Hanoi [Vietnam], February 17: "Television doesn't have the concept of leaving work on time," MC Hạnh Phúc shared when talking to a Thanh Nien reporter about his work at Vietnam Television (VTV). According to him, pressure is already constant due to the continuous broadcasting schedule and high accuracy requirements, but the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year) are truly the peak.
"Tet (Lunar New Year) begins many weeks before New Year's Eve. Programs like 'Spring Square,' 'Van Xuan' (broadcast on New Year's Eve), and special episodes serving political purposes or major national events are all concentrated around this time. Filming schedules are continuous, scripts are constantly revised to keep up with the spring atmosphere, and post-production is also more tightly controlled because this is the time of year when viewers spend the most time in front of their screens," Phuc explained.
To ensure the spring programs air on time, the crew sometimes has to film during the still-cold winter days. Phuc laughed as he recounted how, on some days, he stood on stage in a thin ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress), under bright lights, with lively spring music playing, while the cold wind still blew outside. "That's also a 'specialty' of the profession every Tet (Lunar New Year)," he said jokingly. The spring atmosphere is created in the studio, from the backdrop and lighting to each frame; everything has to be perfect and meticulous.
Another time, he followed the crew to Khanh Hoa to film for " Loving Couples ," wading through streams and crossing roads to meet deadlines. The work started before December even arrived and lasted until New Year's Eve, when the streets were already bustling with preparations for family reunions. "Making a Tet program is more stressful because there's no chance to correct mistakes, and the deadline can't be postponed," Phuc shared.
But it is precisely amidst this hectic pace that the Tet holiday atmosphere arrives earlier for those working in the profession. As the entire crew diligently works amidst the red colors, the sounds of spring music, and stories of family reunions, they feel as if they are experiencing Tet before everyone else. And then, after New Year's Eve, when the program airs in its entirety, it's another Tet - relaxed, warm, and full of inspiration.
Family: A place to return to, especially on New Year's Day.
Known for his bright appearance, expressive voice, and warm smile, behind that familiar image lie significant hardships. In 2012, Phuc faced leukemia. He recounted that it was a time that forced him to learn to stay calm, and his family was his only support system, a source of comfort amidst the uncertainty. In 2024, his second child suffered respiratory distress shortly after birth, requiring emergency treatment and nearly a month in the hospital. "Once again, my family kept me from breaking down," he said.
After those events, Phuc realized that fame and achievements can change. Only family love, once lost, is very difficult to get back. For him, family is not only a source of encouragement but also an emotional "regulator," helping him maintain balance amidst the unique pressures of television work - which is always fast-paced and intense, not to mention his teaching job and postgraduate studies. He admits he's busy, but never feels overwhelmed. Because when he returns home, a family meal, a simple question, or the feeling of being waited for is enough to recharge his energy.
The early days of spring are therefore even more special. His family maintains the tradition of celebrating New Year's Eve together, sharing a New Year's meal, and then gathering to watch programs on Vietnam Television. On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the whole family returns to their ancestral home in Ninh Binh, which is also the anniversary of his grandmother's death. His nearly five-year-old daughter eagerly asks her parents about their trip back home for the New Year. Phuc says that this makes him happier than any New Year's greeting, because "a tree has roots, a river has a source," and his children will need to know where they come from in the future, no matter what they do.
Currently, he dedicates a lot of time to work. But according to Phuc, balance isn't about dividing time equally, but about how one is present. When working, he focuses intensely because television doesn't tolerate superficiality. And when he's at home, he chooses to put aside the pressure, to be a son, a husband, and a father - fully and peacefully.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
