Coming from a family with no artistic tradition, Phuong Dung never thought she would embark on a career in theater. A chance came when a close friend invited her to register for the entrance exam to the School of Stage Arts II.
But surprisingly, her friend failed, but Phuong Dung passed. Initially, she had no intention of enrolling, but when asked to return the admission notice to give another candidate a chance, she decided to give it a try.
Phuong Dung's family situation was very difficult at that time: her father died early, her mother had to shoulder the burden of raising five children. As the eldest sister, she always tried to find ways to reduce the economic pressure on her mother.
The School of Dramatic Arts at that time operated under the state payroll, students were provided with rice, necessities, and monthly money. Phuong Dung thought that she could continue learning a new profession while also receiving a “salary”, reducing the burden on her mother. That was the motivation for her to enter the School of Dramatic Arts.
An important turning point in Phuong Dung’s career was when she joined the Kim Cuong Drama Troupe. At that time, the troupe suddenly lacked a suitable actor for a special role and she was introduced by her teacher, Meritorious Artist Thanh Tri, to play the role of Le “long nails” in the play “The Last Storm”.
This role marked an important turning point in her career, opening up new opportunities. Phuong Dung continued to impress the audience through outstanding roles such as Co Ba Hoi Dong in the play “La durian” and Cam in the play “Tam Cam”.
However, her youthful impetuosity and emotional life led Phuong Dung to a different turn. She chose to put personal feelings above her career and left art for more than a decade. During that difficult period, she helped her mother with her business to make a living, but the nostalgia for her profession still burned in her heart.
“There were nights when I missed my job, I took out my makeup box and put it on myself, then put it back on again. I knew for sure that this job was starting to get into my blood,” she confided.
Phuong Dung recounted that the opportunity to return to the stage unexpectedly came when Uncle Chin Tan, head of the Bong Hong drama troupe, accidentally met Phuong Dung while she was selling vermicelli with spring rolls.
Knowing her talent, Uncle Tan convinced her to return to the stage, promising to support her with accommodation and advance her salary to buy a bicycle to go to work. From here, Phuong Dung became involved in cinema through the role of Tao Thi in the movie "Pham Cong Cuc Hoa".
