Meritorious Artist Phuong Hong Thuy's portrayal of Dieu Hoai will be a defining role in her theatrical career.
On March 8th, at 3 PM, the Hoang Thai Thanh theater will present the play "29 Years Old, He's Back." The play, which had already been performed twice yesterday, March 7th, received enthusiastic applause from the audience for the appearance of Meritorious Artist Phuong Hong Thuy in a play considered a hymn to fidelity and the awakening of conscience. It was a beautiful performance, both in content and form.
Some artists endure through time with their glamour. Others remain in the hearts of the public through their authenticity. Meritorious Artist Phuong Hong Thuy belongs to the latter group. Thirty years ago, readers of the Nguoi Lao Dong newspaper voted for and awarded her the 1998 Mai Vang Award for her role as Cam Thanh in "The Opera Singer" – a role deeply imbued with the fate of an artist. And today, with the role of Dieu Hoai, Phuong Hong Thuy continues to captivate audiences.
Phuong Hong Thuy is persistent and dedicated to her profession.
During the performances at the Hoang Thai Thanh stage in early 2026, the audience gave Meritorious Artist Phuong Hong Thuy a standing ovation as the curtain closed.
The play "29 Years Old, He Returns," directed by Thanh Hoi, created a miracle thanks to her beautiful performance. The audience wept when they heard her sing the four verses of "Phoenix," but in a double-stringed style, conveying the poignant sorrow of a wife waiting for her husband in tears for over 20 years.
With her authentic acting style, Phuong Hong Thuy brought many emotions to the role of Dieu Hoai (in the play "29 Anh Ve").
Those were also tears of happiness for her as she received so much affection from the public for the artist. For readers and viewers of the Mai Vàng Awards, they remembered and witnessed the honor bestowed upon Meritorious Artist Phương Hồng Thủy in that same moment of joy. Because, no one knew that to achieve this success, she had to face many hardships. From a young actress on a provincial stage venturing into the showbiz world of a big city, she had to hone her innate talents to be recognized as an actress who could easily embody various characters and destinies.
Before winning the Mai Vàng Award, she won the gold medal at the Trần Hữu Trang Award in 1991, and together with People's Artist Trọng Hữu, was voted the best traditional singing duo of 1990.
That journey seemed complete. But with unwavering dedication to the stage, Meritorious Artist Phuong Hong Thuy never gave up her passion. She made a comeback in a different guise: the role of teacher Dieu Hoai in the play "29 Anh Ve" at the Hoang Thai Thanh Stage, a truly impressive performance.
For a cải lương (traditional Vietnamese opera) artist to transition to spoken drama – a move not easily accomplished – the change was as natural as breathing for her. In the role of Diệu Hoài, Phương Hồng Thủy didn't bring the familiar singing and acting style of cải lương. There was no emphasis, no exaggeration, no ostentatious display of technique. She exercised maximum restraint, allowing all emotions to reside deep within her eyes, in the silence between lines of dialogue. Audiences at many performances were silent, as if holding their breath. The emotions didn't surge loudly but seeped in gradually, like an underground stream.
In the performance of the song "Phoenix," Phuong Hong Thuy's portrayal of Dieu Hoai was a pinnacle of emotionally moving acting.
"I just think I have to be true to the character. When the character hurts, I hurt. When the character remembers, I remember. If I'm genuine, the audience will believe me. At this age, to still be loved and listened to by the audience is already a great happiness," she said, her voice slow but her eyes still shining with gratitude.
The acting of Phuong Hong Thuy is authentic and genuine.
That authenticity has been the essence of Meritorious Artist Phuong Hong Thuy since the peak of Cai Luong (Vietnamese traditional opera). She doesn't perform to show off her technique; she performs to delve into the deepest aspects of her characters.
When mentioning her, theater lovers still remember a poignant Mong Cam in "The Love Story of Han Mac Tu," a tragic Thuy Kieu in "Who Killed Kieu," a strong-willed Y Lan in "Regent Y Lan," a heart-wrenching Ut Luom in "The Lute of Tears," and a pitiful Hue in "Fated Love"... Especially the role of Cam Thanh in the play "The Singing Actress," her favorite role because she shared the stage with the late Meritorious Artist Vu Linh and was awarded the Mai Vang Award . "I always remember the feeling when my name was called at the Mai Vang Award ceremony at Suoi Tien Tourist Area. It was an award voted on by the readers of Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper . Recognition from the audience is the most sacred thing. The role of Cam Thanh is associated with many beautiful memories, especially performing with Vu Linh – a wonderful co-star. I am grateful to the readers and audience for giving me that trust," she recalled emotionally.
When it comes to art, Phuong Hong Thuy is very meticulous.
During her trips back to Vietnam after settling down with her husband, she dedicated many evenings to attending plays. From Thien Dang Theater to Hoang Thai Thanh Theater, she was always in the audience for new productions. She said she enjoyed watching her colleagues perform to learn, gain experience, and especially to live in the theatrical environment that demands meticulousness from the artist.
"Besides performing Cai Luong (traditional Vietnamese opera), interacting with young audiences, or participating in school theater, I enjoy watching plays. That's why I was fortunate to have a wonderful reunion with the creative team behind the play '29 Anh Ve' (29 Years Old) at the Hoang Thai Thanh theater. It was a kindred spirit meeting where we could tell a very beautiful story of love and fidelity," said Meritorious Artist Phuong Hong Thuy.
"I cherish the public's affection. I still hope that the Cai Luong and theatrical stages will have many good works in 2026 so that artists can freely create. I wish the Mai Vang Awards will flourish, marking 32 years of brilliant development," said Meritorious Artist Phuong Hong Thuy.
Source: https://nld.com.vn/nsut-phuong-hong-thuy-lang-le-giu-ngon-lua-nghe-196260308054328573.htm
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