At the age of U90, artist Hong Sap living in Ho Chi Minh City still cannot stop working. Her most frequent source of income today comes from her job of looking after costumes for the Huynh Long classical drama troupe and a monthly allowance of 2.65 million VND from the city.
She is in charge of preparing, arranging and preserving performance costumes. When the troupe has a performance, the female artist also takes care of belongings, props and supports the work behind the stage.
During tours at communal houses, pagodas or provinces, Hong Sap followed the troupe backstage. At times, she went on stage to replace the role when the main actor arrived late or could not perform.
If she receives a suitable invitation, she continues to act in movies, act as a supporting actress or take on supporting roles in Cai Luong. However, the work is not regular and the salary does not become a stable source of income.
In July 2026, the female artist revealed to a reporter from Lao Dong Newspaper that she had received about 5 million VND for a role. This is a significant amount of money for her, but such opportunities are increasingly fewer due to old age and limited health.
Before getting involved in costume work, artist Hong Sap had gone through many jobs to support her family. When she was young, she sold snacks at the theater because she didn't want to ask her parents for money.
Later, when Cai Luong declined and the troupe encountered difficulties, she switched to selling vegetables at Cau Muoi market. Rheumatism and age caused the female artist to be unable to maintain her business for a long time.
Once Hong Sap was invited to play a lottery ticket seller. While waiting for filming, she took real lottery tickets to sell to earn extra money. She also took on roles of poor women, maids or elderly people in television and film.
Artist Hong Sap said that she once had a place in an artist nursing home. If she chooses to go here, she no longer has to worry about rent and will be cared for in her old age. However, the female artist does not want to live alone while her grandchildren are outside. She also said that she loves freedom, so she wants to be outside to travel more conveniently.
She once shared that if she went to a nursing home, she would be cared for, but her grandchild would have no place to rely on. Therefore, she continued to stay outside, working to help the family cover living expenses.
According to Binh Tinh - Head of Huynh Long classical drama troupe currently, artist Hong Sap's nephew, Bui Van Dong (born in 2000, orphaned of both father and mother), is being taken by his grandmother to work as a helper for the troupe. In addition, this nephew also helps her carry her to work and perform. Artist Hong Sap's nephew's income is unstable, enough to help her with part of the expenses.
In a conversation with reporters, Van Dong revealed that he used to work and was scammed out of some money, then he quit his job for a while and joined Binh Tinh's group to earn extra expenses.
In recent years, artist Binh Tinh and Huynh Long Tuong Co Cai Luong Troupe have supported Hong Sap with rent and a part of electricity and water costs. This help helps her reduce pressure, but the female artist still accepts work when possible.
After more than 70 years attached to the stage, Hong Sap does not have a significant accumulation.
What she once longed for was not a large house but just a place sufficient for family members to live and have good health to work.
