Meet NSND Hoai Thu: The Youngest People’s Artist of Vietnamese Cheo Opera

In the latest round of prestigious state honors, Hoai Thu has officially become the youngest artist to be awarded the title of People's Artist (NSND) in the field of Cheo, Vietnam's traditional operatic art form. Born in 1984 in the 'cradle of Cheo,' Thai Binh province, Hoai Thu's journey to the pinnacle of Vietnamese stage arts is a story of immense talent, dedication, and a natural affinity for the spotlight.

Hoai Thu's career began early. At just 15 years old, she joined the Thai Binh Cheo Troupe, and by 2001, she had already made a national impact. Her portrayal of the iconic character Thi Mau in the play 'Quan Am Thi Kinh' earned her four major awards at the National Professional Cheo Festival, including a Gold Medal and the Young Talent award. Her sharp, expressive eyes and golden voice made her a natural fit for the 'chieu cheo' (Cheo mat), where she quickly became a fan favorite.

After a period of working at the Youth Theatre and taking a hiatus to focus on her family with her husband, the renowned director NSND Le Hung, Hoai Thu made a triumphant return to the stage in 2013. Despite a decade-long break, her talent remained undiminished. She took on the challenging role of Trung Trac in 'Chien Thang Me Linh' and continued to sweep Gold Medals at every competition she entered. To date, her trophy cabinet includes 6 Gold Medals, a silver international cup, and multiple 'Best Actress' awards.

Beyond her acting prowess, NSND Hoai Thu has also proven herself as a formidable director. Her directorial work on 'Linh Tu Quoc Mau' won the Best Play award at the 2022 National Cheo Festival, while she personally took home the Best Director prize. Her repertoire includes unforgettable lead roles such as My Duyen in 'Canh Chim Trang Trong Dem' and Truong Phu nhân in 'Chuyen Tinh Tren Ben Nam Xang.' Hoai Thu represents a bridge between the traditional roots of Cheo and a modern, dynamic approach to performing arts, ensuring that this cultural treasure continues to thrive for future generations.

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