In August, the singer released the music video (MV) "Nguyen la nguoi Viet Nam" ("Determined to be Vietnamese"), which attracted millions of views. Vo Ha Tram also made a splash on stages commemorating national holidays, performing patriotic songs. On this occasion, the singer talks about her love for traditional music and how she keeps the flame of her career burning.

- What inspires you so much about patriotic music these days?

- From the beginning, the music of "Tu nguyen" (by Truong Quoc Khanh) and "Doan ve quoc quan" (by Phan Huynh Dieu) has been in my blood. For nearly 20 years, I have spent much time learning and practicing how to sing patriotic music with depth.

In my twenties, I was into pop music. When I started my career, I was confused about where to begin and which direction to take. At that time, my teacher Ta Minh Tam explained to me that traditional music is chosen by fewer people but can last longer and offer a broader path. If I persevered, I would find the light at the end of the journey.

If I compare my journey to a circle, I've completed it now, having only drawn half of it before. I feel happy instead of lonely, having overcome a period of wavering and doubt. Now every time I step onto the stage, I feel happy. I have never regretted my decisions.

Vo Ha Tram on the stage of the "To Quoc Trong Tim" concert. Photo: Provided by the artist

Vo Ha Tram on the stage of the "To Quoc Trong Tim" concert. Photo: Provided by the artist

- How does your husband, businessman Vikas, support your music?

- Every time he hears me sing about love for the country, my husband is very moved. India also has many heroic stories, so he empathizes easily. Before, he was more interested in politics and society than art. When we met and got married, my husband gradually felt many things through my music. Sometimes, he even shows me off to his friends and family as a source of pride. In the latest MV, Vikas said he wanted to participate because he has a great love for Vietnam.

He has lived in Ho Chi Minh City for many years, so he has a certain understanding of his wife's homeland. Vietnamese and Indian cultures have similarities: both are oriented towards human values, respecting traditions and interpersonal relationships. This harmony helps us find each other, learn, and share.

Vikas likes to talk to the staff and our children in Vietnamese. He often reminds me: "You must teach our children to speak their mother tongue first because they are Vietnamese, and then other languages."

Vo Ha Tram: "My husband loves Vietnamese culture". Video: Tan Cao

- How do you nurture your soul and emotions to sing this genre of music?

- My parents live in central Vietnam, a land that suffered from bombs and bullets during the war. Since I was a child, I listened to my father tell fierce stories associated with scenes of bombs falling, blood flowing, and soldiers falling to protect their homeland. I grew up with memories of the sacrifices of the previous generation, so the spirit of patriotism and gratitude was sown in me early on.

As a student, I participated in many trips to historical sites and met with veterans. Once in Con Dao, I listened to a female prisoner recount how she was tortured during her imprisonment. These stories are precious "living documents," bringing me a lot of emotion. When I sing "Biet on chi Vo Thi Sau" ("Grateful to Sister Vo Thi Sau") or "Mua hoa do" ("Season of Red Flowers"), the images appear in my mind as clearly as a pre-existing painting. I sing from the heart, not forced.

Husband and children wear ao dai in Photo: Provided by the artist

Husband and children wear ao dai in Photo: Provided by the artist

- How do you feel about the recent patriotic songs being loved by young people?

- In mid-August, I participated in the "To Quoc Trong Tim" ("Homeland in My Heart") concert in front of 50,000 people in Hanoi. Singing the first lines of "Me yeu con" ("Mother Loves Child"), I saw many young people put their hands on their chests, their eyes sparkling. The lyrics written by the late musician Nguyen Van Ty went straight to the listeners' hearts. Until now, that emotion remains intact, like a slow-motion film in my mind.

Recently, young people often mention the phrase "national concert" through a series of large-scale art programs. Someone asked me: "Why can a revolutionary music event attract such a large audience?". For me, the simple reason is: we are Vietnamese, born with red blood and yellow skin.

Young audiences empathize with the music because they are aware that they belong to the next generation. When everything blends together, it creates the power of unity. Now, when coming to a "national concert," the audience immediately thinks of listening to songs that have accompanied the years, living in the historical emotions left by their ancestors.

Vo Ha Tram: "Happy that young people are listening to revolutionary music". Video: Tan Cao

- What do you say to the comment "Vo Ha Tram often shows off her technique"?

- Singing patriotic songs requires lyricism, while also expressing a heroic spirit. Wanting to blend both requires the singer to have a strong voice, a wide range, and enough breath. In "Determined to be Vietnamese," I hold the last two words "Viet Nam" because I want to express that spirit. For me, it's a necessary calculation for complete emotion, not a deliberate show-off.

What I learned at school, including vocal techniques and breath control, I apply, but not overuse. Emotion is always my top priority when singing. I have to love every lyric, understand the context, and even transform into the character in the song to move the listeners.

Vo Ha Tram sings "Mau Do Da Vang" ("Red Blood, Yellow Skin") with artist Thanh Thuy - a song from DTAP's album "Made In Vietnam", released on 19/8. Video: VMas

- What do you do to create something new while staying true to the spirit of the songs?

- I release products not only out of passion but also responsibility. We are breathing the air of peace, so we need to ask ourselves: "What will I do to be worthy?". For me, music must be directed towards the country and the community, and be constructive and developmental. Besides the historical element, the songs must carry the spirit of the times.

To reach more young people, I choose modern arrangements but don't lose the original spirit. For example, in the "Determined to be Vietnamese" project, I incorporated electronic rhythms intertwined with traditional harmonies.

Recently, I've collaborated with many young people because I like the perspective through their unique lenses, creating an intersection and familiarity. I also focus on how to spread and promote products on digital platforms through forms such as dance challenges, transformation trends, or simultaneously releasing karaoke versions so that everyone can sing along.

- What are your concerns when choosing your own path?

- If my career goal were money, I would have chosen to sing commercial music and follow trends because it's easy to gain fans and profits. But I don't want to because that's not my true self, not the kind of music that brings me real value.

I've never been in a situation where I didn't have money to eat or struggled to the point of not being able to stick with my career. There was a period when I had very few shows, and I was worried, but then passion helped me overcome everything. Before, I made MVs based on how much money I had, without borrowing. When my finances improved, I was willing to invest to get the best quality product.

For me, making music must come from purity and sincerity. If the project is successful, in addition to joy, there will certainly be income. I never calculate how much I invest and then must earn back equal or greater profits. I think if you consider art to be a financial burden, music will lose its inherent flight.

Vo Ha Tram and Dong Hung sing "Viet tiep cau chuyen hoa binh" ("Continue Writing the Story of Peace") at the 50th anniversary of national reunification celebration, 30/4 in Ho Chi Minh City. Video: Provided by the program

- Having been in the profession for nearly 20 years, but you are considered a "late bloomer" compared to colleagues of the same period, what do you think?

- When I started, I had nothing but my voice and expertise. To this day, I am proud of my enduring career, along with my teaching work. If I had chosen to pursue a different image, Vo Ha Tram might have "fallen off" somewhere already.

The first five years of my career were difficult and confusing, and I often asked myself, "When will success come?". I began to feel the "sweet fruit" in 2019 when I did the "This is Me" live show. In 2023, when I started working on "The Love Journey" project, I still held the view of working for passion, and the results were beyond imagination. That boost helped me get closer to the audience.

Each person has their own journey; some colleagues are lucky to go fast, while I have to take more time. I think the important thing is to never give up. As long as you keep the mindset of working honestly, no matter how long and wide the road is, you will eventually see the destination.

Everything now fits my personality - I prefer peace and stability to drama. People say "slow but sure," and this is very true for me. I've never wished for a title in the profession, instead, I just want to sing and bring quality works to the audience. I hope young people who are new to the profession will also be patient and not let other factors overwhelm their artistic ideals.

- At the age of 35, how do you experiment and accept challenges?

- I keep the youthfulness within Vo Ha Tram and harmonize with the "youth" of Gen Z audiences. Recently, a fan asked me if I would accept an invitation to participate in hot shows like "Chi dep dap gio" ("Sisters Who Make Waves") or "Em xinh say hi" ("Pretty Girls Get Tipsy"). I said: there's nothing to be afraid of.

Compared to many colleagues of the same age, I am often considered more mature. If anyone says I'm "older than my age," it's okay because that image suits the music genre I pursue. But when I put myself in a new environment or situation, I can still be youthful and humorous in my own way.

Vo Ha Tram was born in 1990 in Ho Chi Minh City. She has won many awards in music competitions such as "Tuoi doi menh mong" (2005), "Tieng hat Chu ve con" (2006), "Ngoi sao tieng hat truyen hinh" (2007), "Guong mat than quen" (2016), and "Hay nghe toi hat" (2018). The singer got married in 2019 and gave birth to her first daughter in July 2021. They welcomed another child, son Milo, in 10/2024.

Tan Cao

Photos, videos: Provided by the artist