'Wushu Queen' Thuy Hien: After glory, I choose a gentle, simple lifestyle

- You've appeared in showbiz a lot lately, is it because Tung Duong invited you to perform in the MV 'Phoenix Wings' - a new composition written by Mars Anh Tu's ex-husband, so you're excited to return?

I don't think I belong to showbiz. I'm the type of person who doesn't like to appear in crowds, doesn't like too much noise, too much sound and light. I like beauty but live simply. I don't like to be tied down by cumbersome, uncomfortable clothes. I like to wear sneakers and sportswear.

Before, in the early days when I broke up with Tu, the press asked a lot of questions but at that time I refused to answer. Now I think differently, I want to appear and hope that everyone who has an unsatisfactory life because of a broken marriage can still live happily and see each other as friends and relatives.

Regarding the MV "Phoenix Wings", everyone must have been impressed by my Gold Medal achievement in previous years so they invited me to participate. I used to act in movies and perform on stage so I understand that a few seconds of appearing in a MV is very laborious and not simple. The martial arts scene may impress everyone but as a professional, my martial arts moves in the MV did not satisfy me.

- If you could do extra work, what would you like to do?

I want my martial arts moves to be more clearly seen or a little more fictional. Like Chinese and American martial arts movies, they also have to use special effects to create highlights. I think my appearance time is a bit short, so there is not enough time to show the audience attractive martial arts moves. But at this age, trying to be flexible is really difficult.

- Do you have health problems?

Due to the erratic sunshine and rain, the unstable weather often causes bone pain, back pain, neck and shoulder pain, body aches, and muscle stiffness in the back, hips, and neck. However, I think "living with it", only I understand my health to take care of it, exercise appropriately, and maintain the best health condition.

Every profession has its downsides, especially sports. When I devoted myself to sports in the 1990s, the economic conditions were not yet developed, nutrition and recovery for athletes were not focused on. Meanwhile, the training load of top athletes was under great pressure. But because I love martial arts so much and am a person who tries hard compared to my own health.

Compared to the entire Vietnamese team at that time, I was the weakest. So the health effects later on affected me the most. Everyone recovers very quickly after a training session or when they are no longer a top athlete, they return to normal very quickly.

I and Anh Tu still consider each other as friends.

- The breakup between you and musician Anh Tu still receives public attention, most of whom express their admiration because you still consider each other friends. As an insider, how do you view it?

Many couples are still friends after breaking up, and so are we. Not to mention we have two children together, and many things are related, so we cannot see each other as strangers. There is no love left, but there is still affection, which may be different from many families. My children also love and are very attached to their older sister and their younger siblings' families. I always teach my children to focus on family affection, even if their father gets married, their younger siblings are still their blood relatives.

Both Tu and I see the good things. Even grandparents on both sides care about each other and the children feel "happy".

- After breaking up, many couples choose to "not be related", why does Thuy Hien choose to stay together and accompany each other?

I think that if I have to raise two children myself and have any health or financial problems, of course Tu will not be at ease. The two children must be well, happy and healthy with their mother so that they can receive my support. I also understand that no matter what happens, Tu is willing to support me in any way he can.

We do not have a wedding

- SAfter her first marriage failed, she found a new love and decided to remarry. The truth is…

With the second man, we did not have a wedding, just an intimate meal. We did not register our marriage, we had nothing in common. We felt happy and lived together, and when we found we were not compatible, we became normal friends. We were friends since childhood, then met again when we were both single. He secretly liked me since we were teenagers.

While living together, we saw many differences so we decided to break up. I looked at everything lightly, without hatred or blame.

-Are you afraid of negative views and comments about your decisions?

No! The things I do are very civilized. Why should I be afraid of outsiders judging the good things I do for those around me?

After all the glory and bitterness, after all, everyone has only one life, so why not choose to be happy, think about everything lightly and simply. Living happily keeps you young.

Glory is too great, silence is too bitter

-Having gone through more than half of your life, with glory and sadness, how did you overcome your weakest moments?

My life has many memorable things, great glory, but when I am quiet, it is too bitter. When raising children, although Tu is by my side, I only dare to bother him to some extent. During those years, Tu also tried very hard and struggled, so I do not want him to worry or be sad anymore.

Actually, the only time that I have difficulty is when my children are sick, and whether I have a lot of money or little money, I don't really care. But I am not a Buddha, so I never get angry, frustrated, or upset about many problems in life. At times like that, I go to a place where there is no one, sit down and cry. I often cry alone, crying so that I don't want to vent my anger on my children.

-You say that you always "keep your sadness to yourself", so how can you live happily?

I am a simple person at heart. When I was young, I could have chosen a life with everything, not having to worry about finances, just dressing well and taking care of my children, but I didn't choose it because it wasn't important. I want when I like a man, that man likes me and we like each other.

If my finances are bad, I will buy cheap clothes. When I go out, people will not love me because I wear designer clothes or drive a luxury car. I choose what is suitable and comfortable for myself and those around me. The value I bring to the community is what makes people love and respect me.

I still live as the elders taught: "Living in a gourd is round, living in a tube is long". I am happy with my current life situation. By keeping myself in that state of mind, I also pass that energy on to my children, living peacefully and happily. In the small house, the whole family takes care of it, keeping the family clean so that the house is warm, mother and children love each other, everywhere is home. So my house is always happy, when my children's friends come to the house they don't want to go home.

-What do you say about your two daughters, Ngan Ha and Lam Phuong?

Both my children are very well-behaved. Ngan Ha has many artistic traits like her father. Lam Phuong is like me, always working quietly and meticulously. Lam Phuong is a very introverted girl, she focuses on studying.

- What are you planning for the near future?

In addition to wanting to cheer for athletes in particular, I am also very interested in community activities in general. I want to contribute more to the community than just sports. As a woman who has experienced many difficulties in life, I understand and want to be an inspiration, especially for women and young people.

Recently, I and some friends in Hanoi established a shelter for abandoned children, helping mothers with financial difficulties who cannot give birth. This shelter will help poor pregnant mothers give birth and support jobs so that they can raise their children themselves.