Ha Chau: Female singer is a Captain, married with no children, considers her grandchildren as her own children

In the flow of Vietnamese music, there are artists who choose the spotlight, and there are also those who choose to quietly contribute, leaving their mark with their personality and love for the profession. Singer Ha Chau, daughter of the late musician Bac Son, is one of those people.

Youth in soldier's uniform: Singing and fighting hardships

Born in 1957, in a family with an artistic tradition, Ha Chau soon revealed her talent for singing. In 1976, at the age of 18, she was admitted to the Military Region 7 Art Troupe - one of the army's famous art units. From here, she officially entered the artistic path, but it was a path associated with the green shirt, with the spirit of serving and contributing to the Fatherland.

At that time, the life of a soldier-artist was full of hardship. During the six months of the dry season, Ha Chau and her teammates traveled to different units to perform for the troops. During the six months of the rainy season, they trained, created programs, and honed their performance and professional skills. Sweat mixed with the red soil of the East, Ha Chau's voice became a source of comfort and encouragement for thousands of soldiers.

From a young singer, Ha Chau quickly matured and was assigned many important responsibilities such as stage manager, show producer, and program director. She was once considered a typical singer of the military art movement in the 1980s. Her years in the army trained her in discipline, courage, and a deep love for music.

Leaving the army but not leaving the comrades

After many years of service in the army, Ha Chau decided to leave the army while holding the rank of Captain, to develop her personal singing career. It was a big turning point - because for many people, leaving the army uniform means leaving a part of their youth. But for Ha Chau, even though she left the army, she still "carry" the spirit of a soldier in her heart.

She often returns to perform in commemorative programs, comrade meetings, and always proudly introduces herself as a daughter of Military Zone 7. In each song, Ha Chau always conveys the pride of a former soldier - whether singing on a big stage or in simple charity programs.

A beautiful but unfinished marriage

In 1984, Ha Chau married the Captain of the Military Region 7 Band, a calm and talented violinist. They met in an artistic environment, sharing the same passion and understanding each other's silent sacrifices.

However, during 34 years of marriage, the couple did not have children. "We loved each other, but fate did not allow us to have children. At that time, I performed a lot, my husband was busy with work, so we just let God decide," she once confided.

After retirement, her husband became the Director of a subsidiary company of his wife’s sister – singer Bich Thuy. In 2018, he passed away due to liver disease, leaving Ha Chau alone in loneliness and emptiness. She had experienced a great mental shock, and it took her many years to regain her balance.

Having no children, Ha Chau devoted her love to her nieces and nephews – her sister’s children – and considered them as her own. It was her niece who was always by her side, taking care of her, accompanying her during the holidays, helping her ease the loneliness of old age.

Financially well off, but still lonely

After her husband passed away, Ha Chau lived in a house that was provided on Tran Hung Dao Street, Ho Chi Minh City. Later, following the advice of her family, she sold the house, deposited the money in the bank and moved to live with her sister in Binh Tan District. She lived on the second and third floors of the building, while her sister lived on the ground floor for convenience.

Although her current life is not lacking in material things, deep down, Ha Chau still carries the loneliness of a quiet artist. "Now I don't lack anything, I have enough money, but sometimes I still feel empty. Many nights, remembering my youth as a singer, I shed tears," she shared with Nguoi Lao Dong newspaper.

At nearly 70 years old, every time she remembers her old tours – the nights singing in the middle of the forest, or on the red dirt in the middle of the barracks – she still gets choked up. She said: "Just being able to stand on stage makes me feel young again. I am lucky to still be able to sing, to still be remembered by the audience. As long as that is possible, I am still happy."

Unlike many artists of her generation who have retired, Ha Chau still regularly teaches music and performs in charity programs. She said that music is the "lifeblood" that helps her overcome years of loneliness and loss.

Her voice – after decades – is still bright and full of emotion. Every time she steps on stage, Ha Chau seems to return to her 20s, with sparkling eyes and a gentle smile. Although she no longer pursues fame, she is still loved by colleagues and audiences for her sincerity, simplicity and the demeanor of a true artist.

"I don't hope to be famous, I just hope to continue singing. As long as the audience still claps, it means I'm still useful," she said in a recent exchange.

Many colleagues commented that Ha Chau is a "gentle but strong" person, always living with love and affection. She does not care about fame or competition, but chooses to contribute quietly - just like the way she sang to the soldiers during the war years.

A mirror of the artist-soldier generation

At nearly 70 years old, Ha Chau still maintains a strong voice, an optimistic spirit and pride in her military service. She considers it the most beautiful and memorable period of her life. For her, "the most precious thing is to be remembered by the audience and to still be able to sing today."

In a small room in Binh Tan district, among old photos and certificates of merit from Military Zone 7, people still see Ha Chau diligently playing the guitar, with lesson plans, with familiar songs. At an age when many people choose to be peaceful, she still chooses to live her life for music.

Ha Chau’s life story is not only the journey of a singer – captain, but also a testament to a generation of artists who are attached to the country with all their hearts. They may not be as brilliant as TV stars, but they are the ones who sing to preserve the faith, spread love and preserve beautiful memories of an entire period.

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