Vietnamese Artists Gather to Honor the Late Cai Luong Legend Vu Linh

On February 23, the Vietnamese artistic community and countless fans gathered to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the passing of NSUT Vu Linh, the 'King of Ho Quang Opera.' The atmosphere was one of deep nostalgia and respect as colleagues and family members held a memorial service to honor the man who dedicated his life to the traditional art of Cai Luong.

Vu Linh’s daughter, Hong Loan, along with his adopted children and fellow performers Binh Tinh and Vu Luan, were central to the preparations. Hong Loan expressed her profound longing for her father, noting that her recent participation in stage plays has made her realize the immense hard work and dedication her father poured into his craft. She also expressed gratitude for the fans, YouTubers, and TikTokers who showed up to keep his memory alive. Despite the ongoing legal disputes within the family regarding his estate, Hong Loan’s primary wish is for her father to find peace in the afterlife.

Colleagues like NSND Le Thuy and NSUT Dieu Hien shared touching stories of Vu Linh’s early days. Known for the philosophy that 'teaching a trade is more valuable than giving gold,' Vu Linh was a dedicated mentor. He was instrumental in supporting the next generation of performers through his 'Nguoi Dua Do' (The Ferryman) program, helping artists like Huu Quoc, Que Tran, and Tu Suong find their footing. His versatility allowed him to excel in both social dramas and ancient opera (tuong co), with legendary performances in 'Luong Son Ba - Chuc Anh Dai' and 'Co Dao Hat.'

NSUT Vu Linh passed away on March 5, 2023, at the age of 66, after a brave battle with cancer. Throughout his career, he filmed over 400 Cai Luong videos and won numerous prestigious awards, including the Mai Vang (Golden Apricot) Award. He was a household name who worked alongside almost every major female artist of his time, including Tai Linh and Ngoc Huyen. As the incense smoke rose at his memorial, it was clear that while the man is gone, his influence on Vietnamese culture remains immortal. He wasn't just a performer; he was a teacher, a father figure, and a true icon of the stage.

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