Meritorious Artist Bich Hiep has passed away.

(NLĐO) - Meritorious Artist Bich Hiep's dedication has left behind many outstanding works for the dance industry, and she has wholeheartedly guided and supported the younger generation.

Meritorious Artist Bich Hiep

Artist Le Nguyen Hieu, President of the Ho Chi Minh City Dance Artists Association, announced that Meritorious Artist Bich Hiep, whose real name was Bui Bich Hiep, passed away due to old age at 7:51 AM on December 15th, at the age of 87.

Meritorious Artist Bui Bich Hiep was born on May 5, 1938, in Ha Tay, Hanoi . She joined the Military Music Band under the Department of Military Training at the young age of 11, becoming the youngest performer in the band participating in campaigns such as Ha Nam Ninh and Cao Bac Lang, with her professional duties being playing the flute, dancing, and singing.

In 1953, she transferred to the 316th Division's performing arts troupe, and in 1956, she joined the General Political Department's song and dance troupe.

Meritorious Artist Bich Hiep

"She was also one of the people who made a great contribution to the robust development of the District 1 Cultural Center in Ho Chi Minh City from its early days as its Director. She organized and taught 32 basic dance classes, including folk and ballet, and established 17 clubs, teams, and groups such as: young singers, international dance, theater, photography, poetry, Cai Luong (Vietnamese traditional opera), aesthetics, and for the elderly... and the District 1 Cultural Center has become one of the cradles that strongly promotes the cultural and artistic career of District 1 in particular and Ho Chi Minh City in general. Her contributions are immense. She has left behind many valuable legacies for the dance industry," shared artist Le Nguyen Hieu.

Meritorious Artist Bich Hiep

Alongside her role as Head of the District 1 Cultural Center, Meritorious Artist Bui Bich Hiep was a member of the Executive Committee of the Ho Chi Minh City Dance Artists Association from its first term to the end of its second term. One of her notable choreographed dance performances is "Vietnam, My Homeland," performed in front of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum at the 1st National Dance Festival organized by the Vietnam Dance Artists Association.

In addition to her choreography duties, she was also assigned to manage the "Pink Night" dance floor, which is run by the Ho Chi Minh City Dance Artists Association.

Meritorious Artist Bich Hiep

As both a dancer and a soldier, Meritorious Artist Bui Bich Hiep traveled throughout the country, undeterred by hardship, wholeheartedly serving the soldiers. The State and the People's Army recognized her contributions to the revolutionary cause through prestigious awards: the First Class Order of Military Merit; the First Class Order of Resistance against America; three First, Second, and Third Class Orders of Glorious Soldier; and the First Class Victory Medal during the Anti-French Resistance period…

Throughout her artistic career, she was also awarded many prizes: the Medal for the Cause of Mass Culture, the Medal for the Cause of Vietnamese Dance Art, the Ho Chi Minh Prize for Literature and Art, the Third-Class Labor Medal, etc.

Generations of dancers who were her students were saddened to hear of her passing. This loss is irreplaceable, especially considering her contributions to the cultural sector of Ho Chi Minh City.

The funeral of Meritorious Artist Bich Hiep will be held at the National Funeral Home in the South (5 Pham Ngu Lao Street, Ward 3, Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City). The memorial service will begin at 11:45 AM, followed by cremation at Binh Hung Hoa crematorium, Ho Chi Minh City.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/nsut-bich-hiep-qua-doi-196241216101235321.htm