SỐNG, YÊU & MỈM CƯỜI NHƯ LỆ THU

Everyone has their own definition of a beautiful life. Entrepreneur Le Thu defines hers through every specific moment she lives with herself and everything around her, encapsulated in three words: “live – love – laugh”, meaning living with passion, loving with all her heart, and always smiling at everything.

Our meeting took place in a rather romantic setting, with soft piano notes drifting through the glimmer of candlelight. In that space, Le Thu appeared as delicate as an iris, radiating three special inspirations—Live, Love, and Laugh—that define her life quite profoundly. These are the three elements that shape every moment of her existence, accumulating like the silt of time, ensuring that this iris always exudes an intense allure and a beauty that cannot be mistaken for any other.

LIVE – LIVING THE DREAM LIFE

Instinct is the first keyword that defines her lifestyle. It is not about an overt display of ego to the world, but first and foremost about feeling happier as a new day begins. That sense of happiness is fully nurtured as dawn knocks on the door of each new day, and as the moments pass, this woman moves according to her own passions, pursuing and conquering the things she desires. For many Asian women, "doing what you love in the way you love" is a vague concept. But for Le Thu, her strong personality has the power to change existing routines, starting with herself. And from there, the "dream life" she aspires to began to take shape—not something grand or complex, but simply viewing life as it is: living true to oneself has always been the simplest way to live.

Le Thu is as open-minded as her personality suggests, expressing a unique, unmistakable quality that transcends the barriers of others' perceptions and judgments, as well as the barriers entrenched deep within herself. One could say this is the differentiator that creates an image of "feminism" as she is consciously aware of her self-worth to strongly develop an independent personality. Breaking free from the rules imposed on her life has created the free-spirited life Le Thu enjoys today.

Having gone through many ups and downs in life, for her, living truthfully to herself and being sincere with everything around her is the key that has allowed Le Thu to pass through all the doors hidden with fears, gradually discovering an interesting life through her passions. From the French sounds she studies a little each day, to enjoying life through challenging experiences like scuba diving or mountain climbing, to elegant pastimes like dancing or yoga poses, all have become an essential part of the life of this woman with a strong character. That life brings her the freedom of movement and the ability to regenerate energy for herself.

Le Thu's principle of sincerity is also applied to all her own emotions. She loves and hates clearly, yet there remains a compassionate way of treating others in a woman who has reached a state of maturity in both appearance and soul. These might seem like aspects of a contradictory personality, but they are not; they all blend together to create a dynamic, rich life for a Le Thu who is very much a "woman."

LOVE – GIVING LOVE

If we live our passions fully but lack love, our life will always have a large missing piece. Le Thu is different; she already possesses that missing piece, naturally and intensely. She is a woman who dares to live for the moments of confusion when love first touches the door, but who is also passionate and wild enough when love suddenly rushes in. For her, love is the source of life, an endless inspiration that she wants to transmit; she wants to burn herself to warm those who have received and are receiving it. On the journeys of life she has traveled, whether happy or sad, with Le Thu, love has always been given in the most complete way.

Using "zest for life" as a catalyst to make "love for others" more intense, Le Thu has loved and been loved in that way. In the world of emotions, she is a multi-faceted Le Thu, enough to charm and captivate her man, but to preserve and develop a long-term relationship, "love" alone is not enough. Because holding onto a polite, warm French man like her current partner and reaching the "happy ending" that many crave is a series of major challenges for both. For her, respect is a principle and a discipline that builds love through the years, because she understands that affection is voluntary, and one should cherish the moments the other person cares for, looks after, and spends time cultivating the relationship. This philosophy for lasting love may seem simple, but few can truly practice it so that 'respect' can reach the destination of 'trust.' Yet, no matter which rational stages she goes through on her love journey, Le Thu always opens her soul to embrace the colorful realms of emotion, being honest with her feelings, cherishing the fruits of love, and finding ways to share those emotions with her life partner.

Her marriage is a place where two life partners can share most of their sightseeing experiences, meals, and more, becoming all the more bonded as a result. Only when with her man can Le Thu truly be herself, live intensely, love passionately, and explore life together. Her husband has a simple outlook on life but knows how to enjoy it, and perhaps this is what creates the harmony of souls in their love and marriage. Sharing the same "frequency" regarding their tastes has allowed two people who were once strangers to quickly find empathy, a sense of familiarity, and the realization that they cannot live without each other. The experience of enjoying life together continues to grow, becoming the glue containing the sincere nourishment that builds their love.

LAUGH – PEACEFUL SMILE

Le Thu's life is never without a smile. Not necessarily the smile of complete fulfillment, but the smile that dissolves unnecessary limitations, thereby bringing positive energy to her daily life. It also makes her life richer and more peaceful when she incorporates the word 'Laugh' into her 'Live' and 'Love.' She believes that if no one smiles at you, you should smile at yourself to see that every day passed is meaningful. And to have the most peaceful smile, she is always aware of her self-worth while cherishing the luck that comes from everything around her—work, love, family—to find peace within her soul. For her, one might lose out in one thing, but in return, other things will bring peace, tranquility, and much better outcomes.

A motto that has accompanied her throughout many years of her life is to always be absolutely sincere in all life relationships. A Le Thu full of love in caring for her loved ones without expecting anything in return. A Le Thu who is sincere with friends. A Le Thu who is honest with herself and always keeps an open mind to everything. She believes that when you have given your all and have nothing left to regret, that is when you can smile the most peacefully.

In her view, happy smiles are also created from the trust and love we have for each other. Like the way she loves her husband's stepchildren, which does not just stop at the tolerance of a woman, but stems from the trust he places in her to teach and guide the children.

She is a modern woman in her way of exploring and deeply loving her life partner, but at the same time, she is a woman who values traditional values. Those values are the roots from which Le Thu always gathers the most essential qualities to bring into her life, making her, even as a free-spirited woman "like the Westerners," still deeply profound and attentive to everything expected of a true "Vietnamese woman."

A refreshing smile of inner freedom, a smile of relief from a life of sincerity, a clear smile of a simple lifestyle, a refined smile of someone who knows how to behave... Those smiles have contributed to truthfully and completely painting the portrait of Le Thu—the woman with a special energy that has overcome and resolved her life. The woman who dared to burn with all her might, to spread warmth to everything around her.

Quick Questions – Quick Answers

Choose 3 words to describe yourself?

Emotional, expressive, open-minded.

A dish you must taste when you see it?

Dishes from my hometown, Vinh, always carry a special flavor I never forget, such as eel porridge, fried egg sticky rice, and steamed rice rolls.

Beauty products that are always in your bag?

Perfume, powder, lipstick, and blush are indispensable.

Exclusive article by Women Business Magazine, issue 112, May 2018 https://nudoanhnhan.net/song-yeu-va-mim-cuoi-nhu-le-thu.html

Creative: Nguyen Hong Hanh

Photographer: Anh Huy Pham

Make-up: Do Phuoc Loi

Outfits: Vo Cong Khanh, Lam Gia Khang

Location: Paris