People's Artist Thanh Hoa: "Made in VietNam" is national pride

People's Artist Thanh Hoa, Truc Nhan and Phuong My Chi behind the scenes of the MV

People's Artist Thanh Hoa, Truc Nhan and Phuong My Chi behind the scenes of the MV "Made in VietNam". (Photo: Provided by the character)

Emotional journey with “Made in VietNam”

Reporter: Dear People's Artist Thanh Hoa, the audience has rarely seen you appear in music videos. So what motivated you to join the project "Made in VietNam" - a music project aiming at national pride?

People's Artist Thanh Hoa: The music project "Made in Vietnam" was launched in June 2025. At that time, I was very surprised when the members of the DTAP group directly came to my house to invite me to collaborate. As soon as the DTAP group played the demo, I was immediately captivated. The song left a strong impression, the melody and lyrics were captivating from the first notes. With many years of experience in the arts, I feel that this is a good work, rich in emotions, deeply expressing national pride and love for the homeland and country - values that any Vietnamese person will sympathize with when listening.

I believe that, as a Vietnamese, everyone will be moved when enjoying it. The song has a special appeal, worthy of our respect. The music, lyrics and images in the MV are fully and harmoniously expressed, strongly conveying the love for the Fatherland.

I have read thousands of comments and most of them are filled with emotion; many people shared that they wanted to cry and become more attached, even wishing that in the next life they could still be Vietnamese.

(Photo: Character provided)

Reporter: When you first watched the complete MV " Made in VietNam", especially in the context of the whole country looking towards the August Revolution and National Day September 2, how did you feel? Was there a moment that moved you the most?

People's Artist Thanh Hoa: When my friends in the DTAP group sent me the first version of the MV, I burst into tears right from the opening images. When the MV was released in Ho Chi Minh City, I was in Europe performing for overseas Vietnamese, so I couldn't be there. But when it was released, my friends sent me the images and the finished MV, I sat down to watch it, and then watched it over and over again for nearly an hour, tears falling non-stop. Those were tears of joy, of emotion when feeling the special meaning of the work - a historical mark, not only in music but also in love for the Fatherland.

At this age, I feel very lucky to still be able to participate in such a MV. The emotion is mixed with a bit of sadness of an old artist, regretting that with such good music, I am no longer young enough to continue to contribute more. But most of all, I admire the young people - those who know how to appreciate, filter and convey the love for the homeland, the country and the desire to live of the Vietnamese people into a creative and emotional musical work.

The attraction and special mark of “Made in VietNam”

Reporter: In your opinion, what creates the appeal and unique mark of the MV "Made in VietNam", making this work different from other music products with the same theme?

People's Artist Thanh Hoa: The difference of the MV is the synthesis. The talent of the young people is that they know how to package and combine perfectly the most quintessential and beautiful things of the Vietnamese people into one work.

In just a short duration, the MV cleverly interweaves 7 folk melodies. Each artist only appears for about a minute, but still fully honors the beauty of Vietnamese folk songs. It is a harmonious combination of tradition and modernity, both captivating from the beginning and leaving a deep echo. To me, it is a testament to the talent, dedication and admirable creativity of the young generation of artists.

Artists performing the song Made in VietNam at the V Concert. (Photo: Provided by the character)

Reporter: So what impressions and emotions did the process of working with young artists in the MV leave you with ?

People's Artist Thanh Hoa: I really love the DTAP group and really admire the way you guys work. They are talented and dedicated, work seriously, meticulously and always put the quality of their work first. What impressed me was their ideas from beginning to end, both encapsulating the image of the homeland and the country, and incorporating the folk tones of all three regions.

This comeback is a cross-generational exchange of artists. I want to convey to young people the belief that art has a long-lasting, enduring vitality. Artists, if they keep their passion alive, can devote their whole lives to their profession like me, and at 75 years old, they will continue to contribute. On the contrary, I am also inspired by the music and working spirit of you. I am proud to see that the next generation of artists still have a love for their homeland, are passionate about their profession, and are as enthusiastic as the previous generation.

Working with friends like DTAP, Truc Nhan, Phuong My Chi, I see myself again when I was young: singing day and night, singing while cooking, singing while going to the market, humming even when the rice is boiling, the soup is overflowing. That is a burning passion, a common point between generations, helping Vietnamese art to continue and survive.

(Photo: Character provided)

Reporter: When filming the MV project "Made in VietNam", what moment moved you the most?

People's Artist Thanh Hoa: There are two moments that moved me the most when participating in this MV.

The first scene was filmed at the Vietnam Military History Museum. I was moved not only because I could look back at the photos, but also because when my friends in the group asked me about my memories of Truong Son, memories immediately flooded back. I felt like I was back in the old days, not standing in front of the image of tanks or soldiers in the museum, but before my eyes was the whole forest I had passed through, the stream I had sat next to, the comrades I had sung with, the wounded soldiers who had remained. All those memories came back to life, indescribably emotional. I understand that not every artist has the opportunity to live and sing in the middle of the battlefield. It was those special experiences that became a source of motivation and spiritual strength for me throughout my career.

The second impressive thing was the scene with 100 people. I had never stood among such a large number of real people in a scene. They were not actors, only a few dancers wearing traditional costumes to represent, the rest were cadres, workers, veterans, soldiers, doctors, students... Each person had a story, a real emotion. The veterans, some the same age, some a few years older, came to hug tightly, calling: "Sister Thanh Hoa, this is the first time I've met you".

Many people from the South, speaking the Southern dialect, still recognized and loved me. There were shaking handshakes, emotional glances. Among them, I clearly felt that I was living in the audience’s emotions – a pure emotion, not acting, not arranged. That really made me happy and grateful.

Images of 100 people who are cadres, workers, veterans, soldiers, doctors, students... with outstanding contributions to the country appear in the MV. (Photo: MV "Made in VietNam")

Generational Interplay and National Pride

Reporter: From the music project "Made in VietNam", what do you think about the value of the combination of many generations of artists in music?

People's Artist Thanh Hoa: In my opinion, the combination of generations of artists is of great value. Young artists should learn from their predecessors, especially those with their own style and timbre, but at the same time must maintain their own personality, voice and way of expression. Conversely, the older generation is also inspired by the energy and creativity of the younger generation, helping to regenerate and continue the art.

Music is a spiritual force, which contributed to victory during the war years and to this day, music is still a bridge to spread beauty in culture. Therefore, artists must be responsible for their voice, behavior and lifestyle, so that every time the audience applauds, they not only love the voice but also appreciate the person standing on stage.

For me, the greatest value is to stand on the stage of meaningful programs, associated with the nation. I am always proud to be an artist of the people, working with the people and grateful because it is the people who have created true values for me.

Reporter: With the experience of a veteran People's Artist, what message do you want to send to young artists who want to spread Vietnamese culture and love for the Fatherland through music like the "Made in VietNam" project?

People's Artist Thanh Hoa: I want to emphasize to young artists that music and life are two inseparable concepts. Any work that has the breath of life will last forever. Entertainment music is rich and serves relaxation, but music associated with life is different - it makes people proud, arouses the desire to rise, and is the tone and soul of the Vietnamese people. In the heart of every Vietnamese person, there is always patriotism and the desire for the country to rise, as beautiful as the melody that music brings.

I see the future and longevity of “Made in VietNam” because young people dare to choose that phrase. Many people wonder why they don’t say “My homeland Vietnam” or something else, but “Made in VietNam”. Actually, in the minds of young people, using English – a global representative language – is a message to the new generation: to love Vietnam and affirm that Vietnam is on par with the world. I really love the word “made in”, because it affirms that Vietnam will step out into the world. That is the confidence of the young generation, and I truly appreciate it.

I hope that the upcoming products will bring together the quintessence and Vietnamese tone, not only in music but also in many other fields. “Each profession can have its own “Made in VietNam” – the crystallization of the aspirations, sophistication and heroism of the Vietnamese people, from landscapes, professions, to music.

The MV "Made in Vietnam" is the first product launched as part of the multi-platform communication campaign "Proud of Vietnam" launched by the Central Youth Union in coordination with other units on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day September 2.

CAO HUONG

Source: https://nhandan.vn/nghe-si-nhan-dan-thanh-hoa-made-in-vietnam-la-niem-tu-hao-dan-toc-post900716.html