Old age diseases
In his old age, artist Mac Can - a familiar face to audiences through the role of Uncle Ba Phi (Southern Land) and a series of personality-rich literary works - revealed that he does not have a pension because he does not participate in voluntary social insurance.
In the years before moving to Thi Nghe Nursing Center (HCMC) in early 2024, he lived in a small house.
Physical condition weakened due to a series of age-related diseases such as heart failure, high blood pressure, arthritis and frequent stomach bleeding requiring emergency hospitalization.
Although traveling completely depends on a wheelchair or cane, the veteran artist is still determined not to become a burden for his children and grandchildren.
Diligently typing and sticking with the profession
Without retirement money, the old computer became Mac Can's main "need to earn a living".
Despite his old age, with a rich life experience and innate literary talent, he persistently wrote novels, short stories and collaborated with articles for newspapers and magazines. Pen profits from book works and essays helped him have scattered income to pay for rent and daily medicine.
In parallel with writing, his passion for cinema and theater has never faded. Although his health does not allow him to participate in long-term projects, Mac Can is still excited to accept roles as a guest (cameo), short scenes that do not require much movement are offered by close directors. The cat-xe from these roles, although not large, is a priceless source of spiritual encouragement, helping him ease his nostalgia for the profession.
Besides, magic - a profession that has been associated with him since he was a teenager with a street troupe - is also used by him in small exchanges. Although just sitting in one place, his hands are already trembling, his witty magic tricks still bring laughter to viewers, in exchange for small salaries to cover the day.
Warm support in the final stage of life
Unstable income from writing and acting in short films has caused Mac Can's life to often fall into a state of shortage before and shortage after. Faced with that situation, artist groups such as the Ho Chi Minh City Cinema Association, the Ho Chi Minh City Theater Association and many later generation colleagues have repeatedly mobilized donations and visits to support him with hospital fees for each serious illness.
By the beginning of 2024, in the face of particularly difficult circumstances and his declining health, Ho Chi Minh City functional agencies had completed procedures to bring artist Mac Can and a number of veteran artists for centralized care at Thi Nghe Nursing Center.
Here, he was fully supported with living expenses, had a team of doctors and nurses monitoring his health and enjoyed social allowances, officially ending the days of hard work in his old age.
