Bach Lan Thanh remembers Tham Thuy Hang: a close sister on the artistic path

Artist Bach Lan Thanh remembers the nights taking turns standing on the Bong Hong stage, and the conversations about beauty with the late actress Tham Thuy Hang.

On the fourth anniversary of Tham Thuy Hang's death, at the reunion of colleagues in Ho Chi Minh City, artist Bach Lan Thanh recalled unforgettable memories with the late star. To Bach Lan Thanh, Tham Thuy Hang is not only a famous name in Vietnamese cinema but also a close sister who has been close to her throughout her career, a talented, generous and loyal woman.

The two actors' houses are near each other on Cach Mang Thang Tam Street (HCMC). Bach Lan Thanh remembers that every time she went to film, perform a play or attend an event, Tham Thuy Hang would proactively call her to invite her. "Her husband's car often takes us to the film set or stage. There are times when we go from morning to night, then return together," the artist said.

In Bach Lan Thanh's eyes, the late artist was someone who was always passionate about beauty and taking care of her appearance. Every time she finds a lipstick that suits her, a cosmetic product or a wig that suits her eyes, she is excited to share it with her juniors. "She even invited me to go 'slapping' together, but I didn't dare to go along. Whatever my parents were, let it be," she recalled with a laugh.

Bach Lan Thanh said that her seniors were sociable, had a straightforward and open personality, and never calculated or manipulated colleagues. One of her unforgettable impressions was the time they both worked together at the Bong Hong troupe: "The two sisters were cast in the main role, and when she stopped, I acted in her place, taking turns like that, which was fun and warm."

Being able to stand on the same stage with top stars at that time was a great happiness for Bach Lan Thanh. What she appreciates most is Tham Thuy Hang's simplicity and distance: always encouraging, instructing, and wholeheartedly supporting her juniors to develop their abilities.

That love goes beyond the stage. Bach Lan Thanh emotionally recalled her wedding day with designer Huu Dung, Tham Thuy Hang came to celebrate. It is a memory she always cherishes as a beautiful testament to the sincere love of an artist. "Those memories are still intact in me," said artist Bach Lan Thanh.

Tham Thuy Hang was born in 1939, passed away at her home on September 6, 2022. She became famous at the age of 18 with her first role as Tam Nuong in the movie Binh Duong Beauty (an ancient Chinese place) - released in 1957 by director Nguyen Thanh Chau (aka People's Artist Nam Chau). As soon as the work premiered on the big screen, she was immediately sought after because of her beautiful beauty. The press at that time praised Tham Thuy Hang's rare beauty with her big round eyes, slim nose bridge, heart-shaped lips, and slim waist. The film's name also became a nickname that stuck with her throughout her professional life.

After Binh Duong Beauty, she continued to make a splash with the work Nguu Lang - Chuc Nu. The scene where Chuc Nu flies back to heaven amidst the mysterious fog, the elegant singing in the musical scene Chuc Nu returns to heaven (composed by Pham Duy) left a mark on the hearts of many contemporary audiences.

In the early 1960s, she was the most sought-after beauty. The Tham Thuy Hang theater group was founded by her, as the director and screenwriter, on par with the top troupes in Saigon at that time such as Kim Cuong and Mong Tuyen. Her series of roles in the plays The Old Mother, Stream of Love, Porcelain Eyes created charisma, cementing her reputation in the field of theater. For a long time, Tham Thuy Hang was the most popular face in spring newspapers. The early 1970s marked the peak of the star's career. In 1972 - 1974, she was continuously awarded Asian Outstanding Actress awards at the Taipei Film Festival (Taiwan), and Asian Miss Photo Award at the Asian Film Festival held in Hong Kong. After 1975, with her last role - Phon Y in the play Loi Vu on the stage of the Diamond troupe, Tham Thuy Hang retired from art to return to a secluded life with her family. In her late years, she became a lay monk and studied Zen while living at her home in Thanh Da area (Binh Thanh district).

Bach Lan Thanh was born in 1945, soon showed her talent and had the opportunity to appear on stage from music to drama, gradually becoming a familiar face to the public. In the field of drama, she has played more than 20 roles in plays such as Yen in the Dark and The Guilty Mother. Besides the stage, the artist also ventured into cinema, collaborating with many big names of the Southern screen. Prominent among them are the times she co-starred with star Tham Thuy Hang through the works Anniversary Afternoon, Waves of Love, Like Falling Raindrops, Mysterious Eyes, Thread of Love.

After 1975, she continued to contribute to cinema by participating in a number of films, notably The Last Sin by director Tran Phuong and joining the Bong Hong Doan. She and Tham Thuy Hang took turns taking on the female lead role in a series of popular plays such as For Love in the Future, A Pair of Earrings, White Thorn Myrtle Flower, The Girl Sitting on the Broken Tree, The Girl Driving the Car and the Ancient Vase, Not Just a Dream.

In 1980, she married designer Huu Dung and left the screen to work in fashion. At the age of 81, she lives quietly, spends time with her family and maintains her passion for design.