"Tu tinh que huong" (Homeland's Confessions), Thanh Thanh Tam's first live show of her career, took place on the evening of 28/3 at the Tran Huu Trang Cai Luong Theater in Ben Thanh ward, TP HCM. Seeing the 450-seat auditorium completely full, with extra chairs needed, the artist was overcome with emotion, her long-held wish fulfilled.

Artist Thanh Thanh Tam as Empress Dowager Duong Van Nga during her live show on 28/3. Photo: Hoang Kim

The actress spent three years contemplating before deciding to stage the concert. Initially, she doubted her ability to satisfy the audience, fearing a decline in her skills after 14 years of living in the US. She also faced health challenges, including a herniated disc for many years. "I did not want anything grand or monumental, but rather a cozy program, like a gathering of enthusiasts, to share the heart of an artist living abroad with the audience who always followed me," the artist stated.

The Cai Luong vocalist, a star of the golden era, demonstrated her performing prowess in the over three-hour concert. It began with the ca canh (a form of Vietnamese musical theater combining singing and acting) "Tu tinh que huong", written specifically for her by Quang Thanh, the show's editor. The piece conveyed Thanh Thanh Tam's feelings during her years abroad: a longing for home and the burden of leaving the stage lights. This performance carried a message of continuing the artistic flow, featuring generations of experienced artists such as Thanh Thanh Tam, Phuong Loan, Tam Tam, Quang Thanh, alongside young performers Le Trinh, Trong Nhan, Hung Vuong, and Kim Tien.

Other segments of the show revisited milestones in Thanh Thanh Tam's career. "Hon Vong Phu" (The Waiting Wife), an excerpt that gained fame through the voices of Vu Linh and Thanh Thanh Tam, was performed as a solo by the artist. On stage, she portrayed the tragedy of Thanh, a beautiful and loyal woman who waited endlessly for her husband, unaware of the source of her life's sorrow. Many audience members were moved as the voice of the late artist Vu Linh, in his role as Vinh from a classic recording, echoed through the theater, accompanied by his portrait displayed on the LED screen.

"Truyen Thuyet Tinh Yeu" (Legend of Love) featured a collaboration between Thanh Thanh Tam and two close younger artists: Tu Suong and Vo Minh Lam. Playing a queen who sacrifices her beauty to save her sibling, Thanh Thanh Tam captivated the audience with her powerful voice and emotional acting, even while wearing a veil throughout the performance. "Tam Su Ngoc Han" (Ngoc Han's Confessions) and "Thai Hau Duong Van Nga" (Empress Dowager Duong Van Nga) are historical excerpts, a genre she cherishes and aims to preserve and spread through her work overseas.

She dedicated a segment to young artists, "Tay Son Nu Tuong" (Tay Son Female General), featuring core members of the Huynh Long Classical Cai Luong Troupe, including Binh Tinh, Trong Nhan, and Ngoc Cuong. "My greatest wish now is no longer applause for myself, but to see these young artists confidently step onto the stage, with the same care and sincerity for the craft that I was once taught," the artist expressed.

The show concluded late in the evening, with many spectators lingering until the final moments. Numerous elderly audience members were assisted up the stairs by their children and grandchildren to enjoy the program. The concert also attracted artists from the traditional music community, admirers of Thanh Thanh Tam's voice. Actress Le Thien, who had attended the dress rehearsal, shared that she cried along with the character's emotions when Thanh Thanh Tam sang "Hon Vong Phu" during the live show. Director Xuan Huong noted that despite her long absence from home, Thanh Thanh Tam's voice had not diminished. "This proves that the passion for Cai Luong still flows within Thanh Thanh Tam's heart," she said.

Thanh Thanh Tam, born in 1963, real name 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, the artist shone with her sweet singing and acting style, gaining recognition for plays such as "Dem Phan Xet" (Night of Judgment), "Kieu Nguyet Nga", "Rang Ngoc Con Son", "Chuyen Co Bat Trang" (Old Story of Bat Trang), and "An Phi Giao". When she performed with Vu Linh, they formed a harmonious duo, often referred to as "stage lovebirds."

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

Ngoc Hy