Seoul [South Korea], February 22: In a family of three sisters who all pursued singing careers, Ha Phương is the most private and least publicly visible. While Minh Tuyết and Cẩm Ly have continued performing regularly, Ha Phương chose a quieter life, dedicating herself to her family in the United States. Her long absence from the spotlight led many to wonder: Had she stepped away from the stage for good, or had she sacrificed her career for a life of luxury?
Ha Phương is not afraid to transform herself in her own music nights, from singing to acting.
Looking back on that period, she shared that she never stopped loving her profession - she simply chose to prioritize her family. "For many years, I devoted all my time to my children. I only planned to return once they entered university. My husband Chính is very busy, and in the U.S., shows usually take place on weekends. If I performed often, it would be hard for the family to spend time together," she explained.
For her, those years meant holding back personal desires to fulfill her role as a mother and wife. On the outside, she appeared calm, but behind that composure were many moments of self-persuasion to keep waiting. "Of course I missed singing. But I kept telling myself - just wait a little longer until the kids are more settled," she admitted.
It wasn't until her youngest child was directly admitted to university that she truly felt ready to think about herself again. "At that moment, I felt relieved. I knew it was time to return. My husband and children supported me, which gave me even more motivation," she shared.
According to the singer, organizing a large-scale live show requires many new songs and proper investment. Therefore, this recent music night was considered a starting step - both to gauge audience reactions and to help her regain the feeling of standing on stage. Choosing to hold a mini live show on New Year's Eve was seen as a risky decision, since audiences usually prioritize family gatherings. Ha Phương admitted she was nervous. "I was afraid too. Everyone is busy with their families that night, so I decided to start small to test the waters," she said.
During the many years she stayed home caring for her family, Ha Phương also faced rumors that her husband controlled her and prevented her from performing. She firmly denied these claims. "Anh Chính has never stopped me from singing. Staying home was my own choice. Our family is financially comfortable, so I never felt pressured to earn money," she clarified. She emphasized that her husband respects her decisions and supports her return. "I truly love this profession - I just chose to put family first."
Upon returning to her career, Ha Phương not only faced pressure from the stage but also from constant public scrutiny on social media. "When I stay home, people say I depend on my husband. When I perform, they spread rumors that our marriage is in trouble. Sometimes I wonder how to live in a way that pleases everyone," she said. The rumors not only affected her but also worried her fans. "Sometimes fans even call to check on me, and I have to reassure them."
Over time, she learned to ignore unfounded gossip. Carrying the label of a "billionaire singer," she was also rumored to be difficult to book and to demand high performance fees. However, she insisted the reality is the opposite. "Many show organizers invite me. If it feels suitable, I accept at a reasonable rate - there's no overcharging." The singer of Hoa cau vườn trầu added that she returned out of passion, not to overload herself with performances. "I sing because I love it, not because of financial pressure," she said.
After years of living amid rumors, Ha Phương shared that her family has become almost immune to gossip. When asked whether her husband gets jealous of her "on-stage partners," she responded candidly: "When I decided to return, we already knew people would talk. My family was mentally prepared, so it doesn't affect us. Some online stories are even written like dramatic scripts - we just laugh them off."
Having gone through many ups and downs, the singer no longer feels the need to satisfy public opinion. For her, family remains her strongest foundation, while music is an irreplaceable passion. "If the passion is there, I return. Family is still the priority. As for public opinion, I've learned to smile and move forward."
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
