Artist Diem Huong: A new breeze on Dong Nai's traditional stage

Artist Diem Huong (standing 2nd from left) in the play Hao khi Hoan Chau. Photo: L.Na

Once a garment worker at Amata Industrial Park, Bien Hoa City, Diem Huong quietly studied traditional music (ĐCTT) and then became involved in professional cải lương. Her journey is not only a story of passion, but also a testament to the strong vitality of traditional culture in modern life.

From "factory" to music class

Born in Tien Giang, Diem Huong used to live like any other worker: going to work during the day and gathering with family and friends at night. However, few people know that this petite worker has a special love for traditional arts. Every evening, after work, she takes the time to go to the Dong Nai Province Traditional Music Club (ĐCTT) headed by folk artist Pham Lo to learn to sing. There is no grand stage, only rustic folk songs and reformed opera resounding from a heart that loves art.

It was from that class that the young artist Diem Huong's journey to pursue art was ignited. Without attending formal school, with little professional background, she worked, went to school after work, and participated in exchange programs organized by the Club. With her sweet voice, the folk and reformed opera songs she performed soon touched the emotions of the listeners.

“There are days when I finish working overtime and then I rush to learn the traditional folk songs and reformed opera. Just singing a verse of vọng cổ makes all my fatigue disappear. That is also the motivation for me to participate in exchange programs, performing traditional folk songs and reformed opera, serving industrial park workers and local people,” artist Diem Huong shared.

Under the dedicated guidance of artist Pham Lo, artist Diem Huong progressed rapidly. From a worker who could sing a few tunes, she became a familiar face in competitions, art festivals, and ĐCTT performances in and outside the province. Not only did she sing well, she also learned acting, practiced her performance style, and gradually advanced further on her artistic path.

Artist Huynh Thi Diem Huong was born in 1992, from Tien Giang province. She currently works at Dong Nai Art Theater, actively participating in performing reformed opera and traditional singing programs, serving community culture, especially in industrial parks and remote areas.

Step onto the professional stage

In 2024, Diem Huong joined Dong Nai Art Theater. This was a big turning point in the career of someone who used to only consider singing as a passion after work. From here, she was given the opportunity to step onto the big stage, participate in many art programs, perform traditional singing and begin to try her hand at big roles in plays and excerpts of reformed opera.

The first role that artist Diem Huong received was Ut Tam in the excerpt Ong Sau Rung Sac. After that, she continued to participate in the Cai Luong play Comrade, playing the role of a young woman, actively participating in forest planting activities, greening barren hills, contributing to protecting the living environment of the community. Or in the play Hao Khi Hoan Chau, she and the role of Queen Pham Thi Uyen went to battle, fighting against the invaders... Every time she appeared, she left an impression on the audience with her youthfulness, dynamism, fully transforming into each character, each role.

Besides acting, artist Diem Huong constantly practices traditional singing - one of her strengths. With a sweet, warm, and resonant voice, she excellently performs famous traditional and vọng cổ songs, reviving the spirit of amateur and cải lương on the modern stage. In addition, she also actively participates in performing activities, bringing her songs and singing to serve the people at the grassroots level, workers in industrial parks, and ethnic minorities in the province.

Artist Diem Huong in the play Comrade.

“I was lucky to have artist Pham Lo guide me through my first steps, the Board of Directors of Dong Nai Art Theater, and my colleagues love me, trust me, create favorable conditions for me to participate in new roles and plays, as well as support and help me in acting. Every time I stand on stage, my heart beats a new beat, very nervous and emotional. I try to act well, as a way to show gratitude and respond to the feelings of those around me, the audience who follow me” - artist Diem Huong said.

Talking about Diem Huong, artist Pham Lo shared: “Diem Huong is one of the few students who has strived to pursue her passion, not only learning quickly, but also having a passion for the profession - something that not everyone has. From the early days of timidly learning to sing after overtime, to when she stepped onto the professional stage, she has never stopped trying. Each song, each role she performs contains real emotions, real emotions. I believe that with the professional environment she is living in, Diem Huong will go even further in her artistic path.”

Amidst the hustle and bustle of life, young artist Diem Huong still steadfastly pursues her dream, contributing to preserving and reviving traditional artistic values ​​that are gradually fading away. In her eyes, there is always a light of love for the profession - a silent light but warm enough to nurture the flame of traditional art to live forever in the heart of Dong Nai.

Ly Na

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/dong-nai-cuoi-tuan/202505/nghe-si-diem-huong-lan-gio-moi-tren-san-khau-truyen-thong-dong-nai-30f2df8/