Revelations about the beautiful and private wife of People's Artist Bui Bai Binh.

Meritorious Artist Ngoc Thu, wife of People's Artist Bui Bai Binh, was once famous for her role as Ut Tich in the classic film "Mother Absent from Home". At 70 years old, she is still beautiful and lives a private life.

Meritorious Artist Ngoc Thu poses next to the poster for the film starring People's Artist Bui Bai Binh, which has just been released in theaters. Photo by Quynh An.

I met Meritorious Artist Ngoc Thu when she attended the premiere of the film "The Generation of Miracles" in Hanoi , where her husband, People's Artist Bui Bai Binh, was also present. This was a rare occasion for her to appear at entertainment events, but the striking beauty and demeanor of this former screen goddess were unmistakable.

Meritorious Artist Ngoc Thu was born in 1956, the same age as People's Artist Bui Bai Binh. Both studied in the same class at the Hanoi University of Theatre and Film. In the Northern Vietnamese film industry, they are one of the most famous and harmonious acting couples, having been married for over 44 years.

In recent years, People's Artist Bui Bai Binh, despite his age, has continuously participated in various film projects, both large and small, while Meritorious Artist Ngoc Thu has appeared less frequently, partly because she rarely finds suitable roles, and partly because she still wants to dedicate more time to caring for her family. The most recent film she participated in was "Hoa Sua Ve Trong Gio" (Milk Flower Returns in the Wind ), which aired during prime time on VTV last year.

The beauty of Meritorious Artist Ngoc Thu at age 70. Photo by Quynh An.

Speaking to VietNamNet, Meritorious Artist Ngoc Thu said that staying home to allow her husband to focus on filming wasn't a sacrifice, because if there were suitable films, the actress would still accept them. "When I was younger, I had to make sacrifices because there was no one to take care of the housework, but now that my children are grown and I have more free time, everything is stable, so if I like it, I'll go make films," said Meritorious Artist Ngoc Thu.

In her eyes, People's Artist Bui Bai Binh was a passionate worker; he accepted every film offer, big or small. Meritorious Artist Ngoc Thu and her husband have always maintained the principle that whoever receives a film offer goes, without needing to inform the other, because they understand that it is each person's job and career.

For film lovers, Meritorious Artist Ngoc Thu is not an unfamiliar face. She was even famous before her husband when she played the role of Ut Tich in the classic film "Mother Absent from Home" in 1979 at the young age of 23. However, after getting married and having children, Meritorious Artist Ngoc Thu chose to step back to take care of her family and for many years did not participate in films, allowing her husband time to focus on his career. She understood that if both husband and wife worked in film, there would be no one to take care of the children and nurture their family.

Do you regret not being awarded the title of People's Artist despite being famous for many years? Meritorious Artist Ngoc Thu replied: "I don't regret anything! I'm very happy to be working and acting in films. People's Artist, Meritorious Artist - any title is not important as long as I'm still working, having good roles, and good films. But I regret that leading female roles are now often given to younger actresses, rarely to older generations of actresses like me."

Meritorious Artist Ngoc Thu shared that she has two sons; her eldest, over 40 years old, is married and about to have a grandchild. She said that having a grandchild to hold will make her busier, but if she knows how to manage her time, Meritorious Artist Ngoc Thu will still return to the screen when a suitable role comes along.

People's Artist Bui Bai Binh and Meritorious Artist Ngoc Thu, a married couple, on the red carpet of the Hanoi International Film Festival. Photo: Archival material.

Meritorious Artist Ngoc Thu recounted that there was a time when it was quite difficult to arrange time when both she and her husband were filming. When she was younger, she often had to bring her children to the film set to take care of them, but now, with fewer commitments, both she and her husband have more time for film. For Meritorious Artist Ngoc Thu, even after becoming a mother, she only helps her children with childcare to some extent; it's no longer her main job.

People's Artist Bui Bai Binh shared with VietNamNet that he and Meritorious Artist Ngoc Thu fell in love around 1975-1976 when they were both studying in the second acting class at the University of Theatre and Film. Although there were many beautiful women in the class such as Minh Chau, Phuong Thanh, and Thanh Quy, only Ngoc Thu caught Bui Bai Binh's eye.

"We were both born in 1956, studied acting together, and met at film school. Our group of friends, all from Hanoi, would take the tram near Buoi every Saturday afternoon. My house was at the intersection of To Hien Thanh and Thu's was near Cho Gioi market. On Sunday afternoons, we would take the tram back to school together. It was fate; I didn't intend to marry a colleague."

"She wasn't the prettiest in the class, not as pretty as Phuong Thanh or Thanh Quy, but she was the eldest of five siblings. I admired Thu because she was hardworking and diligent. I couldn't even dream of girls from fancy families in Hang Ngang or Hang Dao, and they wouldn't love me anyway. In 1981, we decided to start a family," People's Artist Bui Bai Binh shared with VietNamNet.

Half a century after they fell in love, and now over 44 years as husband and wife, People's Artist Bui Bai Binh and Meritorious Artist Ngoc Thu still maintain a harmonious marriage with their two sons. The male artist believes the secret to maintaining a marriage is "first, compatibility; second, knowing how to compromise; and always remembering that you have a family in everything you do."

Actress Ngoc Thu shares her thoughts on a scene from "Mother Is Away" (Source: Cine 7)

People's Artist Bùi Bài Bình recounts his 42-year marriage to his classmate , actress Ngọc Thu from 'Mother Absent'. Although they were classmates with Minh Châu, Thanh Quý, and others, he only "chose" her, a girl his age who lived nearby.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/nhan-sac-tuoi-70-cua-nguoi-vo-xinh-dep-noi-tieng-khong-kem-nsnd-bui-bai-binh-2471416.html