Artists Tu Trinh, Kieu Phuong Loan, and Hoang Hiep visit veteran artists at Thi Nghe

From left to right: Artist Huynh Thanh Tra, Kieu Phuong Loan, Tu Trinh, Hoang Hiep

On the morning of March 15th, artists Tú Trinh, Kiều Phượng Loan, and Hoàng Hiệp visited the Thị Nghè Nursing Home to see the following artists: Meritorious Artist Diệu Hiền, artists Huỳnh Thanh Trà, Ngọc Đáng, Mạc Can, Lam Sơn, Đặng Thị Xuân, and Ngọc Bê. They brought meaningful gifts and shared joyful stories with the elderly artists, filling a corner of the Thị Nghè Nursing Home with laughter.

Composer Hoang Hiep visits artist Lam Son at Thi Nghe Nursing Home.

Artist Hoang Hiep is an actor, director, and playwright whose plays have been staged in various theaters. He returned from the United States to visit his homeland after a five-year absence.

"I had the opportunity to visit them as a way to regain positive energy for myself. They shared many stories from their performing days, each of them still maintaining their passion for stage and film. I was incredibly moved to see Mr. Mac Can still so charming, telling such funny stories. Ms. Dieu Hien and Ms. Ngoc Dang still sing so well, and I hope to have the chance to return to the stage and stand under the spotlights again. It was a truly meaningful trip for me," – Artist Hoang Hiep shared.

Artist Hoang Hiep visits artist Ngoc Dang at Thi Nghe Nursing Home.

Artists Kieu Phuong Loan and Tu Trinh spent a lot of time chatting with their senior colleague, because artist Huynh Thanh Tra was originally an actor who studied at the Saigon National School of Music and Drama – now the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music, a class ahead of Tu Trinh and Kieu Phuong Loan.

Artist Huynh Thanh Tra was moved: "We hadn't seen each other for a long time, so we had many things to talk about and ask about our colleagues who once dominated the stages. Some have passed away, some are seriously ill, and the fact that we can still meet again is such a blessing," the famous actor from the film "Loan Mat Nhung" confided.

Actress Kiều Phượng Loan visits Meritorious Artist Diệu Hiền at Thị Nghè Nursing Home.

When artist Kieu Phuong Loan asked if he would accept an offer to perform again or act in a film, artist Huynh Thanh Tra smiled brightly and said, "It's very difficult, because my health doesn't allow it. Just changing costumes for filming or acting is torture, because my legs are weak. So even if I receive an offer, I'm very hesitant, because I would be a burden to the film crew; they would have to take care of me, which is very difficult." – artist Huynh Thanh Tra shared.

Artist Hoang Hiep visits artist Mac Can at Thi Nghe Nursing Home.

When visiting Meritorious Artist Dieu Hien, artist Kieu Phuong Loan was deeply moved, because the "General Nhuy Kieu" of yesteryear still sings beautifully, her voice still soaring. "The only thing is her legs are weak. Every morning, artist Dieu Thanh – her daughter – pushes her wheelchair for a walk around the Thi Nghe Nursing Home, then she returns to her room to watch television. I remember the time when Dieu Hien and I performed and filmed Cai Luong (Vietnamese traditional opera) videos ; so many beautiful memories of an artist's life," said artist Kieu Phuong Loan.

Artist Huynh Thanh Tra and Artist Hoang Hiep

Artist Tú Trinh happily stated that since the 7 veteran artists returned to Thị Nghè, many associations, charitable organizations, and students from various schools have visited them. This has brought joy and motivation to overcome the sorrows of an artist's twilight years.

Artist Hoang Hiep lit an incense stick before the altar of the patron saint of Vietnamese theater and the portrait of the late People's Artist Phung Ha. He said that whenever he visits his hometown, or when colleagues from other countries come back, he will introduce them to visit the veteran artists. "There is no greater joy than when the younger generation of artists is always grateful to those who came before. The older generation has paved the way for the younger generation to follow that illuminated path, building a solid foundation for the theater," Hoang Hiep said with emotion.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/ns-tu-trinh-kieu-phuong-loan-hoang-hiep-tham-nghe-si-lao-thanh-tai-thi-nghe-196240315164755665.htm