Meritorious Artist Chieu Xuan: Sometimes when I look at old photos, I can't believe I used to be so beautiful.

Meritorious Artist Chieu Xuan (far right) in the film "My Mother-in-law" by director - People's Artist Khai Hung. Photo: VFC

Actress - Meritorious Artist Chieu Xuan has now become a photography enthusiast. She has made many journeys to all parts of the country to capture and preserve the "soul-capturing" moments (Chieu Xuan's words).

The actress has many praised photos, such as the sunset in Mu Cang Chai, the incense making village in the suburbs of Hanoi, or the sunrise on top of O Quy Ho (Lao Cai)... Traveling everywhere, Chieu Xuan shared that she loves her country, is proud of the Vietnamese landscape, and misses it wherever she goes.

The days when Chieu Xuan was a screen beauty are long gone. She was loved for her gentle village girl roles with a simple, rustic beauty that didn't need makeup. In recent years, Chieu Xuan has acted in fewer films.

Recalling her golden past, Chieu Xuan said: “That was my golden age. No one can fight against time, so I just want to live an interesting and memorable life. Sometimes when I watch the movies I acted in back then, I like them, but sometimes I don’t want to watch them again. I am surprised because I don’t think there was a time when I was so beautiful.”

Meritorious Artist Chieu Xuan lies on a street to take photos. Photo: Character provided

Looking back at that youthful time, Chieu Xuan shared: “I regret it but there is nothing I can do. I am very proud because I lived a youth that was not wasted. I used my ability and beauty to beautify the stories, films and lives of many others. There are many young people who still know the films I acted in. They asked to take pictures with me and said that their mothers loved me very much. I think there is no greater reward than that affection.”

At this age, Meritorious Artist Chieu Xuan is already a grandmother. She maintains her health and stamina to continue her photo-hunting trips. “I have the support of my husband, children and grandchildren. I am afraid that if I travel too much, my grandchildren will no longer remember their grandmother (laughs). When the epidemic broke out, I was far away from my grandchildren, I missed them so much, I cried because I could not arrange to see them. But my grandchildren all love their grandmother, when I come they are happy, when I leave they cry because they miss me” – Chieu Xuan said that when she travels too much, she is only worried that her grandchildren will not remember her.

During Tet holidays, Meritorious Artist Chieu Xuan also carries her camera around the streets of Hanoi to capture moments that are most memorable for Tet, with the flavor of Spring, and the imprint of Hanoi on Tet.

Meritorious Artist Chieu Xuan. Photo: Provided by the character

“The peach blossom village, the kumquat village, the banh chung wrapping village, the atmosphere of the ladies selling sticky rice on the afternoon of the 30th... are all full of the flavor of Tet. I loved taking photos on those days. I saw in the flavor of banh chung, in the color of peach blossoms, in the ripe kumquat trees... Tet. Hanoi streets have their own unique flavor of Tet... I love the scenery and people of Vietnam so much that I want to capture all the breath of life, the breath of humanity, the movement of time, the scenery and the occasions of Tet and holidays. Each photo is the condensation of a memorable moment” – Chieu Xuan said.

The best thing for the actress is to accompany her husband - musician Do Hong Quan on photo shoots. Their marriage has lasted through the ups and downs and changes of time.

Talking about her marriage with musician Do Hong Quan, Meritorious Artist Chieu Xuan could not hide her satisfaction: “The most important thing is to know how to love, respect, and care for each other. Since we were young, we have lived together very peacefully. The older we get, the more we need each other. Mr. Quan is a busy musician with many things to do. I don't know much, but I am always ready to help, share, and accompany him. I feel happy and honored to be with my husband. My life is balanced and requires effort over time.”

Some photos of actress Chieu Xuan. Photo: Provided by the character

In the new year 2023, Meritorious Artist Chieu Xuan hopes to have more journeys across the country, from high mountains to deep seas, to capture more valuable moments about the people and landscapes of her homeland and country.