Cai luong artist Thanh Tong passed away

The veteran face of the stage passed away on the morning of September 22 at his home in Ho Chi Minh City, at the age of 68.

Artist Thanh Tong passed away due to old age and illness.The artist's funeral will take place from 9pm on September 22 at his private home in Binh Chanh district, Ho Chi Minh City. The funeral will take place at 6:15am on September 24. After that, the coffin will be taken to Go Den Cemetery (Ben Luc district, Long An province).

Meritorious Artist Que Tran - Thanh Tong's daughter - confirmed that her father passed away at home due to old age.

Artist Thanh Tong was born in 1948 in Saigon. He is the fourth generation descendant in a family that has had six generations of famous traditional opera singers in the South. Thanh Tong's grandfather is Mr. Thang, and his father is artist Minh To. Famous names such as: Bach Le, Bach Luu, Bach Ly, Bach Long, Thanh Loc, director Phuong Hoang... are his cousins. And young actors such as: Tu Suong, Trinh Trinh, Thanh Thao... are his grandchildren.

Since childhood, Thanh Tong was taught by his father how to transform into many types of roles: literary, martial, flattering, old, poisonous, smelly, female... to train himself to become a versatile artist later. At the age of 10, he played the role of Lu Bu in the Minh To Children's Troupe with artists: Xuan Yen, Thanh Phuong, Kim Hoang (artist Bo Bo Hoang today). Saigon journalists at that time gave Thanh Tong the title of "stage prodigy".

At the age of 14, Thanh Tong studied classical music and classical excerpts. At the age of 20, he joined the Minh To troupe and became the scriptwriter of many plays such as: Under the Tay Son flag, The sword and the female general, Wind blowing at Binh Than wharf and his artistic path began from here. He staged the play Bao Cong goes to the brick kiln to investigate Quach Hoe on the Khanh Hong - Minh To stage as a start for his future directing career.

He left a deep impression on the audience with many multi-personality roles. In 1968, the press at that time named him "King of Cantonese Cai Luong". His plays Pham Lai - Tay Thi, Vo Tong Sat Tau were loved by the audience...

In 2007, Thanh Tong was awarded the title of People's Artist.

People's Artist Thanh Tong is also the teacher of many cai luong artists such as: Kim Tu Long, Thoai My, Tu Suong...

According to VNE