WATCH VIDEO: NSND Thanh Ngoan sings “Happiness and Sorrow with Husband”
The name of NSND Thanh Ngoan is associated with many unique and challenging roles in “Quan Am Thi Kinh”, “Ho Xuan Huong”, “Noi Dau Tinh Me”, and “Vo Chong Ca Doc”, among others.
In her profession, her reputation carries significant weight, commanding respect from her peers. Many people consider NSND Thanh Ngoan a representative of a generation dedicated to preserving and promoting the traditional art of cheo singing to the masses, contributing to the uniqueness of Vietnamese art.
Thanh Ngoan began learning cheo singing at the age of 7 or 8, performing on a small community stage by the time she was 9, and pursuing a professional career at 13. She dedicated over 40 years of her life to the Vietnamese Cheo Theater until her retirement. In 2019, the artist from Thai Binh province was honored with the title of People’s Artist of Vietnam in recognition of her artistic endeavors and contributions over four decades.
A glimpse of NSND Thanh Ngoan in her younger days.
Beyond her innate talent and accolades, the female People’s Artist also mentors and teaches younger generations. In contrast to her successful career, she experienced several setbacks in her personal life until she met her second husband. This relationship brought comfort and fulfillment to Thanh Ngoan, as her partner, despite being seven years her junior, showered her with love, care, and the best of everything within his means. The only regret they share is not having a child together.
Divorced her first husband due to his domineering nature, found happiness with a younger man but couldn’t conceive a child together
NSND Thanh Ngoan’s first marriage was not a happy one. Her former husband, who also worked in the arts, wanted her to give up her cheo singing career and devote herself entirely to being a housewife. Unwilling to compromise her passion, she divorced him in 2000 and raised their 7-year-old son alone. Today, her son is over 30 years old and has a family of his own.
The artist’s first marriage was not a happy one.
Not long after her divorce, Thanh Ngoan found a suitable partner—a man from Hanoi who worked in construction and was seven years her junior. Their relationship evolved from a platonic “older sister-younger brother” dynamic into a romantic union. Despite their age difference and contrasting personalities, they chose to live together after careful consideration. Thanh Ngoan felt that age was not a barrier, as her partner was mature, understanding, and supportive of her love for cheo singing. During the time she was working on her doctoral thesis in Performing Arts, her husband stayed up with her at night to provide moral support.
However, what touched her the most was how her partner loved and bonded with her son from her previous marriage, treating him as his own flesh and blood despite their lack of a biological connection. There were times when she returned from a performance to find the two of them taking care of each other, or her son confiding in his stepfather about things he didn’t share with her.
The artist’s current husband, who is seven years her junior.
In a recent interview, NSND Thanh Ngoan shared: “He and Duc (NSND Thanh Ngoan’s son) get along well. When my son was younger, my husband took care of his schooling and picked him up. They developed a close bond, and my son started calling him ‘dad’ naturally. My son also reminds him not to drink too much and to take care of his health. They talk to each other like two men.”
For NSND Thanh Ngoan, her second marriage feels like a recompense for her past. The only regret she has is not bearing a child with her current husband, despite being together for over 20 years. She once felt that she had “let her husband down” by prioritizing her career and not thinking about having a child, and now it feels too late. Although her husband doesn’t consider this a significant issue, she still sees it as “her own shortcoming.” “It would have been more perfect if we had a child together,” she added.
NSND Thanh Ngoan shared that her husband often takes her out for rides, has a relaxed personality, and occasionally treats his wife, children, and grandchildren.
The “Queen of Northern Cheo Singing” emotionally expressed: “I only regret that my husband and I don’t have a child together. If we had, it would have been wonderful, but he says it’s fine either way. Deep down, I still feel it’s my own shortcoming. I once told him, ‘If you ever feel the need for a change, please tell me.’ I want him to have complete happiness. But up to this point, we’re still together. I’m not selfish or possessive. We’re open and honest with each other.”
Approaching her 60s but still youthful and vibrant, she attributes her ageless beauty to her positive outlook on life and shares her financial rules for living with her Gen Z daughter-in-law
Currently, NSND Thanh Ngoan lives with her younger husband and her son’s family in Hanoi. She shared that her children have not mentioned moving out because they enjoy the closeness and companionship of living together. This arrangement also provides opportunities for family members to get to know and bond with each other better.
NSND Thanh Ngoan is now retired and in her 60s.
The artist has also become a grandmother and spends time helping her children care for their grandchildren since her retirement from the Vietnamese Cheo Theater. She shared that even after over 20 years of marriage, she and her husband maintain affectionate habits, such as him enjoying driving her to work and the family making an effort to eat dinner together every night, dining out once a week.
Recently, NSND Thanh Ngoan revealed their family’s financial arrangements: “We have a set of rules in our household. Each month, we spend about 15 million VND on essentials and 5 million VND on our grandchild’s education. My husband contributes 5 million VND, I contribute 5 million VND, and each of our children contributes 5 million VND. Everyone puts their share into a common fund for the family. If there’s a shortfall, either my husband or I will make up the difference, or if someone earns more, they’ll contribute more. But the principle is that everyone contributes to avoid any sense of dependency. My daughter-in-law is very happy with this arrangement. As for whether I help out additionally, that’s a separate matter. For example, if my daughter-in-law wants to buy something or change cars and needs a little extra, I’ll help her out.”
Thanh Ngoan and her husband at their son’s wedding four years ago.
Her daughter-in-law, born in 1998, is treated like a daughter by NSND Thanh Ngoan, who considers herself a modern and understanding mother-in-law. She shared: “My daughter-in-law knows that I’m a strict person, so during their six-year relationship before marriage, I was always straightforward and honest with her. Once I say something, I follow through. Whenever there’s an issue, no matter how small, I sit down and talk it out with my husband and children. My daughter-in-law feels comfortable and knows where she stands with me. I treat her like my own daughter, and some people even say I spoil her (laughs).”
Compared to her younger days, NSND Thanh Ngoan’s appearance hasn’t changed much, and her skin remains firm and radiant even in her 60s.
The renowned cheo artist is praised for her youthful appearance, attributed to her positive outlook on life.
At present, despite being in her 60s, NSND Thanh Ngoan looks much younger than her age. She attributes her youthful appearance and vitality to her “cheerful and welcoming personality,” as described by those around her. They also commend her for being “witty and full of life.”
The artist humorously added: “I only display my feisty side on stage. If I were like that at home, our family would fall apart (laughs). I’m friendly and easy to get along with, so people like me, even my daughter-in-law. I get along well with my in-laws, too. Even after my ex-husband remarried, his parents still consider me their daughter-in-law.”
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