The youthful appearances of three famous actors from the 1990s.

Recently, alumni from the first graduating class of the School of Performing Arts 2 (now the Ho Chi Minh City University of Theatre and Film) held a warm reunion 30 years after graduation. Besides lively conversations and joyful memories from their time studying and working in the arts, the famous artists of the 1990s also fondly recalled friends who have passed away, preventing them from reuniting with their friends and colleagues on this occasion. These included the late actors Le Cong Tuan Anh, Don Duong, and Nguyen Huynh.

Director and photographer Doan Minh Tuan still keeps photographs of Le Cong Tuan Anh, Don Duong, and Nguyen Huynh that he took with a film camera nearly three decades ago. On this occasion, he shared these old photos with readers and, along with some artists, reminisced about the three talented but ill-fated actors.

Le Cong Tuan Anh, with his gentle, scholarly appearance, is reminiscent of his role as Quang 'Don Quixote' in the film 'The Bitter Taste of Love'.

Director and photographer Doan Minh Tuan recounted: "Le Cong Tuan Anh lived wholeheartedly, ready to sacrifice himself for his friends. He always cared for and worried about his friends as if they were his own family. Le Cong was very affectionate and sincere, so he was always loved and respected by everyone. Even so, he always felt lonely. Once, while filming with Le Cong in Da Lat, I noticed that after a pleasant dinner with everyone, Le Cong sat alone and cried. Normally, he looked very cheerful, but deep down, he seemed to always carry a feeling of loneliness that he couldn't escape."

Le Cong Tuan Anh during a music video shoot for Young Film Studio, with actress Dieu Ai.

Actor Cao Viet Hung, a former student of the first graduating class of the Stage Arts School 2, along with Mong Van, Diem Huong, Ly Hung, and others, recalled: "Le Cong Tuan Anh wasn't in the same class, but he was very close to us. We called him Le Cong affectionately and to distinguish him from Le Tuan Anh in my class. I once acted alongside Le Cong in the film 'The Bitter Taste of Love' directed by Xuan Hoang. At that time, Le Cong, a student of the Kim Cuong theater troupe, transitioned into film effortlessly and naturally. He wasn't very tall, but he had a handsome, gentle, square face, and deep, moist eyes that captivated many female audiences at the time. He was very talented, acting in many films both in the South and the North, and co-starring with famous female stars of that era. Le Cong was truly the type of person who, 'even though he wasn't tall, everyone had to look up to him.' Even after becoming famous, Le Cong remained very simple and sociable. Anyone who met Le Cong once would never forget his warm, deep voice."

The film 'The Bitter Taste of Love' opens with the sound of an ambulance siren, and a few years later, we were also shocked to see our friend being taken away in an ambulance with the same heart-wrenching siren. After 30 years, we reunited, and the memories we have of Le Cong are of a beautiful friendship and a deep, bitter sorrow in our hearts.

Le Cong Tuan Anh (wearing glasses) with friends such as Doan Minh Tuan, Miss Thanh Xuan, Huu Nghia...

In the memory of director Doan Minh Tuan, the late actorDon DuongHe is a cheerful and charming man. 'He is an older generation actor. It's hard to find anyone who can replace the image of a leading man on screen like him. The characters he has played are always very masculine, modern, and have a touch of romanticism.'

Meritorious Artist Ngoc Hiep, who acted in the film 'The Mark of the Devil' with Don Duong, said: 'Acting with Don Duong, I felt he was very approachable, natural, and genuine. Besides 'The Mark of the Devil,' I also acted in the film 'In the Middle of the Stream' with him. We worked together seamlessly. He was excellent at manipulating emotions with his co-stars; it's hard to find someone like him. He made the character truly come alive, not like an actor just performing.'

Don Duong looks rugged and weathered in this photo taken by Doan Minh Tuan three decades ago.

"I'm the only one left of the lead actor in the film 'The Mark of the Devil'... Both Le Cung Bac and Don Duong have passed away. Now, if I want to visit them, I have to go to the church, where their ashes are kept, to be able to talk and share my thoughts with them," Ngoc Hiep said.

late actorNguyen HuynhShe was a classmate and worked alongside Ly Hung, Le Cong Tuan Anh, Diem Huong, Mong Van, Le Tuan Anh, and others...

He has acted in over 30 films, including: 'Love in the Serpent's Life', 'Do You Still Remember or Have You Forgotten', 'Night of Love', 'The Taxi Driver', 'The Stubborn Schoolgirl', 'Farewell to the Past', 'The Shore of Aspiration', 'The Sunset Train', 'The Land of Happiness', 'The Tea Rose'...

In the eyes of his friends, Nguyen Huynh was a gentle, affectionate person who always cared for, listened to, and was considerate of others.

Actor Vo The Vy, a classmate of Nguyen Huynh, recalled: "Nguyen Huynh was very charming and considerate. I never saw him raise his voice or be harsh with anyone."

Actor Cao Viet Hung recounted: "Huynh was born into a poor family, no one in his family was involved in the arts, but Huynh was one of the heartthrobs of my class at that time. He had an ideal height of 1.84 m, a gentle face that easily captivated those around him, the perfect image of a leading man. In my third year of university, Nguyen Huynh and I acted together in the film 'Luc Van Tien, Kieu Nguyet Nga' directed by Khuong Me. Huynh played Vuong Tu Truc, Ly Hung played Luc Van Tien, Diem Huong played Kieu Nguyet Nga, Ngoc Hiep played Kim Lien, Mong Van played the Goddess of Mercy, and I played the young boy. After that film, Huynh was continuously invited to play leading roles in many other films."

Now, when I think of him, I always picture a romantic, talented, gentle, and emotional actor who was wholeheartedly devoted to his friends. Because he was such an emotional person, later in life, Huynh encountered many pitfalls but couldn't overcome them. Our whole class cried and laughed with him, and we all pitched in to help him… But in the end, we couldn't hold Nguyen Huynh's hand and walk with him to where we are today…'

Nguyen Huynh (far left) pictured with Doan Minh Tuan, Ngoc Hiep, Minh Huyen, and The Phuong.