanh Nien a very emotional interview.

"Stand in a wide space to see the bigger picture."

With only eight lines, My Tam's "record-breakingly short" performance immediately went viral on social media when it was played at the parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam on September 2nd, where millions of hearts were beating in unison at this sacred moment for the entire nation. Following the familiar opening lines of the "Marching Song" sung in her innocent, childlike voice: " The Vietnamese army marches together to save the nation…", came My Tam's clear, melodious, yet calm and warm voice singing the heartfelt and simple lyrics of composer Pham Hong Bien in the song "Melody of Pride" : "That song resonates in my heart/That song makes me extraordinarily strong/That song makes me tear up/When standing under the red flag with a yellow star/That song I hear today/Is the wonderful and sacred thing of the whole nation/Together with millions, we sing the song/Our Vietnamese homeland, strong and enduring…".

The emotionally charged performance was praised with the comment: "It could only be My Tam!" at A80.

Photo: Thang Dang

My Tam, with her enduring voice spanning over 20 years, her "ageless beauty" in a pristine ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress), her simple updo, her calm demeanor , resolute expression, bright and trusting eyes, and her clear, soaring voice, has become a beautiful symbol of music, accompanying a historical moment and representing a beautiful moment in the singing career of this "keeper of time."

My Tam "expressed her feelings, with all the sincerity and heartfelt emotion."

I remember, in a recent interview with Thanh Nien newspaper, you said: "From a high vantage point, you can see a vast expanse." But today, would it be the opposite feeling, standing in the middle of the wide-open stage of Ba Dinh Square?

- It's actually the opposite feeling: Standing in a wide space, to see the heights. The heights of ideals. And the ideals aren't far away, but right before my eyes. It's the image of the sacred Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, which has become a symbol of the nation's "spirit." That's where I first visited the mausoleum in 1998, and every time I perform in Hanoi , I often pass by it, but I never imagined I'd have the chance to sing in front of the mausoleum, in the historic Ba Dinh Square, at such a sacred moment for the entire nation. That was the moment when I thought the ideals I'd quietly pursued for so long had perhaps merged with the shared ideals of the nation, as the country's highest leaders were present at the monument and the people throughout the streets were listening to the echoes of history.

What was the most special feeling?

"Everyone had been queuing since 2-3 a.m., practically staying up all night waiting for the moment to pass the monument. Even near dawn, the weather was still very gloomy, but just before the opening ceremony, especially when we entered the ceremonial platform, the sun suddenly came out – it was truly miraculous!"

"Just before the show started, the sun suddenly came out, it was truly miraculous!", My Tam said.

Photo: Thang Dang

This was the shortest performance, perhaps the shortest in Tâm's singing career so far, but it was also the most moving performance Tâm has ever given, for sure; it's the most beautiful and sacred memory in an artist's life. No, Tâm thinks this morning's performance can't be compared to any of her other shows because it wasn't just a show, and Tâm stood there, not as an artist, but as a daughter of the nation. Tâm thinks she's very lucky. Thank you, Hanoi, for giving Mỹ Tâm that opportunity!

With the shortest performance, and a young co-performer with a childlike voice, followed immediately by President Ho Chi Minh reading the Declaration of Independence, how did she manage to balance her voice to fit the context?

- Tâm didn't really think of herself as singing, but simply as expressing her innermost feelings, with all the sincerity and heartfelt emotion. This was a performance that Tâm knew beforehand would be incredibly moving. Although she had teared up several times during rehearsals, at that sacred moment, she was truly moved to tears. Mỹ Tâm rarely cries, but this was one of the rare occasions when she couldn't control her emotions.

I truly admire the skillful and subtle arrangement of the music director in creating such a moving and meaningful combination. Two voices: one representing the younger generation of the nation, one representing the older generation, and then the resounding voice of President Ho Chi Minh reading the Declaration of Independence . At the same time, the present, past, and future coexist, harmonizing and connecting, creating a truly unforgettable moment.

My Tam performed the song "Aspiration of Youth" at My Dinh Stadium on the evening of September 1st.

Photo: Thang Dang

Earlier, on the evening of September 1st, during the program celebrating 80 years of Independence, Freedom, and Happiness, My Tam also appeared simply dressed with her hair neatly tied up, light makeup, and natural nails… in a place where she had every reason to stand out?

- I think I did the right thing. For a formal ceremony, neat attire and hairstyle are appropriate. And I certainly couldn't paint my nails red; that wouldn't look right! I wasn't trying to stand out or blend in with the crowd, because I always believe that everyone has their own unique style and knows what is appropriate and fitting for the place they are in. Luckily for me, I got beautiful photos at the moment I needed to look my best, to deserve that beautiful moment.

"From now on, Tâm has to live a normal life."

Normally, we can easily express our love to the person we love, but expressing love for our country seems a bit hesitant for fear of being seen as merely "shouting slogans." As someone who identifies as belonging to the "patriotic movement," have you ever felt that hesitation?

- Never. Why should I be shy about talking about patriotism? Because if I didn't love my country, I couldn't live! In over 20 years of working, I've had to build my own ideals for life so I can live well each day and improve myself. Within those ideals, and in the way I love myself, is patriotism.

For Tâm, A50, and A80, parades, marches, or "national concerts" are not just occasions for fanfare; more importantly, they are mirrors reflecting on where young people today live and where they belong. Once they know where they stand and where they belong, love will naturally and sincerely radiate, simple and intimate.

Having titled her biographical documentary "The Keeper of Time," what does she think this morning's moment will help her preserve before time passes?

- That moment, it will certainly be "timeless"! But Tâm doesn't think I'll carefully bury it deep in my memory to only bring it out occasionally. On the contrary, Tâm will always carry it with her, gazing at it every day to practice gratitude. Gratitude for the country. For Tâm, an ideal isn't something for a "special occasion," it's a daily companion.

My Tam and her 7-year-old child co-star at A80

Photo: Thang Dang

If it's not the profound self-reflection: "...we need to ask ourselves what we have done for our country today" – as in the song "Aspiration of Youth" that you sang on the night of September 1st – then what is the self-reflection you ask yourself every day?

- It's about whether my life has been meaningful, whether I've made any mistakes... Because making mistakes is easy, but living right is what truly matters...!

While many artists are choosing this time to release songs that are inspiring, proud, and celebratory of the country, why did My Tam release the music video "Season of Wind Blowing on the Rooftop" to express her sorrow for a central region ravaged by rain and storms?

- Actually, that song is from DTAP's recently released debut album , Made in Vietnam , but it coincidentally reached the audience right when Central Vietnam, Tâm's hometown, was hit by a storm, which was certainly a comforting message. Within the "patriotic movement," many young people have already done a great job with the word "love," just as Mỹ Tâm has done for over 20 years. Now, let Mỹ Tâm choose a different word. The word "love" always contains the word "compassion," Tâm thinks!

"The mind is at peace because the mind loves to give..."

Photo: Thang Dang

Diligently and quietly doing charity work—that's how she conjugates the verb "to love one's country" in the style of My Tam. Could her usual calm demeanor stem from that?

- Probably! My heart is at peace because I love giving, and I'm happy about it. I'm not good at talking, though; when I go on stage and speak, my audience is always stunned, because I usually speak from my heart, and I've been a bit clumsy for years. But I think I can do it, thanks to the positive energy that I patiently accumulate and learn every day.

If there really are moments that are enough to make it impossible for us to live normally afterward, do you think, for you, that moment was this morning?

- On the contrary, from this point on, Tam felt that she needed to live a normal life, and shouldn't overdo things. Only by living a normal life could she calmly appreciate the happiness she had, the happiness of living among these people, in this country, during these days…

"That moment, it will definitely be 'timeless'! But I don't think I'll keep it hidden deep in my memory to only bring it out occasionally. On the contrary, I will always carry it with me, gazing at it every day to practice gratitude. Gratitude for my country. For me, an ideal isn't something 'for an occasion,' it's a daily companion." (My Tam)

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/my-tam-noi-ve-man-trinh-dien-xuc-dong-nhat-trong-su-nghiep-cua-minh-tai-a80-185250902173354903.htm