Artist Kim Tu Long portrays the character Ngo Quyen, while his wife, Trinh Trinh, plays Trieu Thi Trinh - Photo: Provided by the artist.
In this musical performance, Kim Tu Long transforms into a historical figure alongside artists from the Minh To Cai Luong Troupe.
Kim Tu Long reunites with the character Ngo Quyen.
The essence of this heritage is composed and written by musician Minh Tâm. Minh Tâm is the younger brother of People's Artist Thanh Tòng and the uncle of Kim Tử Long's wife.
Directed by Kim Tu Long himself, this performance was the only Cai Luong (Vietnamese traditional opera) act of the night, aiming to give international friends a glimpse into Cai Luong and prominent figures in Vietnamese history.
Kim Tu Long portrays the character Ngo Quyen. This is a character he previously embodied in the performance "Waves Rising on Bach Dang River" at the "My Beloved Paradise" live show in 2011 at the Ben Thanh Theater.
In this short performance, Kim Tu Long sings with artists from his wife's family, the famous Minh To Cai Luong (Vietnamese traditional opera) troupe, and his close artists and students.
Kim Tu Long's wife, artist Trinh Trinh, played the role of Trieu Thi Trinh. Tu Suong portrayed the character of Empress Dowager Duong Van Nga, reenacting the scene of handing over the imperial robe to the Ten-Commander General Le Hoan.
Kim Tu Long's two sisters-in-law, Dien Trung and Le Thanh Thao, evoke the image of Nguyen Trai and Bui Thi Xuan.
The couple, Minh Trường and Nhã Thy, who won the Golden Bell Award for traditional Vietnamese opera, played the roles of Trần Hưng Đạo and Trưng Trắc.
The "Essence of Heritage" performance at the opening night of the 19th Ho Chi Minh City International Tourism Fair - Photo: Organizing Committee
Three actresses from the 5th generation of the Minh To Cai Luong Troupe during a performance, from left to right: Trinh Trinh, Tu Suong, and Le Thanh Thao - Photo: Provided by the troupe.
In particular, young actor Trong Nhan, who calls Kim Tu Long his adoptive grandfather, continues to be given opportunities by Kim Tu Long to portray the historical figure Nguyen Hue.
At the April 30th celebration, Trong Nhan was also given the opportunity by his maternal grandfather, Kim Tu Long, to appear in a segment of the Cai Luong (Vietnamese traditional opera) play "Ly Thuong Kiet" .
Kim Tu Long praised Trong Nhan as a talented, quick-witted, and hardworking young artist, and therefore, he offered to mentor him whenever possible to help Trong Nhan improve quickly.
The performance also featured artists such as Le Hau, Hong Nhi, Khanh Tam, Dong Tuong, and others.
Trong Nhan (right, playing Nguyen Hue) and Trinh Trinh playing Trieu Thi Trinh - Photo: Provided by the interviewee
Kim Tu Long wants to create a Vietnamese historical cải lương (traditional Vietnamese opera) production.
Besides portraying historical figures of Vietnam on stage, Kim Tu Long is also the producer and director of many historical Vietnamese Cai Luong plays such as "The Sword and the Female General," "The Jewel of Con Son," "The Drum of Me Linh," "The Heroes of Lam Son, " etc.
Speaking to Tuoi Tre Online , Kim Tu Long said he really enjoys performing Vietnamese historical cải lương (traditional opera) because our nation has many wonderful historical stories, with many famous generals and historical figures renowned not only domestically but also internationally .
People often assume historical plays are dry and difficult to sell tickets for, but Kim Tu Long is confident he can create a play that balances historical elements and knows how to adjust the pace to make it engaging. He said: "I've had many opportunities to interact with the market, so I think I understand audience preferences. That's what helps me stage historical plays in a way that's easily accessible to the public, especially young people."
Artist couple Minh Trường and Nhã Thy in the performance scene "The Quintessence of Heritage" - Photo: Provided by the artist
What worries him is the scarcity of good historical Vietnamese cải lương (traditional opera) scripts. He confided that if he finds a good, suitable script, he is willing to invest in staging a historical cải lương performance.
Kim Tu Long still cherishes the idea of holding a solo live show for his wife, artist Trinh Trinh. For him, his wife is a talented artist, but because she chooses a rather quiet lifestyle, her name remains relatively unknown.
If Kim Tu Long were to put on a live show for his wife, he would want to include many excerpts from Vietnamese historical Cai Luong plays because the Minh To family possesses many excellent Vietnamese historical Cai Luong scripts.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/kim-tu-long-dua-cac-nhan-vat-su-viet-len-san-khau-du-lich-20250904072753943.htm
![[Photo] General Secretary and President To Lam presides over a meeting on preparations for the review of one year of operation of the three-tiered government system.](https://vphoto.vietnam.vn/thumb/1200x675/vietnam/resource/IMAGE/2026/06/02/1780391821195_a1-bnd-4595-9717-jpg.webp)
Comment (0)