Bao Quoc's greatest wish is to reform opera.

Returning to Vietnam to visit his family, artist Bao Quoc talked about his aspirations for reformed opera art, comedy, and a peaceful life with his children and grandchildren.

At the age of 76, artist Bao Quoc shares his wishes, happy to live peacefully with his wife and children - Photo: LE GIANG

Artist Bao Quoc attended an event and met with the press on September 24. Every year he goes to the US for a medical check-up, and when he recovers, he returns to Vietnam to visit his family.

Regarding his health, he joked: "It's always good to be happy." He has a serious liver disease, has had several surgeries and is now quite stable. As required by the doctor, his wife takes good care of his diet. He exercises for an hour every morning to stay healthy.

Still singing every day, with a heavy heart for reformed opera

At 76 years old, Bao Quoc still loves art but rarely participates in performances. If his health is good and he finds a suitable program, he still wants to perform, especially Cai Luong. But at this time, he has no plans.

As a descendant of a famous cai luong family, with father Nam Nghia (Lu Hoa Nghia) and mother Tho (Nguyen Thi Tho), artist Bao Quoc talks about his life's aspirations and wishes: "That is the art of cai luong".

Artist Bao Quoc returns to Vietnam to visit his children and grandchildren, attend events and participate in activities at the pagoda.

He still has a deep concern for Cai Luong because of his family's tradition. He hopes that young people will look back at this traditional art form and love their country more.

At the age of 76, Bao Quoc still sings cải lương every day. He said that when he is at home, he still sings his favorite songs and still misses his old roles such as the role of Chuong Hau in Tiếng Trống Mê Linh, Y "xi ke" in Bóng Darkness và Ánh Sáng , and Nhan Tan in Nô Thần.

"At home I sing all the time, but when I go on stage I have to know if my health can meet the demands. In art, the most important thing is the audience. If I perform well on stage, I will meet the expectations of the audience. If I am not healthy, it will affect my performance, so I have to hesitate," he said.

In particular, he is very appreciative of the young people today who love Cai Luong singing: "I really appreciate the children who compete in the Golden Bell of Southern Opera because in this day and age, there are still young children who love Cai Luong to learn to sing and compete. Singing for fun is not a problem, but competing is a problem. The children competing helps Cai Luong survive."

Artists support the innovative direction in Cai Luong, combining it with other genres to reach the youth: "If we can do something new and different, we will continue. If we can't, we will find another way. Everyone wants Cai Luong to last forever. If the children accept it, that's great. We will just keep doing it and slowly return to the old way."

I always hope that Cai Luong can survive. Cai Luong is now somewhat diminished because the young people do not understand it very well. But I am also glad that there are programs on the city television station that bring about Cai Luong, such as Chuong Vang Vong Co or Vang Trang Co Nhac, which will maintain and help the children understand Cai Luong.

Artist Bao Quoc

Bao Quoc: Living peacefully is the happiest thing in life

Artist Bao Quoc said he rarely performs comedy lately. He also admires young comedians today because bringing laughter to the audience is very difficult, one must love the profession very much to do it.

This time back in Vietnam, Bao Quoc rarely went to see stage plays because he had activities at the temple and school, contributing his efforts to help people in difficult circumstances. Regarding charity work, Bao Quoc and his wife advocated doing it quietly, supporting people in difficult circumstances but often without mentioning his name. He really appreciated his wife for that.

Bao Quoc in conversation with Tuoi Tre Online and other newspapers

Recently, many veteran actors who have settled in the US have returned to Vietnam to act in films, notably Hong Dao. Bao Quoc praised Hong Dao for being very talented. Acting in films is something that every actor wants to participate in, but it also requires a very long time. He finds it difficult to accept roles because he is not sure if his health can guarantee the filming schedule.

In both the US and Vietnam, he has children and grandchildren, so he travels back and forth to be with them. "In old age, being happy with children and grandchildren is the best - he is happy when his children and grandchildren have their own happiness - My life is so satisfying. Living peacefully is the happiest thing in life."

LE GIANG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tam-nguyen-lon-nhat-cua-bao-quoc-la-cai-luong-20250928085444279.htm