Before April days of 1975, many political upheavals caused ensembles and theatres to close. As a results, we, actors and actresses, stopped performing. I, with all confusion, lived in a sensation of excitement for being a mother-to-be. All aspiration and searches had become hopeless, now suddenly budded within the jumbled time. Nevertheless, I remained tranquil. I waited for the most meaningful moment of my life, the utmost survival – not just for myself.
And the day 30/4/1975 came.
Both “I and my son” sat in the waiting room at Tan Son Nhat airport to “leave” through the diplomatic way (my husband was a French citizen at that time). A flash of thought arose, I was born to … perform fork opera, and my audience was here. My life was also here. I had a real life, a real society here. I had no understanding and knowledge about what would happen next … Then we both quietly retuned to our house on Dien Bien Phu.
A few months later, I welcomed my little boy with a great happiness.
***
Times and events, which we witness and experience, make us “grow-up” in thinking, in physical being, and in each decision making. I clearly remember a warm, kind but firm voice, a day after the city liberated … “you and other actresses Ngoc Giau, Le thuy, Kim Cuong … don’t worry, revolutionists will protect you, Vietnamese people need you …”
Up until 1979, after the glorious death of Artist Thanh Nga, in the heated impetus of those days, when the “old man” Sau Thao (a.k.a Mr. Duong Dinh Thao, head of propaganda and director of the service of communications) together with author Le Duy Hanh asked me to return to theatre, then I understood how I was “protected”; and how much I was needed to sing for my country, my people.
In the middle of the young city where the sound of guns had just stopped, among heals of personal and common interests, of loss and victory, I put on the dress of the Empress Dowager, majestically called upon an appeal from the heart of a patriot “I, standing here, saw a t-joint river/ Running through the mind and heart of Viet Nam’s history/ …Nation asks who is suitable to make the link/ To connect the pride between past – future/ For me to solemnly put on the king robe/ …The throne now has a king…” (Empress Dowager Duong Van Nga – Hoa Phuong). It was a sacred and glorious moment of an artist. Nothing more. Nothing different.
Therefore, Saigon – Ho Chi Minh City is not only my living space, but also the time and moment determining my life.
Saigon is my teacher. People Artist Phung Ha, People Artist Nam Chau taught me manners to work, to be a decent person.
Saigon is the big brother of artists. We listened and believed Mr. Sau Thao since his words and actions were from an honest heart, from a deep compassion, from an attitude and understanding of a communist.
Saigon is gallant, courteous, civilized, and sincere people. People of Saigon do charities all year round. Where there are floods, hail storms, accidents, everyone contributes. The rich contribute the wealthy way, and the poor also have their way. When New Year comes, the whole city becomes busy helping the poor at Saigon and everywhere …
From Saigon – Ho Chi Minh City, we spread out everywhere bringing our voices to audience in every region, crying and laughing with every character. Then after each trip, though the airplane was still in the middle of the air, the feeling about the city underneath was so close, so sweet, cozy and comfortable.
Suddenly, I remember I have never said two words “thank you” though my appreciation has always been heartedly present … to Saigon – Ho Chi Minh City, to the country.
People Artist Bach Tuyet – SGGP Newspaper (Special edition 30/4/2015)