Previously, in 2024, Hoang Nghi won the "Golden Bell of Cai Luong" competition, marking a significant milestone that brought him closer to a professional stage career. Trusted and given the opportunity to work at the Vam Co Cai Luong Art Troupe ( Tay Ninh ) by People's Artist Ho Ngoc Trinh, Hoang Nghi considers this a valuable career opportunity. More than just a job, this environment allows him to directly access the life experiences of the stage and the expertise of previous generations of artists. This has helped him realize that his initial successes are a motivation to continue pursuing his passion, preventing him from becoming complacent or satisfied too soon.

After a year and a half performing on provincial stages, Hoang Nghi gradually adapted to the demanding pace of life: late-night rehearsals, constantly changing schedules, hurried meals backstage, and long tours throughout the Southwestern region of Vietnam. For him, it was a joy. The important thing was to maintain his health, hone his singing skills, and dedicate most of his time to his craft, so that each stage performance would be complete and polished for the audience.

Actress Le Hoang Nghi (third from the right) won first prize at the National Cai Luong Actor Talent Competition - 2026.

Driven by that professional mindset, at the age of 21, Hoang Nghi was fortunate and honored to be entrusted with challenging roles portraying complex historical and psychological figures, requiring a combination of singing and acting techniques, and especially the ability to deeply understand the historical spirit and national pride in each scene.

Hoang Nghi shared: “Each time I embody historical figures, I have the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of our ancestors' tradition of nation-building and defense. And once I've touched upon that depth, the artist cannot perform superficially. There must be responsibility for every line, every movement, every emotion. I always remind myself to seriously research, work hard, and create to the best of my ability to bring the best to the audience, especially young audiences, who need proper aesthetic guidance and should avoid commercialization trends that distort the standards of the artistic environment.”

In the broader context of cải lương (Vietnamese traditional opera) today, the concerns Hoàng Nghi addresses are not isolated cases. Traditional theater is facing numerous challenges simultaneously: the loyal audience is growing older, while the younger generation is strongly attracted to modern forms of entertainment and digital platforms. Many theater troupes are operating at a reduced capacity, lacking stable performances, disrupting the rhythm of professional development. The pressure of making a living forces many artists to take on other jobs to maintain their passion for the stage. On a deeper level, cải lương also faces a shortage of creative resources due to a lack of new scripts, authors, directors, and musicians to continue the family tradition.

In this context, Hoang Nghi did not choose a pessimistic attitude. He recognized this as a common pressure in traditional theater, but also a test for each artist. “Everyone likes the spotlight, but going the distance in this profession is not easy. I am fortunate not to be alone on this journey; I always have my family, teachers, and colleagues by my side. Each role is a time to face pressure and make sacrifices. But I believe that if I work seriously every day, maintain a pure heart, stick to my profession, and pursue my passion to the very end, a bright future will open,” Hoang Nghi confided.

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/van-hoa/doi-song/di-den-tan-cung-canh-cua-se-mo-ra-1042336