The family of deceased director Huynh Phuc Dien will give 10 wheelchairs, bought with tribute money given at his funeral to Cho Ray Hospital, where he spent his last days before dying last month at 39. Dien’s family said the total money received at his funeral from July 1-3 was worth some US$18,500. Apart from the wheelchairs, the rest of the money will be donated to support cancer treatment at the Ho Chi Minh City hospital. The family is in talks with Cho Ray management to decide the best use for the funds. Dien died on June 30 after a long battle with liver cancer. He has proved himself a consistent and innovative director, designer and scriptwriter for nearly two decades, having directed many successful music performances and fashion shows throughout the country. Dien directed nine editions of the the Duyen Dang Viet Nam (Charming Vietnam) gala, organized by Thanh Nien newspaper. Vietnamese traditionally contribute money at funerals as a tribute and a way to express … [Read more...] about Late director’s family gives tribute money to cancer patients
Dying cancer
Cancer claims life of noted composer
Notable musician Huy Du, who was famous for his songs praising revolutionary heroism, died in Hanoi on Monday of cancer. He was 81. Known by the real name Nguyen Huy Du and pen name Huy Cam, he was born in 1926 in the northern province of Ha Bac, now known as Bac Ninh. As a child of growing up in the motherland of quan ho (love due) folk melodies, he revealed music talent early in life, playing the violin and bamboo flute. Huy Du joined the Viet Minh (the Viet Nam League for Independence) to seek independence from France as well as to oppose the Japanese occupation in 1945. Between 1956-62, he studied at the Beijing Music Institute and performed in the Military Art Ensemble. His famous songs from this period include Tinh Em (Your Love) (1962) and Be Van Dan Song Mai (Martyr Be Van Dan Lives Forever) (1963). During the American War, Du composed various songs praising nationalism, such as Anh Van Hanh Quan (He Still Marches), Noi Lua Len Em (Please Light the Cooker), Viet Nam Tren … [Read more...] about Cancer claims life of noted composer
Vietnamese-American actress died of cancer aged 46
Vietnamese-American actress died of cancer aged 46 Vietnamese-born actress Le Thi Hiep, who starred in the war-themed movie “Heaven & Earth” directed by Oliver Stone, died in Los Angeles, U.S. on December 19 at the age of 46 due to stomach cancer, local media reports. Born in 1971 in the central city of Danang, Hiep defeated thousands of candidates to become main actress in “Heaven & Earth”, the final movie of Oliver Stone when she was still a student majoring in psychology at the University of California. Following the success of the “Heaven & Earth” movie, the ill-fated Vietnamese actress went on to have roles in a series of films such as Cruel Intentions (1999), Green Dragon (2001) and National Security (2003). According to Deadline.com, an online magazine founded by Nikki Finke in 2006 to break up-to-the-minute entertainment, Hollywood and media news, Hiep is one of the first Asian actresses to make a public appearance in the American … [Read more...] about Vietnamese-American actress died of cancer aged 46
Comedian Trinh Mai dies at 76
Popular comedian Meritorious Artist Trinh Mai died on Tuesday of lung cancer. He was 76 years old. Make ’em laugh: Meritorious Artist Trinh Mai. He was famous for his successful roles in comedies such as Chat Xinh, Chat Chat Bum; So Do (Lucky Fate) and Thang Cuoi (Mr Cuoi). He worked first as a following his father-in-law, who was the owner of the noted Trinh Thai in Hang Bong Street, Hoan Kiem District, Ha Noi. During his time working as a shoe-maker for the Ha Noi Footwear Company, he played various roles in dramas entertaining the company’s workers, where he had chance to meet with drama directors Tran Hoat, Long Chuong and Ngoc Dinh.shoe shopshoe maker Director Tran Hoat encouraged him to take the entrance exam for the Ha Noi Drama Troupe. With small body, always-twinkling eyes, he impressed audiences with his unique style. His funeral will be organised tomorrow at the funeral house in Phung Hung Street. He then will be buried in his home town in Chuong My … [Read more...] about Comedian Trinh Mai dies at 76
Saigon woman finally granted visa to see dying father in US
A woman in Saigon has received a visa to visit her dying father in the U.S. after media reports prompted the U.S. government to grant her the document on the fifth attempt. Nguyen Thi My Linh arrived in the U.S. on Sunday, bringing fish sauce and other Vietnamese spices to give her father a final taste of home. Linh’s father, My Nguyen, migrated to the U.S. three years ago to live with his other daughter. The 69-year-old had planned to return to Vietnam, but was diagnosed with terminal cancer in June and doctors in California said he was no longer well enough to travel. Linh, 31, had four visa applications rejected before she was granted permission to visit her dying father. Despite presenting her land and house deeds, marriage certificate and a document regarding her father’s cremation in Vietnam, the U.S. Consulate did not believe that she would return to Vietnam after the visit due to the fact that she had applied for migration in 2010, a plan which was canceled after … [Read more...] about Saigon woman finally granted visa to see dying father in US