Returning to Vietnam after more than 10 years away from home in December 2022, the White Ao Dai Tam ca group first opened up about the reason for their disbandment and the life of each sister in a foreign country at The Khang show.
The eldest sister – singer Tuyet Ngan – expressed her surprise and emotion when the group was still warmly welcomed by the audience despite their long absence. After participating in a music night with musician Tran Tien, they did not believe that they suddenly became famous on social networks.
In the 1990s, the Three Caes in White Ao Dai lived together at Children’s House in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Tuyet Ngan is often given a duet by teacher Le Vinh Phuc, and Minh Thu and Minh Tu are duets.
Around 1992, the group “Three Ca in White” with 3 new members was born. They started performing at small stages such as Musicians’ Shop, Youth Cultural House… with the style of “a time to remember”.
“When we stepped out onto the stage, musician Nguyen Van Hien introduced: ‘The appearance of singers in white ao dai – Tam ca in white dress’.
Musician Trinh Cong Son in the audience seats applauded and praised the cute name. Since then, this name has been associated with the singing journey of the three sisters”, Tuyet Ngan said.
Tuyet Ngan, Minh Thu and Minh Tu released many solo and combined albums, of which they remember the Japanese album best.
The album is part of a series of products by a Japanese musician combining Vietnamese vocalists (including Siu Black). During that time, the group spent 1-2 hours studying Japanese every week, practicing pronunciation and singing in Japanese.
Two albums of Tam Ca in White Ao Dai were widely released in Japan, helping the three sisters to be loved by the audience. When they went to Japan, they were recognized by the audience and asked for autographs.
Even when Minh Thu got married, a group of Japanese reporters went to the place to record. MC Nguyen Khang said that with this attraction, Tam ca in white could be called an international star at that time.
‘Distant street’ – Three brothers in white shirt
However, at its peak, the White Ao Tam ca only thought of themselves as “innocent and pure schoolgirls”. The whole group went to the show, the eldest sister Tuyet Ngan always took care of and managed the children, and all the paychecks were asked by her mother to help.
After her mother’s death, their father replaced her mother to continue the work of financial management for her 3 daughters to feel secure in singing. Every week, he leaves 3 pocket money envelopes for his children at the bedside.
When her career was stable, singer Tuyet Ngan got married and followed her family to the US to settle down. Two younger sisters Minh Tu – Minh Thu could not maintain the group’s activities.
In the US, Tuyet Ngan opened a small spa like a dream since she was in Vietnam. After that, Minh Tu also went to the US, settled in California for the health of his son.
The singer said that for 7 years in the US, she did nothing, only spent her accumulated money and focused on taking care of her children.
“In that period, I sometimes sang or edited for church charity programs. The job has a little income, less sadness, helps me relax when living far away from home, “Minh Tu said.
Host Nguyen Khang believes that Minh Tu’s philanthropic activities sow good fortune, partly adding faith and strength to her son to overcome the dangerous period.
Although strong, Minh Tu cannot avoid moments of weakness, wanting to fall. Tuyet Ngan always feels sorry for her sister, hoping she has a shoulder to lean on and share difficulties.
Minh Thu believes that her twin sister has put too much attention and sacrifice on her children, so she no longer thinks about privacy.
For nearly 20 years, the three sisters, the three sisters of the White Ao Dai, were sometimes in Vietnam, sometimes in the US, but rarely lived close to each other to bring the group back to life. Because of the geographical distance, they had to delay their desire to sing for a domestic audience.
After returning home, Tuyet Ngan believes that the three sisters need to think seriously about re-export. She plans to create her own channel, upload old products and update new products so that the audience has a place to listen to the famous group.