After 20 years, Tan Nhan was awarded the title of Meritorious Artist, received his doctorate degree and is currently the Head of the Vocal Department of the Vietnam National Academy of Music. Reporter of Lao Dong Newspaper had a conversation with Meritorious Artist - Doctor Tan Nhan about the 20-year journey.
It has been 20 years since winning the First Prize in folk music and the Television Audience Choice Award at the "Sao Mai 2005" contest. On that 20-year journey, how did the launching pad from the First Star Mai Award help you on the path of art?
- Currently, music competitions are flourishing on television and digital platforms, but I think that the "Sao Mai" contest still leaves many impressions in the hearts of the public and experts. "Sao Mai" is a great launching pad for young artists, including me. The success of "Sao Mai in 2005" helped me fly high, fly far in the musical sky and bring my voice to music-loving audiences.
Looking back 20 years, from the past 20 until now, singer Tan Nhan has had many milestones in her career, she was awarded an MSc. degree, a PhD degree, and is currently the Head of the Vocal Department of the Vietnam National Academy of Music. Is each milestone achieved through your own efforts, talent, or even luck, in your opinion?
- I think that each person's success will depend on many factors. With my journey, the milestones converge in luck, personal efforts and the support of many people. The relationships that have guided me to the success I have today.
What will singer Tan Nhan be like when sitting in the management position - the head of a department? How does being a singer before being a teacher help you?
- It's great to have a long time standing on stage to grasp the psychology of young people, have real emotions and a multi-dimensional perspective. When participating in teaching and management, I get close and understand my students, helping young people orient their careers in the current stage of music development.
Tan Nhan is famous for being difficult. When I was a singer, and when I was in the classroom, who was your most authentic self?
- I am a perfectionist, even when I am a singer standing on stage and standing on the sermon. As a performing artist, I am strict with myself, setting requirements and making efforts to achieve.
In teaching, I require my students to be meticulous and determined in music. That is the guideline that makes me successful, and I want success to come to my students. I think wherever I am, I am still myself - a burning Tan Nhan on stage and passionate about inspiring the younger generation when standing on the podium.
Tan Nhan is still the typical voice of red music, a music with folk melodies, lyrical music praising the love of the homeland and country. In 2025, we look forward to many major holidays, the upcoming one is the 80th anniversary of the success of the August Revolution and the 80th anniversary of the founding of the country. Music praising the love of the homeland and country revives strongly, spreading across all platforms. How do you live when the music you pursue has its own strong vitality in the flow of history?
- As an artist pursuing mainstream music in general and folk music in particular, over the past 20 years, I have participated in many large and small programs. But in 2025, I will have more opportunities to appear at major national holiday celebration events. That is a great pride and honor for me. The love of the homeland is always in the hearts of artists pursuing revolutionary music, and when it is sung praising the homeland, everyone will be moved and honored.
I believe that the vitality of traditional music will always last, go with history and be associated with the development of the country. This music genre is never forgotten, but on the contrary always arouses love for the country and national pride in each person.
She has been involved with red music, revolutionary music, folk music... in major programs for more than 2 decades in her career. Which song do you like the most, and brings the most emotions when singing?
- On the music stage, I have had the opportunity to perform many songs that have gone through the years. I am especially impressed with the song " Xa Khoi" - a work written during the time of the country's division. At that time, the people of the whole country shared the same ideal and aspiration for national unity and peace and independence. " Xa Khoi" is always a song that I always remember, shaking every time I sing.
The story of the difference in salary and income of artists in music genres, such as youth music, red music... has always been of interest to many people, and questioned. What can you say about this? How has the income from singing helped you make a living?
- Occasionally, students ask me why the salary of youth music is higher, I say that the salary is not the important thing, but what music are they passionate about, where to aim for their career.
I encourage my students to follow the mainstream music genre because of its many good values. Currently, the salary for this music genre is not low, artists can make a living from the profession. Depending on each person's needs in life, they have their own goals. For me, I only care about what value I can bring and how long I can sing.
Maybe today, the singer will receive a high salary and attend events continuously, but his fame will not last forever. What goes with artists is sustainable, long-term values. I would not be happy if I only became famous and earned money from 1 - 2 good songs. I persevere in my artistic activities and feel happy to have chosen the path that suits me.
20 years, in addition to work achievements, she has gone through daily storms, overcome broken relationships to find new happiness... someone has said, storms help us have a memorable and valuable journey of maturity. Do you think so?
- Everyone's life can find happiness on the path they have taken. Through the pain, I became more mature, mature and more calm in front of life.
Now, how is your concept of happiness defined?
- I think it is too early to define happiness. When I asked my parents about happiness, they said that happiness is the journey we go through, every day we wake up to live and passionately devote ourselves to happiness.
