Good news for the 80-year-old artist couple who were scammed out of 1.3 billion VND.

Artist couple An Danh and Thanh Vân recently received over 30 million VND from the "Cần câu cơm" (Fisherman's Need for a Meal) program, episode 85, with the support of People's Artist Phượng Loan, artists Minh Vương, Thoại Mỹ, and many colleagues.

The gift-giving ceremony took place at the end of May, with People's Artist Phuong Loan and other artists personally delivering the gifts. The artists contributed 10 million VND – in addition to her own money, she represented a group of artist friends who were unable to attend due to work commitments.

People's Artist Phuong Loan emphasized to VietNamNet that in cases like this, the principle is always "Money must reach each individual in person."

She shared that the total amount of money received by artist An Danh was over 30 million VND. People's Artist Phuong Loan alone contributed 10 million VND, while People's Artists Minh Vuong, Meritorious Artist Thoai My, Hong To... and many other colleagues also contributed, each from a few hundred thousand to a few million VND. This is a practical amount of money given that the couple is simultaneously bearing the costs of medication and surgery for Ms. Thanh Van's leg.

People's Artist Phượng Loan presented money to artist An Danh. The artists reunited in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Artist An Danh is a familiar face to audiences in Southern Vietnam, having collaborated with troupes such as Kim Chung 2 and the City Performing Arts Troupe for many years. His most memorable role is that of Bay Xi in the play "The Durian Tree Blooms".

His wife, artist Thanh Vân, used to sing with the Saigon 3 troupe, playing the princess in the play "The Young Wife's Hair" and performing with artist Lệ Thủy in "When Dawn Returns." As a leading comedian with a decent income, he knew how to save for his old age. Six years ago, the couple returned to their hometown of Cần Thơ to build a house with a garden, intending to enjoy the rest of their lives there.

In 2024, scammers posing as police officers called, isolated him, and pressured him to transfer 1.3 billion VND. He was so scared that he didn't dare tell his children, didn't dare report it to the police, and didn't dare answer the phone for a long time. Adding to his debt, he had to sell his newly built house to pay off his debts. The elderly couple were left renting a place, penniless after a lifetime of saving.

The emotional distress caused by losing their home and belongings has led to a decline in his health. His underlying conditions of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and arthritis have worsened. Adding insult to injury, artist Thanh Vân recently fell and broke his leg, requiring expensive surgery at Can Tho General Hospital. The elderly couple rely on each other, lacking health insurance and without children by their side.

Speaking to VietNamNet, People's Artist Phuong Loan – who sang with him at the City Performing Arts Troupe for many years – said she had lost contact with artist An Danh a long time ago and knew nothing about his current life. It was only when the "Need a Rice" program – founded and regularly maintained by journalist Kho Gia Tuong to help a struggling artist every two weeks – published his name that artists learned about it and joined hands to support him. The case of artist An Danh is the 85th instance of the program.

People's Artist Phượng Loan presents money to artist An Danh:

Photo: Screenshot, Video : Ly Thanh Lap

An 80-year-old Cai Luong (Vietnamese traditional opera) artist An Danh and his wife Thanh Vân, both 80 years old, were scammed out of 1.3 billion VND by a phone call from a scammer impersonating a police officer. They were forced to sell their house and move to Can Tho to rent accommodation, relying on community support.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/tin-vui-cho-vo-chong-nghe-si-80-tuoi-bi-lua-1-3-ty-dong-phai-ban-nha-o-tro-2511262.html