Journeys without end

The curtain rose, and a round of applause erupted. Under the spotlights, Captain Nguyen Thi My Linh, an actress from the Army Drama Theatre's Drama Troupe 1, powerfully embodied the character of Dr. Huyen in the play " Dien Bien Phu Calls." Her petite figure, bright eyes, and warm voice moved the audience to tears as she portrayed a female doctor who, undeterred by danger, sought every possible way to treat wounded soldiers amidst enemy bombs and bullets. Few knew that behind this flawless performance lay a long journey of arduous training and a deep love for a form of art that appeals to a select audience: drama.

On behalf of the leadership of the General Political Department of the Vietnam People's Army, Major General Tran Ngoc Anh, Director of the Political Department (General Political Department), presented a Certificate of Commendation from the General Political Department to Captain Nguyen Thi My Linh on the occasion of the Party Congress of the Army Drama Theatre for the 2025-2030 term. Photo: Provided by the Theatre.

We had the opportunity to meet My Linh right after the success of the performance. She possesses a gentle, captivating beauty, with a lovely face and expressive eyes. At times, she radiates the sharpness of her character on stage, and at other times, she is full of love. A smile is always on her lips, radiating positive and approachable energy. It is this very aura that has made her a standout star on the Army's spoken drama stage in recent years.

Captain Nguyen Thi My Linh, a non-commissioned officer, during a charity trip to Phong Tho, Lai Chau in 2024 with the Army Drama Theatre.

My Linh shared that in 2024, she and her colleagues performed 80 shows, a number not easily achieved by any artist, especially a military artist. In the first six months of 2025 alone, My Linh will participate in another 60 shows across the three regions of Vietnam: North, Central, and South. Calling these "journeys without end" wouldn't be an exaggeration. There were days when she finished a performance at 10 PM in Nghe An, only to have to be in Ha Tinh the next morning for another show. Journey after journey, role after role, but each time she stands before the audience, she maintains a fresh and vibrant spirit.

Actress My Linh with kindergarten students at Pa Vay Su school, Phong Tho, Lai Chau.

"Performing so much is exhausting! There were nights I was so exhausted I didn't even have time to remove my makeup, and I fell asleep on the backstage chair. But then the next morning when I woke up, I felt relieved, something had given me renewed energy. Perhaps it's because I get to live in the emotions of the audience, in the beautiful stories that theater brings," My Linh recounted, her voice softening.

For My Linh, such trips are not simply a duty, but have become a rhythm of life. One night in Truong Sa, she performed the short play "Bright Eyes" amidst the gentle sound of waves, with the sailors nodding along to each line. Another night, in the highlands of Lao Cai, after watching "The Last Lie," the ethnic minority people stayed until the very end, then quietly shook her hand, nodded, and some even slipped her a handkerchief as a gift.

"At times like these, I no longer feel tired. I just feel lucky to still be able to perform, to still hear genuine applause, and to still be able to travel to bring art closer to life," My Linh confided.

Retain the audience with genuine emotions.

In the era of booming entertainment technology, where social media and short-video platforms dominate the market, theatrical performances, especially political drama and traditional plays, are increasingly struggling to retain audiences. There are performances at theaters that, despite significant investment in content and artistry, still suffer from a lack of audience.

Nguyen Thi My Linh understands this reality. But she has never considered changing direction. “If I don’t see it through, if I don’t pour my heart and soul into the profession, who will? Theater will fade into oblivion without artists who dare to dedicate themselves,” she shared. For My Linh, each role is an opportunity to tell a decent story that touches people’s hearts. Instead of chasing easygoing tastes, she chooses a difficult but meaningful path: focusing on artistic quality and the ability to empathize with the audience. That is the “light” of true art that needs to be preserved, though quiet, it never goes out.

Captain Nguyen Thi My Linh, a military officer, during a tour and gift-giving event for students in the mountainous region of Lai Chau, organized by the Army Drama Theatre, October 2024.

Starting with supporting roles when she joined the theater in 2015, such as Lam in "Time Does Not Remain Silent," and a young volunteer in "The Cloud-like Hair of Len Ha," she quickly made an impression and established her own mark. In 2016, she was given the lead role of singer Huong Ly in the play "The People of Hanoi" - an outstanding performance that won her a Gold Medal at the 2nd Hanoi Theater Festival in 2016.

Subsequently, each year, she took on one or two leading/supporting roles in the theater's productions, leading to a turning point in 2024, marking a shift in her inner depth and affirming her acting prowess with the role of Nguyen Thi Xuan in the play "The Virgin Moon." My Linh won the Gold Medal at the 2024 National Drama Festival – a prestigious medal and an opportunity to establish her career that not every actor is fortunate enough to have. Prior to that, she and her team won the Silver Medal at the 5th International Experimental Theater Festival with the play "The Beauty Queen Teaches Her Husband."

The auditoriums don't need velvet-covered seats.

Not every stage has dazzling lights, an audience seated in luxurious velvet chairs, and fragrant flowers. For My Linh and the actors of the Army Drama Theatre, many performances are simply on a concrete courtyard covered with tarpaulin, or in a small auditorium in a military barracks. Some places have weak electricity, rudimentary equipment, and even lack the necessary microphones for singing. But strangely enough, it is these very stages that move her the most.

She recounted a performance on Co To island. It suddenly started raining, and the stage roof leaked. But the audience didn't leave. The soldiers used their raincoats to shield the performers. My Linh's voice choked as she recalled: "We performed in the rain, without anyone saying a word, we just kept going. After the final act, the applause echoed through the rain, and I cried. Not because I was tired, but because I was deeply moved."

My Linh calls them "audiences that don't need velvet-covered seats," where the connection between performers and audience is so close that flowery words are unnecessary. That empathy is the greatest reward for an artist.

On each trip to remote areas, Captain Nguyen Thi My Linh (on the left) and her colleagues at the theater always prepare many gifts for the students.

In an era where theater audiences are shrinking, especially among young people, My Linh understands that the path she has chosen is not easy. But it is precisely because of this that she is even more determined to stay, even more eager to do something for the stage—an art form that requires perseverance and integrity.

My Linh confided: “Not everyone likes theater. There are performances where the audience is sparse. But I still perform as if the auditorium were full, because I believe that if just one person is moved, then that role has value.” There was a time when she wondered: “Am I being too idealistic by maintaining a love for the stage in this market economy era?” But then, a disabled boy held her hand after a performance and said: “You performed as if you were telling my story,” which made her silent for a long time. And then, she moved on.

Actress My Linh and the actors of the Army Drama Theatre, in addition to their work trips to perform for soldiers and people throughout the country, especially in remote areas, border regions, islands, and distant villages where ethnic minorities rarely have the opportunity to enjoy art due to the infrequent visits of performing arts groups, also diligently bring theatre closer to the public by participating in many community programs such as live theatrical performances: "Returning to the Old Ferry Terminal," "Let's Preserve the Green," communication campaigns on preventing and combating domestic violence, protecting children, and programs commemorating major national holidays broadcast live on Vietnam Television and Vietnam National Defense Television...

"I believe that art is not just for entertainment, but also for healing and uplifting people," My Linh affirmed.

Artist-Soldier: Two roles blended into one.

For over ten years working at the Army Drama Theatre, as an artist, she has embodied dozens of main and supporting characters on stage. As a military officer, she has fully completed her political duties, training, shooting practice, and drills. Captain Nguyen Thi My Linh has always performed every role perfectly. In her role as Secretary of the Youth Union of the Army Drama Theatre, My Linh and her colleagues have successfully organized many volunteer activities, connecting young artists with the community and igniting youthful enthusiasm in each artistic program. Activities such as: "Spring of Unity - Tet of Warmth between Soldiers and Civilians," "Godmother," "Voluntary Blood Donation"... all bear the mark of My Linh and the Youth Union team.

For My Linh, being an artist-soldier isn't about shouldering two burdens, but about "living a life of responsibility and full emotion." Every morning she's a serious soldier on the training ground, and every evening she's an artist giving her all under the stage lights.

With tireless efforts throughout her more than 10-year career, Captain Nguyen Thi My Linh has received many accolades: Gold Medal at the 2nd Hanoi Theatre Festival in 2016; Gold Medal at the National Drama Festival in 2024; Silver Medal at the 5th National Professional Theatre Arts Festival on the "Image of the People's Police Officer" in 2025...; Promising Young Face of the Entire Army; Outstanding Soldier at the grassroots level for many consecutive years... But for her, the greatest achievement is "still feeling my heart tremble every time I step onto the stage."

The youth of the Army Drama Theatre presented a "Great Solidarity House" to a poor family in Lai Chau province.

Colonel, Meritorious Artist Le Thi Mai Phuong, Director of the Army Drama Theatre, commented: “My Linh is a young artist who possesses both virtue and talent. My Linh is serious about her profession, sincere with the audience, and has a very special ability to spread her ideals. She is a role model for Army artists in the new era.”

Colonel Do Toan, Secretary of the Party Committee and Political Commissar of the Army Drama Theatre, assessed: "My Linh possesses the perseverance of a soldier and the depth of an artist. Linh is not afraid of hardship or challenges, but always finds motivation in each performance. That is something very valuable."

From supporting roles to complex leading roles, from rehearsals in the sweltering midday heat of summer to performances on foot in border guard posts and remote mountain villages, every step My Linh takes is a genuine glimpse into the life of an artist-soldier. She doesn't embellish her career with flowery words or ostentatious images, but quietly dedicates herself, like a smoldering fire that never goes out.

A line from a play My Linh once participated in said, "Don't let the flame in your heart die out just because people can't see its light." For her, that flame doesn't just shine brightly on stage, but also smolders throughout every journey, every performance, every time she holds the audience's hand... Like a silent promise to her profession, to people, and to herself.

Text and photos: NGUYEN HONG SANG

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/phong-su-dieu-tra/cuoc-thi-nhung-tam-guong-binh-di-ma-cao-quy-lan-thu-16/dai-uy-qncn-nguyen-thi-my-linh-giu-lua-san-khau-kich-noi-bang-trai-tim-nguoi-linh-838452