The cover of Co hong (Pink Grass), Thanh Thuy’s latest album featuring oldies tunes by famous composer Pham Duy

An enchanting singer and talented actress has blown audiences away with her flair for new musical genres.

Once known for performing patriotic songs that exalted the country, Thuy surprised fans by making a seamless switch to the pop and rock genre with the release of her third album Thuy hat (Thuy Sings) last year, showing a more romantic and vivacious side of herself.

“I try to experiment with different genres to test my singing ability, continually renewing myself to entertain a diverse range of audiences,” Thuy said. “I believe at this age, it is still a proper time to start a new with music and be more creative.”

Just last month, she released Co hong (Pink Grass), a collection of pre-war oldies by Pham Duy who is one of Vietnam’s most prominent composers.

“I’m sure I have made the right decision when choosing to perform Duy’s renowned songs. I made a name for myself with patriotic tunes but now with all that I have gone through, I think lyrical music best captures my feelings,” she said.

Musical prodigy

Thuy was born into a family with impressive military lineage. Her father is a senior lieutenant-colonel and her mother had served as a vanguard soldier during the Vietnam War.

She began cultivating her musical talents at a young age at the Children’s Cultural House in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 4, participating in many singing contests and winning several prizes.

When she was in twelfth grade, she took part in HCMC Television’s prestigious singing competition in 1993 and won the Youngest Contestant award.

She went on to join the 7th Military Zone’s Art Troupe in 1994 before winning Vietnam Television’s National Singing Contest in 1997.

In 2004, Thuy released her debut album Hon Dat (Soul of the Land), after ten years in the music scene.

The album, which featured mellifluous songs glorifying Vietnam and the bonds between citizens, won instant praises from audiences.

One year later, she came out with a collection of patriotic songs entitled Nhung tinh khuc vuot thoi gian (Timeless Songs), which also won critical acclaim.

These albums proved her resilience and commitment to music, as Thuy had gotten divorced at the age of 25 when her son was less than two years old.

“I was really depressed for more than a year after the divorce, neglecting my health, career and everything else. One day I was shocked to see myself in the mirror and realized I couldn’t live like this and make my loved ones worried anymore. My son needed me and that really helped me move on,” she said.

Budding starlet

Thuy has also acted in several films and her roles have been highly commended by critics and viewers alike.

She began her acting career in 1994 when she played Vo Thi Sau, a revolutionary teenage soldier who fought and was executed by the French during the anti-colonial resistance, in the film Nguoi con gai dat do (The Girl of the Red Soil).

Other notable films in which she had a part include Dat khach (Foreign Land), Nga re cuoc doi (Life Intersection), Nhip dap trai tim (Heartbeats), Thien duong tinh yeu (Paradise of Love) and Ho so X413 (File X413).

She is currently playing the leading character in the 30-episode television series Hay yeu em lan nua (Please Love Me Once More).

Thuy’s character loves a man despite being forbidden by her family. When she gets pregnant, her lover deserts her and her child is kidnapped. She manages to endure much suffering and poverty but finds true love in the end.

“I can recognize parts of my own experiences in the role and relate to Van’s anguish,” Thuy said. “As a mother, I understand how it feels to lose one’s child, so my acting in the scene where Van’s child is kidnapped really moved the film crew.”

Whether in music or television, the elegant and devoted mother puts her heart and soul into her endeavors, helping to prove that one can become young again after persevering through the vicissitudes of life.

Reported by Hai Mien