Lệ Thu – Sống như một điệu jazz quyến rũ, du dương

This woman evokes a mix of admiration and envy. Because she treats life with passion and joy. Her hands know how to capture every moment of happiness and pride.

At the year-end party of FV Hospital, perhaps the person who attracted the most attention was Nguyen Thi Le Thu, the hospital’s Director of Marketing and Business Development. She shed her usual elegant exterior and transformed into a professional dancer to the tune of Kenny G’s Besame Mucho. Observers saw her move gracefully one moment, then soar through the air with the complex motions of a Rumba the next. She left the audience in awe because at her age, few can do what she did.

The flame of passion burns eternally

At first glance, one sees a Nguyen Thi Le Thu who is always impeccable in her attire. Everything must be beautiful and perfectly suited to her toned, petite frame. Her signature messy-chic hairstyle and tanned skin stand out. Le Thu is impressive when immersed in jazz music, or laughing radiantly beside her partner at evening parties. It is easy to assume that Le Thu must be an artist. She looks so artistic, so graceful. Yet, she is a businesswoman working in the medical field.

Indeed, just mention work, and Le Thu becomes an entirely different person. Very serious, decisive, and precise. Because the work she does is unlike other business sectors. Everything relates to the health and lives of human beings. With every storm that blows in, Le Thu patiently seeks every effective solution. She has become the right-hand woman to the hospital’s CEO – Mr. Jean-Marcel Guillon, who is also her life partner.

When she takes off her "work coat," Le Thu returns to being a very affectionate woman. She does not hesitate to express love or appreciation for someone through her actions. Try sharing a bit of your sadness with her. She will immediately arrange a cozy dinner and invite friends over to comfort you. Le Thu is skilled at connecting people and winning them over with all her sincerity and sophistication.

The connection with Jazz

Nguyen Thi Le Thu is special in that she does not let the word "busy" tie her down. Others say they are "busy with work" or "busy living." But her life is like a good, strange, distinct, unique, and improvisational jazz piece. She learns French, reads books, goes diving to watch fish and coral...

Ever since Jean-Marcel introduced Le Thu to Jazz in 2003, she has loved it so much that she could stay up all night listening to music with her husband until dawn. "Then sleep in until noon the next day," she jokes. Willing to do anything for her passion. The flame within this woman burns as intensely as a melodic jazz passage reaching a crescendo, echoing with the sound of a trumpet.

The melancholic notes within Nguyen Thi Le Thu

But then every piece of music has its quiet, melancholic intervals. During those notes in life, she lives very slowly. At such times, you will see a different Le Thu. Calm amidst the hectic work. And peaceful in the love of a woman who has reached full maturity. With her small family, she returns to the role of a wife and a mother. With the joy of cooking, to watch her loved ones enjoy a warm, delicious meal. No two days are alike; she cooks based on improvisation and emotion, so that every passing day is a poetic secret. Just like that, her life is like a jazz tune – not meant for the masses, but once you appreciate it, you will find it irresistibly captivating.

Excerpted from Harper’s Bazaar magazine, March 2018 issue

Stylist: Hong Hanh
Photo: Milor Tran
Makeup: Tung Chau
Fashion: Lam Gia Khang, Vo Cong Khanh, Umbrella
Accessories: Lovisa
Location: Hotel Des Arts Saigon