I hope young artists don't make the same mistake as me.

However, he hopes that young artists will look at his past mistakes and learn from them.

For the daughter, having a job is a joy.

Artist Thuong Tin: I hope young artists don't make the same mistakes as me.

Thuong Tin at a fundraising concert last April.

Artist Thuong Tin once revealed that his health is poor, these days he is busy singing and directing. Is this work frequency too much for him?

During this time, I felt my health getting worse, especially my legs. But for the sake of my daughter, I had to try my best. I was happy to have a job, and I would do my best to do it.

Luckily for me, at the end of my life when I was in trouble and sick, I was taken care of by musician To Hieu. Mr. Hieu took on shows for me to sing at parties, helped me earn extra income, and invested in films for me to direct. No more scenes of having a stroke and having to drive on the street to deliver goods, I consider myself very lucky.

Besides the time I spend singing at shows or visiting friends, I often stay at musician To Hieu's house to recuperate and go for acupuncture near my house.

Compared to the golden age, has your salary changed much?

In the past, salaries were not much, it was a subsidy period, it was not a market where stars could become rich! At that time, a film took 6 months to film and the salary was only one tael of gold, not as abundant as people thought, the more films you make, the poorer you become.

At that time, I was passionate and healthy so I was invited by directors to act in many films, the number of films I acted in was over 200. The films I participated in were lucky to leave an impression on the audience such as: "Saigon Special Forces", "Bach Hai Duong", "Love Song 68"... I was quite satisfied because I also made a small contribution to Vietnamese cinema.

However, I earned a lot of money from acting in Kim Cuong’s troupe. At that time, I was famous but my life was miserable. I was not beautiful but I had a photogenic face.

Many times when I go out, I am hungry but I still have to protect my image. It is harder for famous people to live than normal people. And now, after having suffered multiple strokes, I no longer have the strength, so it is very difficult.

Don't be sad because of the end of time

Artist Thuong Tin: I hope young artists don't make the same mistakes as me 2

Artist Thuong Tin.

Have you ever felt sad when you went from being a movie star to now having to sing at parties, struggling to make a living at the age of nearly 70?

I admit that I am out of date. Everyone has a time, not just artists. When my time is over, it is inevitable. Understanding that, I have nothing to be sad about. When I think about the past and present, I only know to work hard at my art, and take things as they come.

People still love me so they invite me, but actually, I'm too old now, and I don't have the strength to pursue a flexible job like many young people. Having a job now is great, I also get to meet the audience, meet the people who love me.

I also think I don’t have many more opportunities because I know my health is weak. I live for the audience, not for anything else. I’m not a singer but I still sing my heart out, every time I want to appear as a greeting or even a goodbye to my beloved audience.

Do you regret or resent things in the past?

I have worked in many positions, voice acting, singing, directing… dedicating my whole life to art. My life has not been perfect, there have been many stumbles, many bad habits, wrongdoings, and also misunderstandings.

Sometimes, I want to speak up to correct myself, but then I think, perhaps if others truly love me, they will not misunderstand. But if they misunderstand, any explanation will become an excuse. So, I just try to live the rest of my days as happily as possible.

After all, I hope young artists see it as a lesson, not to make the same mistakes I have experienced. I am who I am now, it is all my fault, I do not blame anything. What has happened is past, I do not want to mention it anymore, now it is too late to regret, I now live as long as I can, like a candle in the wind.

Artist Thuong Tin: I hope young artists don't make the same mistakes as me 3

Young image of artist Thuong Tin.

After many life events, now he has found peace and happiness?

Being invited by the audience to sing at parties and earn extra income is my joy and happiness. I don’t know how long I have left to live, my health doesn’t allow it, so when I was asked to perform, I immediately accepted. Now, I live for the audience, not for anything else.

My joy now is when I can call and talk to my daughter. As for my life now, whether I am satisfied or not is the same. Now the economy is difficult everywhere, I only have shows once in a while, whatever money I have, I send back to take care of my children's education, but it is still lacking.

Seeing my daughter suffer, I could not bear it. I called her often to ask about her. She was young but very understanding. She advised me not to be sad, to try to overcome it. Every time I heard that, I felt a lot of comfort. My daughter is my source of life now.

Have you ever felt lonely and helpless?

No, I have two children, grandchildren, friends and audiences. My eldest son and his first wife have two daughters, 16 and 17 years old, so he has to take care of his family and cannot take care of me wholeheartedly. My father and I now see each other often. I do not feel lonely or isolated.

What is Thuong Tin's biggest wish at the age of U70?

At this age, I just hope to stay healthy, to work and earn money to take care of my children until they are adults.

Thank you!

Thuong Tin was born in 1956 and studied at the Saigon National School of Music and Drama. Initially, he joined the Cuu Long Giang Drama Troupe and then the Kim Cuong Troupe.

However, he became more known when he entered the film industry, making his mark in the works: "The Flip Card Game", "SBC", "Saigon Special Forces", "The Half Moon Battlefield"...

His film career was brilliant, his life was full of glamour and luxury, but gambling made him lose everything. At the age of 60, the artist married a young woman 32 years younger than him and they had a little daughter together.

In February 2021, Thuong Tin was hospitalized due to a stroke. After recovering, he worked as a shipper to make ends meet but later quit due to poor health.

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