The concert, titled "Tu Tinh Que Huong" (Homeland Confessions), will take place on the evening of 28/3 at the Tran Huu Trang Cai Luong Theater in TP HCM. Artist Le Trung Thao, co-director of the show, stated that the program marks over 40 years of Thanh Thanh Tam's singing career. He added, "After a lifetime in the profession, she wants to hold a performance to express gratitude to her audience."

Meritorious Artist Thanh Thanh Tam during her return to Vietnam for a Cai Luong symposium by the TP HCM Theater Association in 2023. Photo: Thanh Hiep

Thanh Thanh Tam personally developed the script for the liveshow, with support from singers Quang Thanh and Quang Nha. She selected iconic excerpts that established her reputation, such as "Tam su Ngoc Han" (by playwright Le Duy Hanh) and "Anh hung kho qua ai my nhan" (by Moc Quan, Nguyen Trong Quyen). "Hon vong phu" (by Luu Quang Vu, Moc Linh), a play that gained renown through the voices of artists Vu Linh and Thanh Thanh Tam, will be performed as a solo piece by her.

The veteran singer will also perform alongside guest artists Phuong Loan, Van Ha, and Tam Tam in the musical scene "Tu Tinh Que Huong." The program will conclude with two historical excerpts: "Nu hung Me Linh" (by To Thien Kieu) and "Thai hau Duong Van Nga" (by Hoa Phuong, Hoang Viet, Chi Lang, The Ha Van).

A young Thanh Thanh Tam with her "stage lover" Vu Linh. Photo: Character provided

Having lived in the US for nearly 15 years, Thanh Thanh Tam shared that she remains dedicated to the traditional singing profession. Although she performs occasionally, she regularly practices singing and vocal exercises at home to maintain her breath control and memorize plays. At one point, she felt disheartened and desperate after witnessing the deaths of close colleagues, including artists Ngoc Dang and Vu Linh. This experience diminished her motivation to sing. However, the artist stated, "I know that as soon as I put on my costume, the passion for my craft will rekindle within me."

Beyond performing, she harbors a desire to open classes to teach young people the techniques of Ho Quang (Chinese opera-influenced Vietnamese folk opera), historical plays, and social Cai Luong. The artist views this as a way to repay the ancestors of the profession if she no longer has the opportunity to perform on stage.

Thanh Thanh Tam, born in 1963, whose birth name is Nguyen Thi Thanh Thanh, is the daughter of artist Nam Hung and artist Thanh Thanh Hoa. She won the Tran Huu Trang Gold Medal in 1991, the inaugural year of the competition, alongside Vu Linh, Phuong Hong Thuy, Thanh Hang, Tai Linh, and Ngoc Huyen. From then on, she shone with her sweet singing and acting style, gaining attention with works such as "Dem phan xet," "Kieu Nguyet Nga," "Rang ngoc Con Son," "Chuyen co Bat Trang," and "An Phi Giao." When she performed with Vu Linh, they formed a harmonious duo, often regarded as "stage lovers."

Thanh Thanh Tam and Vu Linh in an excerpt from "Duong Gia Tuong" (by playwright Bach Mai) in the 1990s. Video: YouTube Cai luong hay

In 2012, after her divorce, the artist relocated to the US. She considers her two children her emotional anchors. Her eldest daughter graduated from university with a degree in information technology and is now working, while her son, Kim Tuyen, is pursuing a career in nursing. In 2023, she served as a judge for the Ut Trong traditional singing talent competition.

Mai Nhat