After many decades attached to the stage, Meritorious Artist Bao Quoc is no longer running shows with a high frequency. The daily life of the male artist mainly revolves around family, trees and simple pleasures in the US.
Bao Quoc currently lives with his wife and family of his youngest daughter - actress Hong Loan in the US. His family owns a villa worth about 1.8 million USD (more than 45 billion VND), with an area of nearly 340m2, with 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, swimming pool and outdoor living space.
One of the places Bao Quoc spends the most time is the garden of more than 300m2 around the house.
The male artist grows many familiar fruit trees to Vietnamese people such as longan, plums, mangoes, lemons, cherries and coconuts. Some trees are now entering the harvest season, with branches laden with fruit.
Bao Quoc said that the weather in the place where he lives is sunny, suitable for some types of fruit trees. To help the trees grow well, he maintains daily watering, using cow dung bought at Vietnamese markets.
Taking care of the garden has also become a part of the male artist's lifestyle. Every morning, after exercising, he often walks around the garden to check the trees, then picks the ripe fruits himself.
At the present time, the male artist's plum is bearing many fruits, Bao Quoc only needs to stand under the canopy to pick a large quantity. The fruit harvested in the garden is mainly for the family to use. When the tree bears too many fruits, he and his wife share it with neighbors and acquaintances.
The space around the house also bears many imprints of the wife who has accompanied Bao Quoc for many decades. She grows kumquats, earth orchids, roses, dry coconuts and many plants that evoke familiar scenery in Vietnam.
On days without a performance schedule, the couple takes care of the trees together, rests or spends time with their children and grandchildren.
His current life is different from the period when Bao Quoc continuously appeared on stage. During his active period, he was one of the favorite comedians in the South, with a busy performance schedule.
After many years of working and accumulating, the male artist and his wife have a stable life. In addition to the house they are living in, the family has some real estate for rent. In his old age, he also supports his daughter in the real estate business.
However, Bao Quoc has not completely left the stage. He limits accepting shows and chooses programs suitable for his health, prioritizing charity activities. The male artist still acts in plays, comedy sketches and occasionally performs excerpts of Cai Luong.
Every year, Bao Quoc tries to return to Vietnam at least once. In addition to visiting relatives, he accepts to participate in some programs of long-time colleagues.
Born in 1949, Bao Quoc comes from a family with a tradition of Cai Luong. His father is artist Nam Nghia, his mother is Mrs. Bau Tho - who is associated with the Thanh Minh Cai Luong troupe.
Bao Quoc won the Thanh Tam Gold Medal in 1967, then made his mark in both Cai Luong and comedy. In 1991, he was awarded the title of Meritorious Artist.
After many decades standing under the spotlight, Bao Quoc's rhythm of life is now slower. At the age of U80, his daily joy is walking around the garden in the morning, taking care of trees and fruits himself, and spending time with his family.
