Ngoc Son: Singing to express gratitude to life.

In an interview with " People's Coffee ," renowned singer Ngoc Son didn't talk much about the glamour or the hidden aspects of his career. He only confided about filial piety, his ancestral profession, and a simple dream: "I only hope to have enough strength to sing, to sing to express my gratitude to life."

"Music is my calling."

"I don't dare claim to be exceptionally talented. I only believe that the ancestors have blessed me, allowing me to sing until today."

Huong Trang: You once said that music is your "founding calling." Specifically, what does that mean in your life and career?

Ngoc Son: Throughout most of my career, music has been nothing but a blessing from my ancestors. People often say, "Art for art's sake, art for life's sake," but I choose art for life's sake more. Singing, after all, is simply to beautify the soul and beautify life.

In Ngoc Son's mind, the concept of "ancestral heritage" is completely different; it's the mindset, the soul, the inherent goodness within himself. The ancestral heritage also resides in the audience, those who show him love and admiration. Preserving this heritage means preserving the audience's love for him. These things have become invaluable spiritual strength, encouraging Ngoc Son to be stronger, to compose more, and to perform more to reciprocate the love of his "big family" (the audience).

Huong Trang: Ngoc Son has composed many songs about parents, including two very famous ones, "Mother's Love" and "Father's Love." These are also the works that brought Ngoc Son's name closer to his "Big Family," a very interesting term he often uses to refer to his fans. Can you share more about these two special songs?

Ngoc Son: Ngoc Son was born in Hai Phong. His mother is from Hai Phong, and his father is from Da Nang . His parents had four children. Although they were born during a difficult and challenging time, his parents were fortunate enough to raise and educate all four of them. Ngoc Son loves his parents very much.

Even now, every night, Ngoc Son lies listening to the rain and wind outside and remembers the days of evacuation. He feels so sad; that sadness even creeps into his dreams, and he cries, worrying about what might happen to his parents. He also fears that one day he will no longer have his parents and wonders how he will live. These feelings have motivated Ngoc Son to write many songs about his mother and father. His parents are an endless source of inspiration for him.

Actually, he composed "Mother's Love" when he was 17, but the emotions had been building up for a long time. From a very young age, Ngoc Son was very close to his mother, always following her, loving her deeply. Therefore, when he went to Ho Chi Minh City in 1987 to study vocal music and participated in competitions, Ngoc Son's performance of "Mother's Love" became a sensation. In the 1990s, when he went to Hanoi , he had over 100 performances at the Vietnam-Soviet Friendship Cultural Palace, sometimes three or more performances a day.

As for the song "Father's Love," Ngoc Son vividly remembers the image of accompanying his father to the South on a cold, windy night. His father took off his coat and wrapped it around Ngoc Son, who cried all night. He loved his father very much. That image of his father giving him his coat on a cold, rainy night inspired Ngoc Son to write the song "Father's Love" in 1995.

Ngoc Son is fortunate to be a son of both North and South Vietnam. Therefore, in terms of genes and vocal cord structure, Ngoc Son has the warm voice of his father and the timbre of his mother, plus his personal emotions, so whenever he sings "Mother's Love" or "Father's Love," he is widely admired by the audience.

Music originates from the simplest things: homeland, family, audience.

Huong Trang: Ngoc Son was born in Hai Phong but has lived and worked in many places across Vietnam, each leaving its mark on his musical journey. Which place do you consider your hometown, and what significance does it hold for your music?

Ngoc Son : Ngoc Son is a son of Mother Vietnam. His paternal grandmother was from Quang Ngai, and his paternal grandfather was from Quang Nam; they fell in love through the folk songs of the river. His father grew up and traveled extensively due to work requirements. His mother was from Hai Phong; she loved traditional opera and Quan Ho folk music from Bac Ninh. After his parents married, Ngoc Son spent time in Da Nang, then Bac Lieu, and finally Ho Chi Minh City, where he has lived ever since.

Each region has given Ngoc Son many experiences. Ngoc Son is also passionate about traditional Vietnamese opera (cheo), Quan Ho folk singing from Bac Ninh, Hue folk songs, and can sing Cai Luong (Vietnamese reformed opera). Besides his passion, he also has to practice and hone his skills every day.

The reason Ngoc Son has become the phenomenon it is today is thanks to its reverence for its parents and the nurturing of its soul through love for its homeland and country.

Huong Trang: When mentioning the famous singer Ngoc Son, we're not only talking about filial piety but also about a heart dedicated to others. Another special thing is that Ngoc Son isn't picky about the stage; wherever there's an audience, he performs, sometimes even for free. What's the reason behind him doing such extraordinary things?

Ngoc Son : One thing that Ngoc Son is proud of and cherishes to this day is that he is always loved and respected by all his fellow artists and colleagues. Perhaps it's simply because, naturally, Ngoc Son lives and dedicates himself completely to his performances.

Ngoc Son has toured extensively throughout Vietnam, performing with various troupes, big and small. He gives his all, rain or shine, and if his colleagues are in dire straits, he gives them his entire salary. That's how Ngoc Son has always lived; he never takes anything from anyone. As long as there are still audiences waiting, he will sing even at 1 AM.

Ngoc Son maintains a philosophy of living for others. At home, he treats his parents and siblings well. Outside, he lives harmoniously and considerately with friends, colleagues, and fans. If he loves others, others will love him back. Therefore, he earns a little money to make ends meet, get by day to day, and do charitable work.

Amidst controversy, choose to live quietly.

Huong Trang: Have you ever felt lonely on your journey to success?

Ngoc Son:
Everyone has a partner in life.
Ngoc Son is still all alone.
But Son has a large family.
We met, sang, and had a great time.

Being an artist means loneliness, of course. But Ngoc Son is used to it. Music is my refuge. Besides, Ngoc Son also has his extended family, the audience, his kindred spirits, those who understand and love him, and that's enough.

Huong Trang: Ngoc Son gained fame at a very young age, which also came with controversies. How did he manage to overcome those challenges?

Ngoc Son: Honestly, I feel like a fish caught on a hook, struggling desperately. The more I struggle, the deeper and more painful the wound becomes. I've suffered for decades, but I've also trained myself to be strong and resilient enough to face challenges. When faced with gossip and slander, Ngoc Son rarely explains himself, silently enduring it without complaint. I love those who love me, and I ignore those who hate me.

The old stories about Ngoc Son being a playboy and dissolute, as confirmed by official sources, are all untrue.

My only offense was singing songs without permission, but now those songs are being sung again. I've already paid the price for that mistake.

Ngoc Son has returned to a normal life and is loved by everyone because of his endurance. Ngoc Son thanks everyone who has come and gone. They all contributed to making Ngoc Son unique.

Ngoc Son will still sing with all his heart.

"As long as I have breath left, I will continue to sing. Because the audience is my flesh and blood, my heart, the reason I live to see this day."

Huong Trang: Recently, many viewers have been surprised to learn that Ngoc Son is a lifelong vegetarian and lives a devout life. What has led him to embrace this lifestyle?

Ngoc Son: It just happened naturally. That's all. I didn't practice anything. I'm naturally a kind person, not greedy, not envious. Besides my love for music, my family, and my audience, I have nothing else. I think stepping onto the stage is enough to make me feel intoxicated and happy. I can't possibly be happier than anything else.

In Ngoc Son's mind, morality here refers to filial piety—respect for one's parents; secondly, loyalty to one's homeland and country; and thirdly, treating others with gentleness, yielding, and patience. Ngoc Son always taught his students these three things, believing that only by doing so could they preserve their reputation and image.

Looking back on his journey now, Ngoc Son is very happy and never thought he would be surrounded by the love of his audience, the respect of his students, and the appreciation of his friends and colleagues.

Huong Trang: After nearly 40 years pursuing art, and all the ups and downs, what is the greatest value you have retained for yourself, and what do you hope to bring to the audience?

Ngoc Son : Ngoc Son does everything for the passion of life. Everything has its price; a spring that isn't compressed won't spring back. Ngoc Son endures those pressures in a very positive way, and although his life is full of obstacles, he has overcome them with resilience.

Ngoc Son always remembers his father's teachings: (SINGING) "Remember your father's words, live a virtuous life, and my son, never be deceitful. Even in poverty, be clean; even in rags, be fragrant."

Everyone has a different path. Ngoc Son prioritizes a noble and pure path. How Ngoc Son lives and thinks is reflected in his music. As long as he has breath, Ngoc Son will continue to sing, singing with all his heart and with all his passion for life.

"One of Ngoc Son's eight heartfelt principles that he wants to exemplify for young people to follow is: The most virtuous thing a person can do is to fulfill their filial duty, and the most difficult thing a person can do is to overcome themselves."

Source: https://nhandan.vn/special/NGOC-SON-HAT-BANG-TRAI-TIM/index.html#source=home/zone-box-460585