The leading ladies

If the former Bac Lieu province had the talented artists Thu Tam and Hoai Thuong, and the dancer My Hang, then the former Ca Mau province had the talented artists Tram Anh and Ngoc Nhin. Today's Ca Mau, vast and vibrant, boasts five such talented artists sharing the same sky, always eager to contribute to preserving and spreading the beautiful traditional artistic values ​​of their homeland.

• Ca Mau province is upgrading the traditional folk music memorial area, with completion expected in 2025.
• Keeping the Southern Vietnamese folk music tradition alive.
• Preserving the art of Southern Vietnamese folk music and singing.

Singer Thu Tam: A voice carrying the soul of the homeland.

Coming from a family deeply involved in cải lương (Vietnamese traditional opera), with her grandparents and parents all having a profound connection to the cải lương stage, Thu Tâm was exposed to pentatonic scales from a young age, captivated by the colorful lights, and eventually dedicated herself to a career in singing and playing the zither.

Actor Thu Tam.

Possessing a melodious voice, a steady rhythm, and an elegant face, actress Thu Tâm had many advantages when playing leading female roles at the Song Hau Cai Luong Troupe and the Kien Giang People's Cai Luong Troupe. After a long period pursuing her passion, she stepped back to fulfill her duties to her small family. After many years away from the profession, filled with longing, one day she received an invitation from author Vuu Long Vi (former Director of the Bac Lieu Provincial Cultural Center), and she returned to the arts at the Provincial Cultural Center with a more gentle and profound spirit.

Listening to Thu Tam's performances of traditional Vietnamese folk music, her recitation of poetry, and even her way of conveying her art to future generations, her voice is full of narrative, encompassing the ups and downs of life. For her, art is always a sacred sanctuary, where every step, every public appearance must be meticulous and unbiased. With her wealth of experience and talent, proven by her impressive achievements, she participates in training courses, teaches, and inspires the traditional folk music clubs in various localities throughout the province.

Actor Hoai Thuong: A lingering love for the pentatonic scale.

Hoài Thương is the name of a character in the cải lương (Vietnamese traditional opera) play "Before Dawn," chosen by Meritorious Artist Khưu Minh Chiến (former Head of the Cao Văn Lầu cải lương troupe) for his daughter as a beautiful memento of his connection to the art.

Actor Hoai Thuong.

Although her father didn't support her pursuing a career from a young age, fearing his daughter would face hardship, she couldn't shake off the ancestral calling. She taught herself to sing and act. Hoài Thương's artistic journey is a cycle: from amateur to professional, and then back to amateur. Facing the immense shadow of her father, she always consciously strived to improve herself, determined to hone her skills by diligently learning from her predecessors. She focused on refining her naturally powerful voice, mastering every nuance of vocal technique and enunciation, and delving deeply into the inner emotions of her characters. Therefore, when people mention Hoài Thương, they think of a prominent figure in the local arts scene, with a wide range of talents – from cải lương (traditional Vietnamese opera) and amateur to traveling propaganda plays – she excels in every genre.

Besides participating in traditional Vietnamese folk music competitions and festivals, Hoài Thương also competed in competitions such as: "Road to Famous Cai Luong Singers," "Golden Rice Ear," and the National Cai Luong Festival, achieving high results. For her, art is her breath, the lifeblood of her soul, and she has never thought of leaving it.

Dancer My Hang: Art must be sincere.

Numerous artists and performers from many generations, who have had the opportunity to collaborate and work with My Hang, all agree that she is highly skilled and professional.

American dancer My Hang.

The term "skilled in the profession" is defined differently. Originally a dancer, since 2017, when she was assigned the position of Deputy Head of the Professional Affairs Department at the Bac Lieu Provincial Cultural Center, she has diligently researched and studied in depth the field of folk art, especially Cai Luong (traditional Vietnamese opera), to provide guidance, participate in editing and organizing programs, and find new directions for Cai Luong clubs at the grassroots level. Whenever there are Cai Luong festivals, competitions, performances, or exchanges... behind the high achievements and public praise, there is always her meticulous care, from selecting participating personnel to editing the program. She also actively visits the grassroots level, listening to the changes in the activities of the folk art movement to find new directions and support the clubs to operate effectively. For many years, her bicycle has traveled to various localities, gathering experienced artisans and performers in the field of traditional Vietnamese music from within and outside the province to conduct training courses on traditional Vietnamese music; discovering and nurturing young talents, creating a successor generation.

Actress My Hang always emphasizes the word "authentic": real people, real events. Her plans and directions are always grounded in reality and tailored to the specific characteristics of each locality. This artistic bird continues to soar through beautiful skies with dedication and a burning desire to contribute.

Actress Tram Anh: Ca Mau encapsulates all the affection.

Tram Anh is originally from Saigon, but her passion for music and singing led her to Ca Mau, where for the past few decades, this place has naturally become her second home.

Actress Tram Anh.

Her artistic journey began with young theater troupes in Soc Trang, playing supporting and minor roles, before joining the An Giang Quoc Huong Cai Luong Troupe; after that, she diligently worked in grassroots arts at the Thoi Binh District (formerly) Culture Department and the Ngoc Hien District (formerly) Culture, Sports and Communication Center.

The name Tram Anh has a firm place in the Ca Mau traditional music scene, recognized by professionals since the 1990s. As a traditional singer and member of the Ca Mau Provincial Traditional Music Experimental Club, she brought home many medals for the province at regional and national traditional music festivals. Her wealth of experience, accumulated from learning from predecessors and honed through practice, has resulted in Tram Anh possessing a bright voice, a steady rhythm, and the ability to perform most traditional pieces well. She is particularly highly regarded by professionals for her innovative and rare rendition of the Lien Nam style.

Despite being retired, she remains enthusiastic in her role as the head of the Phan Ngoc Hien Commune Traditional Music Club, diligently keeping the traditional music movement alive; connecting clubs throughout the province for exchange, creating opportunities for members to participate in activities, and maintaining a bond of mutual understanding.

Actor Ngoc Nhin: A bee silently contributing honey.

Ngoc Nhin stepped onto the stage, her hair loosely flowing, her elegant ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) graceful; viewed from a side angle, capturing the moment of her gentle eyes and softly uttering the song "Huong Tram" by composer Vu Hoang, and then savoring each melody, one could truly appreciate the essence of U Minh, evident in every detail and its inherent simplicity. Closing my eyes and enjoying it, I suddenly thought: That's right, only someone born and raised in this land of U Minh could fully convey each line and idea in such a simple and endearing way.

Actor Ngoc Nhin.

Ngoc Nhin is a typical example of an artist who gradually rose through the ranks of the local folk music movement. After a long period of setting aside her passion to fully fulfill her roles as a wife and mother in her small family, and after winning the 2019 "Amateur Farmers' Competition," upon her return to the stage, she had gradually passed her youthful years.

Ngoc Nhin's voice is strong, soaring, and captivating the more you listen. Within that strength lies a gentle, delicate quality, reminiscent of the subtle fragrance of melaleuca. This strength is deeply embedded within this woman of great willpower, generosity, and gentleness from the U Minh region. After a long hiatus, upon her return to the stage, she was passionate and immersed in the world of art, quickly winning the hearts of the audience. For the past five years or so, the title "Talented Singer" has been a beautiful recognition for Ngoc Nhin.

Minh Hoang Phuc

Source: https://baocamau.vn/nhung-bong-hong-tai-tu-a127519.html