Meritorious Artist Bao Quoc talks about health problems, thought he would no longer be on stage

At the Mai Vang 2025 Award kick-off exchange program, Meritorious Artist Bao Quoc recounted the memories of receiving the award three times. He also recalled the period when he suffered from a serious illness but still maintained his love for the profession, quietly dedicating himself to art.

Artist Bao Quoc received the Mai Vang award three times.

Photo: LX

On September 24, the art exchange program to launch the 31st Mai Vang Award - 2025 took place at the headquarters of Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper, Ho Chi Minh City. Attending the program were Meritorious Artist Bao Quoc, Meritorious Artist Ngoc Khanh, People's Artist Phuong Loan, musician Nguyen Van Sanh, actors Diep Bao Ngoc, Nhat Kim Anh, MTV group, DTAP...

Nearly 900 artists supported

In addition to sharing about the innovations in the organization, voting and art exchange activities of the Mai Vang 2025 Award, the organizing committee also celebrated the 5th anniversary of two programs accompanying the Mai Vang Award, namely Mai Vang Charity and Mai Vang Gratitude. Over the past 5 years, the organizing committee has supported and honored nearly 900 artists, intellectuals, veteran revolutionaries and excellent teachers nationwide.

Editor-in-Chief of the Lao Dong Newspaper To Dinh Tuan (right) presents flowers to opera artist Ngoc Khanh and musician Nguyen Van Sanh

Photo: LX

Meritorious Artist Ngoc Khanh (Ngoc Khanh Traditional Opera Troupe) is the recipient of a gift from the Mai Vang Charity Program, and musician Nguyen Van Sanh received a gift from Mai Vang Tri An. Artist Ngoc Khanh sent her thanks to the program for caring for her. Over the years, the female artist has also introduced many disadvantaged opera artists, who live in remote provinces but are still dedicated to their profession, to the program. Thanks to that, many artists have been helped and given confidence to continue pursuing their profession.

Meanwhile, Meritorious Artist Bao Quoc emotionally recounted that in 2020, when the Mai Vang Nhan Ai program was launched, he represented the sponsor to receive a VND1 billion plaque. "When I held that plaque, I was extremely moved. It was an honor for me to be able to help fellow artists who are still in difficulty," the male artist shared.

Meritorious Artist Bao Quoc and People's Artist Phuong Loan share memories of receiving the Mai Vang award

Artist Bao Quoc is one of the veteran faces who has been associated with the Mai Vang Award since the early days. Looking back on his artistic journey, he emotionally said that all three times he was honored at the Mai Vang Award were unforgettable milestones.

The male artist confided: "I was lucky to receive the Mai Vang award the first year (1995), and then in 1996. I thought that was enough, it was a great honor. Since then, I have quietly continued my artistic activities to support the children and grandchildren. Even though I am old, I still perform to respond to the love of the audience, the people who have raised me. I did not expect that in 2006, I would be nominated for the Mai Vang award for the third time. Actually, at that time, I was already old, and I was very happy to hear that I had won the Mai Vang award. Because I was old, participating in the arts was only to fulfill my responsibility to the profession and the audience who loved me. At that time, I told the organizing committee that Bao Quoc was old, so I would like to save the award for my brothers and young artists so that they can strive and have the motivation to develop...

Then I got seriously ill, very ill, and thought I would never be able to stand on stage again. It's been more than ten years. But I still love the profession and stick with it, because this profession has been passed down from my parents until now. I still try to keep it, even if I only perform occasionally. Even so, I still follow and accompany the Mai Vang Awards."

People's Artist Phuong Loan, Meritorious Artist Bao Quoc and singer Nhat Kim Anh interact at the program

Photo: LX

As for People's Artist Phuong Loan, she said she received the Mai Vang statue in 2006, thanks to her role as teacher Dung in the play Tears of Love. The female cai luong artist said that when the organizers received the award, she could not believe it and was extremely moved.

Actress Nhat Kim Anh also shared a memory of being very surprised when she was invited to sing at the award ceremony and was announced as the winner for her role as Ha Linh in the film Gieo Gio. At the program, she also donated 50 million VND to Mai Vang Charity to support and show gratitude to artists.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nsut-bao-quoc-nhac-ve-bien-co-suc-khoe-tuong-khong-con-dung-tren-san-khau-185250924152447162.htm