Hong Nhung used to have an inferiority complex about her appearance.

Hong Nhung said that since she was little, she always stood in front of the mirror and asked herself, "Why am I so ugly?", while her mother was beautiful.

The singer talked about her concept of beauty and age in the audience interaction during the music night that took place on the evening of March 8 in Hanoi . When asked by the MC, "Do you think you are a beautiful woman?", Hong Nhung replied: "From childhood to adulthood, I have never thought so. When I was young, I often stood in front of the mirror, wondering why I was ugly and dark, with a wrinkled face, short stature, and not at all like my mother. My mother was a beauty, with white skin and long black hair reaching down to her ankles. When I was young, I always carried a picture of my mother in my notebook to show off to my friends."

Singer Hong Nhung at the music night. Photo: Provided by the organizers — Singer Hong Nhung at the music night. Photo: *Provided by the organizers*

The singer said that before they were famous, Hong Nhung and Thanh Lam once performed at the beach and spread out a carpet to sunbathe during a break. A passerby saw them and teased them: "As dark as a gun barrel, still sunbathing."

When the MC asked why she didn't think she was beautiful but still participated in "Beautiful Sister Riding the Wind and Breaking the Waves", she humorously replied: "When I was invited, I thought the organizers were color blind, inviting me to be a beautiful sister. I'm not beautiful, but "Riding the Wind and Breaking the Waves" is much more beautiful. Compared to the other contestants, I'm 20 years older than many of them and about 20 cm taller than them."

Hong Nhung sings 'Love and Memory' — Hong Nhung and Quang Dung sing "Love and Memory" (Trinh Cong Son). Video : *Ha Thu*

Throughout the program, Hong Nhung repeatedly made the audience laugh with humorous short stories, connecting with the works she sang. When introducing the song "What age is left for me " (composer Trinh Cong Son), the diva said: "Nowadays, no one is polite enough to ask a woman's age, only her phone number. Women don't need to reveal their age. As for famous girls, they have to accept it, because a quick Google search will show it." The singer said that the same morning, she was shocked when some staff at the Vietnam-Soviet Friendship Cultural Palace asked: "Hong Nhung, are you 60 years old yet?". She replied: "Don't say that or you'll sell out."

Hong Nhung wore a slit dress during the show. Photo: Provided by the organizers — Hong Nhung wore a slit dress during the show. Photo: *Provided by the organizers*

Introducing the song "Em ve tinh khoi" (Quoc Bao), the singer told the audience: "Don't think that only young girls are innocent, women of all ages can be naive and pure."

Hong Nhung said she was proud that at age 54, she still maintained the same weight as 25 years ago. In the morning, she jogged around Hoan Kiem Lake and did yoga so she could wear a slit dress on stage.

During the duet with Quang Dung, Hong Nhung teased her colleague, praising him for being handsome, stylish, and gallant. When her junior was about to go on stage to change, she joked: "Today I'm wearing five sparkling outfits, hanging them all over the racks, you have no place to hang them."

During the three hours, Hong Nhung and Quang Dung showed their harmony through many duets. They performed many songs by Thanh Tung ( You and I, Dewdrops on the Eyelids ), Duong Thu ( Awakening the Spring ), and Duc Tri ( Because We Need Each Other ). With Love and Memory , a song by Trinh Cong Son was chosen as the theme of the program. Both sang with a different attitude than 15 years ago, not tragic but gentle and serene.

Hong Nhung sings "What age is left for me" (Trinh Cong Son). Video: *Ha Thu*

The works all have bright, lyrical colors, renewed through the arrangement of musician Son Thach. Hong Nhung maintains the image of "Miss Bong" who is innocent and carefree on stage. In many performances, she steps up to the musicians, dances and juggles with them. Singing "Con tuoi nao cho em " in jazz style, she "floats" with the saxophone of artist Quyen Thien Dac. Quang Dung maintains the image of an elegant gentleman in music , with a narrative singing style. His calmness, although contrasting with Hong Nhung's unconventional style, helps balance the performance.

Phuong Anh, 36 years old, Hanoi, said she was happy to hear her two idols sing for the first time. "Hong Nhung's humorous interactions always make the audience laugh out loud, creating a feeling of closeness and comfort for fans."

Hong Nhung and Quang Dung duet. Photo: Provided by the organizers — Hong Nhung and Quang Dung duet. Photo: *Provided by the organizers*

Hong Nhung's full name is Le Hong Nhung, 54 years old. She has been singing since the 1980s and has been successful with songs by Trinh Cong Son, Duong Thu, Tran Tien, Phu Quang, Quoc Trung, and Thanh Tung. Hong Nhung's typical albums are Doan khuc thu ha noi (1997), Bai hat ru cho anh (1998), Ngay khong mua (2002), Thuo Bong la nguoi (2003), Khu vuon dien tinh (2004), Pho a pho oi (2017), Tuoi tho toi (2020), Who is Bong la nguoi (2023).

Quang Dung's real name is Thai Van Dung, 49 years old, from Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh. In 1997, he participated in the Binh Dinh Television Singing Contest and won second prize. In 1998, Quang Dung was appointed by the provincial Department of Culture to represent the Central Highlands - Central Vietnam Singing Contest in Hue, winning a gold medal. After that, he went to Ho Chi Minh City to sing in tea rooms, famous for his deep voice and elegant style. In addition to singing, the artist also acted in the second part of the movie Gai Nhay directed by Quang Dung. He married Miss Jennifer Pham, had a son Bao Nam in 2008, and divorced a year later.

Ha Thu

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