Saigon, the raining season. 
From the living room of People’s Artist Bach Tuyet’s house, anyone could cool down and feel relaxed when looking at dancing rain drops on the leaves and the flowers. She smiled. I smiled. Then we both suddenly said “How beautiful!” while we were watching the goldfish swimming under the blossomed lotuses. Sometimes they jumped out of the water to catch crystal rain drops…
The sky of the wet season is unpredictable. It was happy minutes ago, but now turned grumpy. Early sun rays of the day, yet to touch yellow daisy flowers, were in a hurry to give their way to the cloud.
So does a human life. All ups and downs of life come and go. Despite how fast time flies, we all like to retain good and bad memories as our treasures.
Like everyone else, People’s Artist – PhD Bach Tuyet with a sensitive soul of an artist would be vulnerable to upheavals in her life. She said “Problems and difficulties actually encourage one to become stronger, to recognize one’s strengths and weaknesses so that one can overcome oneself. Everyone calls me Cai Luong Chi Bao, one of the precious gems of cai luong.” It seems to me that in recognition of adoration the audience bestowed on her, she is always bound by strict rules of her profession. She and her colleagues have been preserving “the quintessence of cai luong” which they love and have devoted for their entire life… 
Dear People’s Artist – PhD Bach Tuyet, our newspapers had temporarily stopped publishing for a short period of time. San Khau newspapers returns today and continues to serve audiences, readers, and artists. Can you say a few words about this good news?
I am very happy and excited because the San Khau newspapers is the connection between the public and the artists. It is the city’s only media that timely updates activities of artists, discovers new things and valuable creativity of many generations of artists. It helps “to pass the torch” and builds the trust, passion and understanding among people who love and enjoy their work at all costs.
Can you please tell about your activities in the past few months?
(Laughed) I did what I have been doing for many years.
You participated in the judge panel for game shows that are highly professional, such as Tai Tu Tranh Tai (contest of the armatures), Danh Hai Dat Viet (Vietnamese famous comic artists), and recently Sao Noi Ngoi (inherent stars). What made you accept the invitation from these shows?
Yes, I had some new activities like sitting in the judge panel in a few game shows that were conducted professionally and highly embraced cai luong. One, it is because I was well received and nurtured by cai luong. Two, the shows somewhat introduce and promote talented young artists who love and give it all to the art, especially to the traditional art. Three, the organizers put a lot of effort and take responsibilities in constructing elegant and attractive stages that preserve the moral value of cai luong traditionally as well as contemporarily in the age of globalization … Through these shows, we should be happy and have lots of hope in young artists, the next generation of cai luong in particular and of other types of art in general. 
But it is also heartbroken for many talented young artists who don’t have opportunities to practice. Would you feel bad for them?
I always wish there would be many more beautiful and useful shows that provide chances for our talented young artists to improve their skills as well as contribute great performances to audience.
What do you think about young artists who choose cai luong as their professional career? Many young artists talk humbly that they have a lot to learn, but think and act conceitedly. As a teacher, what three advice would you give them?
I love them and understand them (because I used to be as young as them) when they have to “endeavor” in a time that everything is so convenient, but also strenuous and complicated as we are facing now. Sometimes they are confused between self-confidence and self-importance. But no problem. Who does not go through his or her life without a fall. Only after the fall, we stand up and move on, then we will realize it and become better. Let’s sincerely love each other, understand each other from the bottom of our hearts, then everything can be resolved. 
Recently there are some comedies that smear good repute of classic cai luong plays. Many actors, playwrights, journalists and audiences are very upset and raise their voice to protect cai luong. Could you please share your thoughts about this matter?
Through newspapers, the people themselves would realize it, and of course, will choose what’s best for them. I don’t have a habit of criticizing, underrating, or speaking scornfully of anyone. One has many reasons for what needs to be done and what does not. Let’s sympathize and respect each other.
In your opinion, to guard classic cai luong plays and “golden” roles of many generations in the past, what is the best way we need to do beside “conscience, responsibility, and morals” of an artist?
If a play has become classic, or if a “golden” role has persuaded audiences’ hearts, then even sometimes things go “out of order”, they still cannot “crack” a tiny bit the true value of the play or the role. We don’t have to worry about it. Moreover, we all, from birth to departing this world, have gone through days and nights, rights and wrongs, and many ups and downs of life. If a person unexpectedly gets “stuck” in a miserable and distressed situation, he or she would easily become insane and make mistakes for a moment!!! “Conscience, responsibility, and morals” I am sorry, everyone has them. When the whirlwind is over, the wisdom and serenity comes back, then grief and repentance will rise. That feeling is more terrible and unbearable than any punishment or condemnation from other people.
I always remember the words from a good friend who had gone a long time ago. He was a talented director with a wonderful personality, named Nguyen Dinh Nghi. He said “All of us have only one life to live. Let’s try to live as a Bodhisattva or an angel so that we can open our arms to help someone to stand up. Don’t be a devil who always waits to thrust someone into a hole.” He even told me a funny example “if Bach Tuyet know someone who says he or she is the best, then leave it to me! Bach Tuyet better save them by calling an ambulance to take them to a hospital, because they do not know that they are really sick to seek help!”
In short, we’ve heard the following sentence tons of times and forgot the meaning of it “The world is imperfect.” Therefore, if we don’t ask for everything to be perfect the way we want, then our life and other people’s lives would be easier. In the 1990’s, I wrote a song which said “The world would not be old, but we will never be young forever. Dear friend! Let’s walk through this life with a pair of a swan’s wings. And my dear friend! Let’s leave behind this world the laughter of children. Ha ha! A smile clears a resentment!” 
Recently I’ve read “The Theory of Everything”, written by Professor Stephen Hawking who is the greatest cosmologist and physicist of the 21st century. He is a Director of Research at the Centre for Theoretical Cosmology in the University of Cambridge. His famous book, “Brief History of Time”, explains advanced theories about the universe such as the Big Bang and black holes in such a way that it is readable and understandable by everyone. I like a sentence from his book “There is no limitation to anyone nor to humanity. Human has abilities to change everything when we alive. We are all different. It is the reason that human adapt and survive in the past, today and forever.” He said “One has to get on with life and I haven’t done badly. People won’t have time for you if you are always angry or complaining.”
Back to the question you asked me, we can easily realize that “… There’s no limitation for compassion, understanding, and forgiveness”. They are the most wonderful natures of human beings.
I left Artist Bach Tuyet’s house in a buoyant mood. Interesting! It doesn’t matter how time passes, she always looks young. She is always active and fresh in her life and in art. She is full of enthusiasm and passion. Thank you so much People’s Artist – PhD Bach Tuyet for this opportunity. Wishing you good health, tranquility and continue to bring happiness and good things to audience from your singing voice and performances.
Duong Hac Lam – Picture: Minh Hoang – San Khau newspapers (11/07/2016)