The White Shirt Trio first spoke about the reason for leaving showbiz, revealing life abroad

The White Shirt Trio was formed in 1992, consisting of three biological sisters Tuyet Ngan (middle), and twins Minh Thu and Minh Tu. They were widely loved by audiences through many songs such as Entering Summer, A Time to Remember, Faraway Street, Gentle Street Corner...

Many people say not singing again is a mistake to the audience.

* Hello White Shirt Trio! After many years of not being active in the arts, the audience still remembers the group when they meet again. How do you feel?

- Tuyet Ngan: We have never felt so happy. For the past 18 years, we have not been very active, mainly doing church activities. When we return to Vietnam, people still remember us, which makes us very happy. Recently, when singing at the showInstead of words, we were very nervous. It was the feeling of returning after so many years but not knowing how people would receive us, even though we were still as passionate as before. When we finished singing, the audience came to take pictures with us. Some people even burst into tears, saying that we were sorry to our fans for not coming back to perform.

* Until now, many people still wonder why, when they were so loved, the White Shirt Trio suddenly disappeared?

- We decided not to join showbiz because each of us has our own life. I take care of my small family, I don't want to divide my time between my children and art. I put my passion aside, fulfill my duties as a mother, take care of my children and occasionally return to my profession to visit the audience. Although we are absent, we do not give up everything and still participate in church performances. That is our joy when living in America.

* Having gotten used to being on stage, how did you return to normal life?

- When I have a family and children, of course I have to stop my artistic activities. At that time, I wanted to work, but I had to be steadfast in my choice. There are many singers who both work in the arts and take care of their families very well, I admire them. As for us, we are a band, one person being willing to sing is not enough. Arranging time for all three of those times is very difficult.

Tuyet Ngan currently lives in Tennessee (USA). She has two children, a boy and a girl.

- Minh Tu: We always regret it. Because in the members' minds at that time, we were standing on stage, performing. But family is also very important, it helps fill the void when we are no longer doing art much. Honestly, for us, as long as one person has a happy family, we are willing to step back. When the conditions are right, we will work together immediately.

- Minh Thu: During that time, we still met and sang together regularly in church performances so we weren't too empty. Performing in showbiz will have a different mood, but performing in church is different. On the big stage requires meticulousness and innovation, but we didn't have time to do that because everyone had a family. At that time, Ngan had just gone to America, then Tu, so we couldn't focus on practicing. If we didn't do well, our image wouldn't be the same as before. So we wanted to keep the best image in the eyes of the audience.

* Many contemporary artists now have a place in the profession. Do you think that if the White Shirt Trio had not been busy with family matters back then, they would have had a worthy position?

- Tuyet Ngan: Actually, we still have our own place in the hearts of the audience. That is the most beautiful and best image. If we didn't have a family, we would still continue. But because of the circumstances, we stopped. Until now, many people still realize that, that proves that we also have our own audience. We don't hold on any longer, it's better to stop and have the audience love us than to continue without practicing properly, without connecting with each other, the performance will not be good. At that time, our image in the hearts of the audience will not be beautiful anymore.

Minh Tu is busy with the life of a single mother. She is proud of her obedient son, always by his mother's side.

After leaving showbiz, we rarely appeared because we wanted to choose a peaceful life for ourselves. My three sisters also reminded me to live in reality, because if I imagined I was still a singer, it would make things difficult for my family. I had to live realistically. Luckily, everything went smoothly and happily. Our children grew up well-behaved. That is what my three sisters are proud of.

During the absence, we also updated news about the showbiz market in Vietnam every day. Currently, the group is most impressed with Toc Tien because she is very talented. Coming back from abroad, she has rebuilt her career like that, which is very good. Or Orange is also very talented.

We live in peace and happiness

* In the past, the band model was very developed, but now it's almost just solo singing. What do you think about this?

- Tuyet Ngan: Singing in a group is very difficult, not easy. Our advantage is that we are three sisters, living in the same house, practicing together. Whether there is anger or love, it is all contained within the family. So everything is easier for us. The three of us have to agree to be successful. But now everyone has their own ego, and there is competition in the same group. Because we are three sisters, I am the one who decides everything, from costumes, lessons... But I also bring it up for discussion. Sometimes we argue but it is to have the best solution. To be honest, it is very difficult to listen to each other. For us, in a group, if you are good but the other two are not good, you will not be successful. Choosing songs and dividing lines depends on each person's voice quality.

In the past, we didn’t care about our salaries. We gave all the money we earned from singing to our parents. After performing for many years, the happiest thing was to be able to send money home to our families. Of course, we knew the amount, but we didn’t care much. The good thing was that we were all of the same mind, only wanting to save as much money as possible to make our parents happy.

Because her husband has a company in Vietnam, Minh Thu travels back and forth between the two countries to take care of her husband and her son who is studying in the US.

* Is it true that the lives of the members of the White Shirt Trio group are full and prosperous, and they don't need to worry about money?

- We live peacefully, happily but still normally. It's just that the group doesn't need to work hard or compete. As for enough, how is enough called enough? Just knowing enough is enough.

* There used to be a view that "9 and a half out of 10 Vietnamese artists who go to America want to return" because they don't have many opportunities to perform in America. What do you think?

- Tuyet Ngan: In reality, that's true, because in America there is no stage to perform on every day, I have to find other jobs. In Vietnam, I get to perform more. But I have to live realistically, wherever I go, I have to follow the local customs. If I keep daydreaming, my life will not be peaceful. If I keep fantasizing about myself, my family life will not be happy. I have to be realistic, living in the present moment. Of course, the first stage was also very difficult, I had to fight fiercely in my mind, always having to fight mentally. I have to know how to step back, I can't think that I'm a singer, why do I have to go into the kitchen to cook, have to compete with life.

- Minh Tú: At present, jobs like cooking and taking care of the family are happiness for us. In the past, we didn't know how to do anything, but now we know how to do everything. My value lies there. I feel like I'm a better person, I know how to do everything. In the past, I even had someone to iron my clothes, but now I have to do everything myself. But I don't do it in a frustrated mood, but in a very comfortable mood. I'm very happy and joyful when I can do those things. I'm the one who assembles the study table for my child. I do everything by myself, but I love it because it's my hobby.

After more than ten years, the group still maintains a youthful, radiant appearance. The three sisters occasionally perform at churches to satisfy their passion.

* With your current life, what do you desire most?

- Tuyet Ngan: I always wish for my family to be safe, for my children to grow up and be obedient, and to follow their dreams. That is my greatest happiness right now.

- Minh Tu: I have been a single mother for a long time, so what I want most is to have health and peace. I hope my child goes on the right path and is obedient. Just that alone is enough to make me happy. The life of a single mother is of course more difficult than before because I do everything by myself. I am both a father and a mother, both gentle and firm. It is very difficult for me to teach my child during puberty, especially in the American environment. Luckily, my child has not changed much as he grows up, he is always by my side and can confide in me about everything. I really want him to grow up obediently. I do not need him to have any outstanding achievements, just to be a good person. Luckily, he listens and is very obedient.

I often say that my shoulders and hands are my son. My son is 20 years old and he is stronger than me. I am happy when we are together. Ms. Ngan often scolds me that we have to separate. I have never thought about what would happen to me one day when my son has a girlfriend. Because we are always together. As for finding new happiness, if there is a chance, it will come because it is fate. I do not say anything in advance, but of course a woman really needs and craves the feeling of being cared for by others.

- Minh Thu: I always wish for my family to be peaceful. Because when there is peace, I will have everything. If my children are obedient and study well, my family understands each other, is warm and happy, then my life will be comfortable and joyful.

* Thank you, White Shirt Trio, for taking the time to share. Wishing you good health and more success in the future.