Recently, he has continuously appeared with many new projects, but in today's conversation, he mentioned a lot about wanting to live slowly. It seems that Dan Truong at this age is very different from before?
- It's very different! If it were Dan Truong from about 10 or 20 years ago, I would definitely not sit and say things like now. Back then I was terribly addicted to work. Running several shows continuously a day was still normal, sleeping for a few hours and then continuing to get in the car to perform. Even at times when I was hot, I still stepped onto the stage because I thought as long as the audience was waiting, I had to sing.
In the past, I was young, so I had no concept of being tired. Just hearing the audience cheering, I naturally had energy immediately. There were days when I flew continuously, morning in this province, evening in another province, and then late at night I went to the airport. Life kept spinning like that for many years.
But about 3 years ago, I started to see my body change a lot. Sometimes I just have a mild cold and it doesn't go away after 2 weeks. In the old days, I was a little sick and got well when I woke up, but now it's not like that anymore. That's when I started thinking more about health, about time and about how I live.
I have been in the profession for decades, there is fame, there is pressure, there is aura. But in the end, I realized that the most important thing is still health and peace. If I don't have health anymore, I won't enjoy anything else.
But currently his performance schedule is still very tight. Many people say Dan Truong is still one of the singers who runs the most shows in Vietnam?
- It's true that there are still many schedules. Especially in the overseas market, weekends are almost full. Some places sign contracts even a year in advance. Many people ask why I don't quit, but in fact, having worked in the profession for a long time, it's very difficult to quit the stage.
The feeling of standing and singing in front of the audience, being able to hear people sing along, seeing faces that have followed me for decades... it's like a part of life already.
In the past, I went to sing because of passion, because I wanted to be famous, to conquer the audience. But now I keep the profession because I am grateful to the audience.
There are fans who have followed me since I was a student, and now I have a family and children, but I still listen to Dan Truong's music. Some people go to shows and meet me and cry, saying that they have listened to my music throughout their youth. Those things touch me. So many times I say I want to quit but it is still difficult to quit completely.
But clearly he is in a rather contradictory state: On the one hand, he wants to live slowly, on the other hand, he still accepts shows continuously?
- I also feel contradictory. Many times I tell Mr. Tuan (manager) to quit some, don't accept too much anymore. But then there are familiar shows, there are close show organizers, there are audiences waiting for me, so it's hard to refuse.
Anh Tuan also often jokingly says "Dan Truong doesn't know how to rest". But actually now I have reduced running shows more than before. In the old days, sometimes I flew continuously to several places in a day.
Now I choose more carefully, prioritizing health. There are shows that I see the schedule is too tight or moving too hard, I refuse, but in the past I probably accepted everything.
You once jokingly said that "singing for a day is equal to a restaurant selling for half a month". Does that mean that your current singing income is still very good?
- I think I am lucky because after so many years there are still regular shows. Especially the overseas market loves me very much. There are many places that invite me every year.
But actually now I no longer focus on how much money I earn. When I was young, it was different. Back then I would think I had to run more, earn more, become more famous.
But now I care more about emotions and health. There are shows that I find unsuitable or the schedule is too tight, I also refuse.
In addition to music, he is also a very discreet artist on social networks. Why?
- Because I prefer to keep my image through the stage. Now many artists make vlogs and livestreams very successfully every day. I think that's also good. But my personality is not suitable for appearing too much.
Even on Facebook, I post very little. Sometimes it takes a very long time to have a song. I think artists should keep a sufficient distance from the audience. When appearing too much, the specialness will sometimes decrease. I want the audience to remember me through music, through the stage rather than everyday clips continuously.
After more than 30 years of fame, what makes you most proud?
- It's that I am still loved by the audience. Any artist will eventually pass their peak. That's normal.
But what makes me happy is that after so many years, there are still people who remember me, still come to listen to me sing, still sing along to each song. There are fans who have followed me from the time of cassette tapes and CDs until now. I see that the audience still remembers me not only because of the past glory but also because of my current efforts.
And the biggest thing you trade?
- Perhaps it's time for myself. Artists look glamorous, but in fact, they are often very lonely. I perform continuously, and have little time to rest in the true sense.
There are periods when I feel life goes very fast and I haven't had time to enjoy anything. So now I learn to slow down. Learn to care about health, spend more time for family and for myself.
At this age, I realize that the most precious thing is no longer the aura, but peace. For me now, still being able to sing, still being remembered by the audience and still having enough health to enjoy life... that's already happiness.
- Thank you for sharing!
There was a time when I asked myself how much I had lived for myself before? Because almost all of my youth was just work. Performing, recording, filming, taking photos, running shows domestically and abroad. Just spinning like that until one day looking back, I was startled: "Huh, almost 50 years old?
I find time flies terribly fast. There are many things I want to do but have not been able to do.
Artists have a very strange thing that when they are still loved by the audience, it is very difficult for them to stop. I just think, let's try a little more, a few more shows, a few more projects. Then year after year passes very quickly" - Dan Truong said.
