In the flow of Vietnamese Cai Luong stage, artist Vu Linh is considered one of the prominent main actors from the late 1980s to the early 2000s. Besides familiar co-stars such as Tai Linh, Ngoc Huyen or Thoai My, artist Phuong Hong Thuy is also a face who has collaborated with him many times on stage and in traditional opera programs.
Fateful encounter in the Cai Luong environment
Artists Vu Linh and Phuong Hong Thuy met when they worked together in Cai Luong stage art and performing troupes during the period when Cai Luong video was strongly developed. The two regularly participated in Ca Co, Tan Co Giao Duyen programs and tours in many provinces and cities.
At that time, Vu Linh caused a stir when possessing an emotional acting style and characteristic stage presence. Meanwhile, Phuong Hong Thuy was known to the audience for her sweet voice, deep Vong Co singing style and emotional performance style. The similarity in artistic emotions helped the two create many harmonious combinations.
Not only are they co-stars on stage, the two also won the gold medal of the Tran Huu Trang Award in 1991, an important milestone in the career of many Cai Luong artists.
Combinations
During the period when Cai Luong video was strongly developed, Vu Linh participated in many plays and ancient opera programs, including many times standing on the same stage with Phuong Hong Thuy.
Some plays and performances featuring the combination of the two artists include "Dem dem nho le" (composed by Thach Tuyen), "Song dai" (composed by Ha Trieu - Hoa Phuong) and "Co dao hat" (composed by Hoang Song Viet). In addition, the two artists have also repeatedly duetted familiar cai luong excerpts such as "Lan va Diep" (composed by Loan Thao), which have received a response from the audience.
In a music night when Phuong Hong Thuy came to Vietnam to perform, Vu Linh once shared: "In the actresses I have performed with, each person has their own charm, but with Phuong Hong Thuy, I always perform most intimately.
Affinity in the profession
Phuong Hong Thuy once said that Vu Linh is one of her closest co-stars throughout her career. The two artists have many opportunities to collaborate in performance and tour programs, creating duets that are loved by audiences.
In the early 2000s, Phuong Hong Thuy immigrated to the United States after getting married, so the two no longer had many opportunities to meet regularly. However, every time the female artist returns to Vietnam to organize music nights, especially charity programs, Vu Linh often tries to arrange time to attend to support.
According to Vu Linh's sharing, although living abroad, Phuong Hong Thuy is still deeply attached to her hometown Cai Luong and often returns to Vietnam to perform to meet audiences.
After Vu Linh passed away in 2023, many Cai Luong artists recalled their professional memories with him. Phuong Hong Thuy also expressed regret and recalled the time she once stood on the same stage with the male artist.
Phuong Hong Thuy's real name is Dinh Hong Dao, born in 1960. At the end of the 1980s, she was the main actress of the Dong Nai Cai Luong Troupe. In 1990, she returned to the Kien Giang People's Troupe and formed a duet pair loved by audiences in the Mekong Delta with artist Trong Huu. In 1996, she returned to Tran Huu Trang Cai Luong Theater and participated in many plays, including "The Actress Singing with Vu Linh". In 2006, she was awarded the title of Meritorious Artist.
Vu Linh's real name is Vo Van Ngoan, born in 1958. From a young age, he studied ca co with artists such as Van Vi and then continued to learn from Minh To, Thanh Tong to perfect his classical opera performance skills. In 1981, he began to appear on the stage of major cải lương troupes and gradually became one of the prominent main actors of the Southern cải lương stage, associated with many famous co-stars such as Tai Linh, Ngoc Huyen and Phuong Hong Thuy.
