As he prepares to release a new album later this year, the musician behind the hit song "Va con tim da vui tro lai" ("And My Heart Is Happy Again") spoke about his life with his wife and two children.

What is your life like now that you're not in the public eye as much?

Everything is stable and going well. I no longer yearn for fame or success. I'm focused on my health and family. My children are older now – my son is 13 and my daughter is 8 – so my wife and I don't have to worry as much about their daily needs. Each family member embraces a quiet, simple life, cherishing each day.

Every morning, my wife and I wake up early. I take Thu to the nearby market to buy fresh groceries. Then we return home to wake up the children for our morning exercise. My wife and I walk around our apartment complex, while the kids ride their bikes. It's a peaceful family life.

Musician Duc Huy during an interview on 11/8 in Ho Chi Minh City. Originally from Hanoi, he has been active in the music industry since the 1960s. He has many beloved songs, including "Va toi cung yeu em" ("And I Love You Too"), "Duong xa uot mua" ("Rainy Long Road"), and "Va con tim da vui tro lai" ("And My Heart Is Happy Again"). Photo: Hoang Dung

Musician Duc Huy during an interview on 11/8 in Ho Chi Minh City. Originally from Hanoi, he has been active in the music industry since the 1960s. He has many beloved songs, including "Va toi cung yeu em" ("And I Love You Too"), "Duong xa uot mua" ("Rainy Long Road"), and "Va con tim da vui tro lai" ("And My Heart Is Happy Again"). Photo: Hoang Dung

What's the biggest change in your family lately?

Perhaps it's that my wife and I make a conscious effort to listen to each other more every day, and the results are always positive. We don't get swept up in the drama and controversies of life, especially with the pervasiveness of social media. If you constantly engage with that information and get into arguments, you won't have time for anything else. I don't see the point in airing your personal thoughts to the public. Who knows if they even care? Some people boast about having tens or hundreds of thousands of followers on social media, but when they pass away, only a few people attend their funeral.

My wife and I agreed not to use Facebook, and neither do our children. It's a way for our family to slow down and focus on what's important.

Musician Duc Huy sings "Va con tim da vui tro lai" ("And My Heart Is Happy Again"). Video: Provided by the artist

What's the secret to keeping your love alive after almost 15 years of marriage?

Thu and I kiss each other every day: when we wake up, when we leave the house, when we come home, and before we go to sleep. Our daughter once saw us and said, "Mom and Dad, you're so affectionate! It's annoying, but I can't help but love you both." Our love grows sweeter and more tender each day. I believe that peace, or lack thereof, radiates from each family member and extends to those around us.

We've never tried to force anything; we let things unfold naturally. I once heard a funny story about a man my age who went for a check-up. The doctor asked if he engaged in any strenuous physical activity. He said yes, because he occasionally had to argue with his wife. Thu and I don’t have the need to prove who’s right or wrong. When we’re upset with each other, we remind ourselves that it's just a temporary emotion caused by various physical and psychological factors. Maybe one of us didn't sleep well or heard something unpleasant. These things come and go; we shouldn't dwell on them. I believe arguments stem from concern and wanting the best for each other.

When we find it hard to control our anger, we use the baseball time-out signal: thumb and index finger forming a "T". Then we give each other space to calm down instead of immediately trying to reconnect.

Musician Duc Huy sings "Va toi cung yeu em" ("And I Love You Too") (2023). Video: YouTube May Sai Gon

In your opinion, what's the most important thing for maintaining a happy home?

I don't force myself to do anything. Some things sound good in theory but don't work in practice. For example, seeing my wife riding a motorbike to pick up our children in the rain made me think we needed a car. But then I reconsidered. With a car, we'd have to find parking, practice driving, and what if Thu accidentally hit the gas pedal instead of the brake? So, I dropped the idea. Or, my wife suggested we go vegetarian for health reasons, but our family has been eating meat for years. We can't just change overnight; it takes time. I always try to be mindful to avoid carrying extra burdens, so I can walk through life with ease.

To maintain gratitude and respect in marriage, I think it's important to pause before reacting and try to understand each other. Everyone has their own worries and pains. Not every pain can be shared, even with loved ones. Sometimes, you have to resolve it yourself.

In 2004, after living in the US for many years, musician Duc Huy decided to return to Vietnam and released the album "Va con tim da vui tro lai" ("And My Heart Is Happy Again"). He married Huynh Thu, who was a fan of his. Photo: Provided by the artist

In 2004, after living in the US for many years, musician Duc Huy decided to return to Vietnam and released the album "Va con tim da vui tro lai" ("And My Heart Is Happy Again"). He married Huynh Thu, who was a fan of his. Photo: Provided by the artist

How do you and your wife share parenting responsibilities?

Thu and I constantly remind each other to avoid being overly strict parents. I no longer talk down to my children. They both enjoy reasoning and stand their ground. They have their own understanding, which we need to respect. Once, when they were watching TV and I sat next to them, they immediately turned off the screen. I understood that I shouldn't intrude on their space. They both love their phones, but we don’t forbid them. Instead, we discuss the pros and cons of technology dependence and set a 10 PM bedtime. Parenting has taught me patience and acceptance, even of things I don’t like.

Children don't listen to what adults say; they watch what adults do. So, my wife and I always show love and never resort to yelling or violence. Children are a reflection of their parents.

I also transferred my children from an international school to a public one to reduce academic pressure. I told them they don't need to be in the top 10, just don’t fail. I don’t make them attend extra classes on weekends, and I let them visit their grandparents during summer break. I see many young people suffering from strokes because they try to meet the expectations of adults and society. They strive to go to university, work extra jobs, and when they finally have a stable life, they want to be as rich as everyone else. For me, enough is enough.

What are your current priorities?

Maintaining inner peace. My health is relatively stable. I don't have any underlying conditions, though I occasionally have food allergies. Of course, my physical strength is not what it was 10 years ago. I accept the natural course of life and don't aspire to live to 100. I embrace each day with its joys and sorrows.

I still compose music, but my style is simpler now, aiming to bring peace to listeners, not to prove anything. Later this year, I'll release an album of eight songs that I've been working on for a long time. The theme revolves around inner reflection rather than romantic love.

I believe that inner peace leads to world peace. Nothing lasts forever, and the theme of romantic love no longer fits my current lifestyle. I create and do my work with joy, wanting to spread positivity, not create tension for my listeners.

Hoang Dung