Q: You became famous early on with songs like “The Country of Love” and “Uoc mo xanh” (Green Dream), then were absent for many years. Recently, you have returned to music with many new works. Could you share a bit about your recently released album?
A: The album “Tro ve ky uc” (Returning to Memories) includes nine songs in various styles and genres, including revolutionary music, folk-inspired music, chamber music, and classical. Meritorious Artist Hoang Tung performed them wonderfully. When he sang a few folk-style songs I wrote, my colleague commented: "Previously, I thought Meritorious Artist Hoang Tung only excelled in chamber music, but now he sounds so sweet, pure, vibrant, and innocent—very folk, very true to life." I believe this is a great feat between me and the 2003 Sao Mai Champion.
Q: In the world of art, many artists become famous with just a few works and then stop. But you, at an age when one might just want to enjoy life, have surprisingly returned with a passionate flow of creativity and tireless work. Where did that calling begin?
A: I have loved music since I was very young. My family let me learn the mandolin, and my father also taught me to play the Hawaiian guitar from an early age. I pursued my passion for music, even taking a ‘detour’ to become a teacher before applying to the conservatory. But life took me down another path, and more than 40 years later, I returned to music when I was already living far from my homeland. I began to write, composing as soon as I felt inspired, writing as if time were running out.
I only compose when I am truly inspired. I usually build the framework of a song within a few hours, then complete the details afterwards. The most important thing is how to have the emotion to immediately shape the structure. Fine-tuning the details is simple. That is why I compose very quickly. On the other hand, if there is no emotion, I can go a whole week without writing a single line. At those times, I stop and turn to reading books, watching films, or taking walks.
Q: Though you live and work in Scotland, your music is imbued with the spirit and essence of Vietnam, especially folk elements. How do you explain that?
A: I can adapt easily to any environment. Scotland is my husband’s homeland and has become my second home. Life here is peaceful and civilised, but the longer I stay away, the stronger my longing for home grows, and the more vivid the nostalgia becomes. To me, home is in the folk songs, the storks gliding over rice fields, the sound of a flute echoing at dusk… All of it is the soul of Vietnam.
All the songs I have composed in recent years share a common theme of nostalgia. Perhaps it is because I am older now, so everything I see, hear, or feel here instantly brings me back to childhood memories and youthful days. That feeling is always present in me. Sometimes, while composing, I even cry like a child, missing the old scenes, our family home, my parents and siblings, the banyan tree, the river wharf, the season of blooming red silk-cotton flowers. I compose music to give thanks for the kindness and sacrifices made for the nation, and to express this deep and long-held yearning for my homeland.
Composing for me now goes beyond the pursuit of fame or gain. I compose as a way to “repay” the love and blessings life has given me. I compose because the love for music still flows abundantly in my heart.
Since 2019, Le Giang has composed 53 songs and released five albums, including “Noi nho chang phai” (Unfading Memories), “Nhung bong hoa mau xanh” (Blue Flowers), “Tieng sao lung doi” (The Flute Behind the Hill), “Di qua mien nho” (Passing Through Memories) and “Tro ve ky uc” (Returning to Memories).
Q: Does your Scottish husband often listen to and comment on your works?
A: My husband is ethnically Scottish, but he often tells me that in a past life, he must have been Asian—Vietnamese even. Every time I finish a song and post the video, he is the first to listen, click “like”, and leave a comment about his feelings. He listens attentively and is deeply moved by the nostalgic songs I compose. Though he does not understand Vietnamese, he says he understands them through the language of music. He is proud of me and always encourages and respects my work as a composer. That makes me very happy!
Q: Besides composing, you also run a busy business. How do you balance your time to make space for songwriting?
A: If you live abroad and do not engage with the local community, life can feel very dull. I run a Gallery–Café, like a miniature Vietnam, open daily from 11 am to 5 pm. I enjoy having a place to go, work to do, and people to meet each day. In the evenings, after dinner, that becomes my private time with music. With my piano, I can freely immerse myself in my creative world. I only wish for good health, so I can continue to contribute to others, to my homeland, and life.
Thank you very much!
