The veteran revolutionary music singer discusses her work, life, and the release of her new song, "I'm Old Now".

- What motivated you to record this new song?

- When I happened to hear the song by musician Vu Vinh Phuc, I felt a connection with the simple, humane lyrics. It resonates with middle-aged and older people. I love lines like, "Life is like a leaf," and "Looking in the mirror, I see frost-kissed hair," which encapsulate life's journey. At some point, everyone will see silver strands and wrinkles in the mirror. It's a law of nature that we can't resist.

I feel that older adults lack artistic content tailored to them; they need comfort and emotional support. So, I contacted the songwriter and asked to sing it, hoping to spread a positive perspective on aging. I hope that in the latter half of life, we can all let go of negativity and live peacefully. In just over 10 days, I've received thousands of well wishes and positive comments. It's been a long time since "Your Train Passes the Mountain", "Village of Rice, Village of Flowers" that I've felt such strong support from the audience.

Artist Thanh Hoa on stage. Photo: Provided by the artist.

- When did you start feeling old, and what worries you as time goes by?

- Even at a young age, I found myself more mature and thoughtful than others. I'm sentimental, sensitive, and easily moved. My emotions, whether joy or sorrow, love or hate, are more intense.

Now in my seventies, my biggest concern is my health. I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and weak joints. Every time I get sick, I feel guilty for worrying my family. When I was little, my dad used to tell me, "You have to take care of yourself. When you have a 102-degree fever, I can't be sick for you. To love your family, you must be healthy."

I hate it when my children have to drop everything when I'm ill, hovering around my bed, constantly asking where I'm hurting and if I've taken my medicine. Recently, my health has improved. When traveling domestically, I no longer need a wheelchair at the airport; I can walk over 500 m on my own. I can also stand for quite a while during TV show recordings. I don't follow any special diet or exercise regimen; my best medicine is a positive attitude. I try not to fear illness or dwell on aches and pains, and I naturally feel better.

Artist Thanh Hoa with her husband, circus artist Ton That Loi. Photo: Provided by the artist.

- What is your greatest joy these days?

- I'm happy to have a loving family. I don't have any profound secrets; I just believe in being genuine and carefree. With my husband, I don't hide my feelings. If I'm annoyed, I show it; if I'm angry, I express it; if I'm bored, I say, "I'm bored," or "I don't like this." I think honesty is crucial because when the truth comes out, everything can fall apart. My husband pampers me, but I also care for him attentively. I pay attention to his clothes and appearance, making sure he always looks presentable when he goes out.

I never use formal pronouns with him; it's always been "you" and "me" since we started dating. Why change now that we're older? I still playfully tease him all the time. Sometimes, I'll suddenly hug him from behind while he's sitting. On days when I receive lots of applause after a performance, I get so excited that I rush to hug him, playfully punching him and saying, "I'm so happy today!" People might see that and say, "She's old and still acts like a child with her husband," but I think it's not childishness; it's my way of life.

I have 10 grandchildren, and it brings me joy to watch them grow. The oldest is 30, and the youngest is not even one year old. Sometimes, they get together and turn the house upside down, but we all have fun. To me, they are all well-behaved and caring.

- What made you decide to perform more frequently recently, even collaborating with younger artists like Hoa Minzy?

- I'm not returning to become more famous, to make money, or to prove that I can still sing well. I just fear being forgotten by the audience. I want to thank those who have loved and supported my voice for many years. Performing is my way of showing them that I'm still healthy and lucid enough to be on stage. It's also a message to young artists: If you truly love this profession, you can still sing and thrive even when you're my age.

- Reflecting on over 60 years in music, what do you consider your greatest achievement?

- My greatest reward is the public's love. Singing has also given me many exhilarating moments amidst thunderous applause. Every time I'm on stage, I imagine a handsome man gazing at me adoringly, and I sing passionately for him. Some days, I would fall in love and sing seven or eight times like that (laughs). Music is magical; it sometimes makes me feel like a child, forgetting my age. It also helps me forget life's hardships.

In our time, singers were seen as servants of the people and the country. Working at the Voice of Vietnam radio station, we were like singing machines, earning modest government salaries with minimal bonuses. We all had side jobs. I sewed clothes and pickled vegetables to sell. I knew how to make shorts and traditional Vietnamese blouses. During the evacuation period, my pickled vegetables were a hot commodity. I had a trick: I'd use a bit of the old pickling brine, add sugar, garlic, and ginger, which kept the vegetables fragrant and golden. I also grew vegetables and even raised hundreds of pigeons and chickens.

Today, I'm still busy with the Vietnam Association for the Protection of Music Performers' Rights (APPA), where I serve as president. I also have some new projects in the works, set to launch in the latter half of the year.

The artist's real name is Le Thi Thanh, and she is from Tu Liem, Hanoi. She began singing at the age of 9, winning first prize in the Ha Dong Town Nightingale Singing Contest. At 16, she studied at the Vietnam Music School (now the Hanoi Conservatory of Music). After graduating, she became a singer for the Liberation Radio Station and was adopted by two reformed artists, Thanh Hung and Ngoc Thoa. Her stage name, Thanh Hoa, is a combination of their names.

In 1974, she performed in Truong Son mountain range, serving the Ho Chi Minh Campaign. At the end of 1975, she worked at the Voice of Vietnam radio station until her retirement in 2006. There, she was one of the most prolific recording artists with 400 recordings, including hits like "Love of Land and Water" (by Hoang Van), "The Canal We Dug", "Lullaby of a Young Mother" (by Pham Tuyen), "I Choose This Path" (by An Thuyen), "Your Train Passes the Mountain", and "Love on the Quan Ho River" (by Phan Lac Hoa). In 2001, she was awarded the title of People's Artist by the State.

In the 1980s, after her first marriage to musician Phan Lac Hoa ended, she faced much criticism. However, she never let it affect her, always maintaining a positive outlook. She remarried circus artist Ton That Loi and has a son, singer Ton That Son.

Ha Thu