Ho Chi Minh City Cai Luong Theater: Aspiring Generation of Successors

Among the three contestants in the final round of the 20th Golden Bell of Traditional Music in 2025 (organized by Ho Chi Minh City Radio and Television), one is only 16 years old. New plays on the Ho Chi Minh City stage since the beginning of the year have all had the mark of young people, from performing artists to directors, scriptwriters, etc. This shows that young people are gradually asserting their role as successors and successors in preserving and promoting traditional arts.

The next generation of talented artists of the Ho Chi Minh City Cai Luong stage: Meritorious Artist Vo Minh Lam (right) and artist Nguyen Minh Truong in the play Co Dao Hat

Spread fresh colors

For many audiences, the image of Vuong Quan Tri (born in 2009) at the final night of the 20th Golden Bell of Traditional Opera reminded them of Vo Minh Lam (born in 1989) at the first Golden Bell of Traditional Opera contest (in 2006, then called Television Traditional Opera Star). At that time, although only 17 years old, Vo Minh Lam surpassed many seniors to be honored with the highest prize. The following year (2007), the contest continued to honor another young face, Nguyen Ngoc Doi (born in 1987), who was just 20 years old at that time. Up to now, both artists have affirmed their position on the reformed opera stage, not only with the title of Meritorious Artist but also with works that have caused a lot of resonance, highly appreciated by audiences and theater critics.

The above names are not isolated cases. Young artists continuously appear, leaving their mark on the audience, such as: Ho Ngoc Trinh, Thu Van, Vo Thanh Phe, Nguyen Minh Truong, Nguyen Van Khoi, Nguyen Thanh Toan, Nguyen Thi Luan, Nguyen Van Meo, Phung Ngoc Bay, Bui Trung Dang, Nguyen Quoc Nhut, Hung Vuong, Phuong Cam Ngoc, Cao Thuy Vy, Ngoc Quyen, Thanh Nhuong, Le Hoang Nghi... Just like that, from one young generation to another, the artists have added new vitality to the traditional Cai Luong stage.

However, young blood is only a part of a professional art. Being blessed with a singing voice is only the first quality that an artist needs. To develop talent, it is still necessary to practice and learn from the older generations so that young people can mature through each role and play.

Artist Nguyen Minh Truong, winner of the 2014 Golden Bell of Traditional Opera, currently Deputy Head of the Art Department at Tran Huu Trang Opera House, said: “The competitions help young people to be known by the audience, which is a great advantage for artists. However, despite their talent, to go further in their career, the most important thing is still the artist's own efforts. One of the effective ways is to try to find an art unit or a professional stage to collaborate, learn, strive, thereby having the conditions to develop professionally and reach success.”

As someone who always has trust and expectations for young artists, Meritorious Artist and Director Hoa Ha affirmed: “Young artists today are very quick and versatile. If they are trained, studied and practiced properly, I am sure they will shine. I also hope that theaters and troupes can open their doors to welcome young talents, support their training and give them opportunities…”.

Overcoming hardships to grow up

In fact, many young artists who became famous through competitions could not go far in their artistic career. Some were drawn to the path of “salon singers”, specializing in singing traditional songs at conferences and events, earning high incomes but lacking the training in major roles and plays. Over time, when new factors appeared, the attraction of the old gradually faded.

Meritorious Artist Vo Minh Lam shared: “Up to now, the successes I have achieved, besides luck, also come from hard work. Awards in competitions help you get closer to your dream, but next comes the cultivation, training and a lot of “sacrifice”. You cannot always chase after “shows” to make money, but need to commit to the path of serious study and training, humbly learn, from acting, transforming into characters, makeup, choreography... in professional art environments. It is a journey with many difficulties and hardships, but only then can it be a long-term artistic path, helping you mature and develop steadily in your career.”

From the perspective of someone who has been involved in the stage for many years, composer Hoang Song Viet pondered: “I have witnessed many artists who think that singing 6 vọng cổ verses well is enough, earning a lot of money is success. But if so, their career will not last long, after a few years, they will have used up all the capital given to them and that is it. Meanwhile, true artists, many of whom are 50, 60, 70 years old, are still performing, living firmly with their profession. We can take the example of the two finalists of the Golden Bell vọng cổ, Vương Quan Trí and Lê Thị Hà Như (2006), they have sweet, beautiful voices, a huge advantage, but their acting is still weak and immature - which is normal for their age. If they are trained in a professional unit, guided by a good director, tested in long plays, difficult roles... then they will certainly have a place in the cải lương stage”.

“From the perspective of state management, I think there should be a specific mechanism to attract young, talented human resources for the art of reformed opera. They need to be formally trained from a young age, so that they have more time to study and develop their expertise and talents. In addition, there should be a preferential career regime for traditional stage artists, so that this national art form does not fade away over time,” said artist Nguyen Minh Truong.

THUY BINH

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/san-khau-cai-luong-tphcm-the-he-ke-thua-day-khat-vong-post817597.html