Goodbye Artist Nursing Home, goodbye the unique nursing home in Vietnam

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City, visited and gave gifts to artist Mac Can on the occasion of the Lunar New Year at the Artist Nursing Home - Photo: LINH DOAN

The reason it is called "unique" is because only Ho Chi Minh City has an Artist Nursing Home, or fully called the Ho Chi Minh City Stage Artist Nursing Home.

Love of People's Artist Phung Ha

Ho Chi Minh City Artist Nursing Home was established around 1996 in District 8 from the wishes of People's Artist Phung Ha and senior artists.

Mrs. Phung Ha is respected by many generations of artists not only because she is good at her job and is a teacher who trains good artists, but also because of her concern for colleagues and society.

Many works in the city today dedicated to artists bear Phung Ha's mark, such as the Artists' Nursing Home, Artists' Pagoda, Artists' Cemetery...

The artist nursing home was formed because of the sincerity and empathy of this talented and dedicated artist.

She understood that when an artist gets old he has to face illness, poverty and sometimes loneliness.

The Institute is a place that takes care of old, sick, and disadvantaged stage artists.

People's Artist Kim Cuong is considered an excellent successor to the image of an artist who works tirelessly for the community and colleagues.

When working on the program Tri Am Artist to support poor and disadvantaged artists, Kim Cuong said she persevered because she understood the hardships of artists.

"In other professions, people go from bottom up, worker, team leader, manager to director.

As for artists, at the age of 16 or 17 they can become leading actresses, enjoying glory and wealth first, then gradually decline over time to become supporting actors, female actors, and old actors.

"What's left in the end? Old age, sickness and loneliness" - Kim Cuong said sadly.

Entrance gate to Ho Chi Minh City Artist Nursing Home (aka Stage Artist Nursing Home) - Photo: LINH DOAN

For nearly 30 years of existence, the Artists' Nursing Home has long been a place where many artists and philanthropists come to visit and give gifts.

There are many artists who consider this a must-visit place every year such as Le Thuy, Bach Tuyet, Bao Quoc, Trinh Kim Chi, artist Ly Huynh's family, singer My Tam, Dam Vinh Hung...

No Kim Cuong charity program for artists is complete without the name of the Artist Nursing Home.

Film crews also came to visit and give gifts. Artists, authors, directors... who passed away also wished to donate condolence money to nursing homes...

The late author Minh Khoa (famous for the play "Nguoi ven do") before passing away wished to use the money from his funeral to give to the artists at the Artists' Nursing Home. His family later visited and gave envelopes to the artists at the home - Photo: LINH DOAN

Nursing homes are beautiful memories in the minds of professionals. They are places where artists come to encourage those who have spent their youth in the spotlight, and where young people can express their gratitude and reflect on the profession and career they are pursuing.

New accommodation is a good choice

The Artists' Nursing Home, under the Artists' Association (under the Ho Chi Minh City Theater Association), despite many efforts, is facing many difficulties in maintaining its operations.

The facilities are degraded, although a few years ago artist Trinh Kim Chi (head of the department) mobilized social resources to repair them. The institute does not have the conditions for one person to take care of another, while the artists are old and have many illnesses.

Artists and philanthropists give gifts to artists at the Artists' Nursing Home on the handover day of the 2021 home renovation project - Photo: LINH DOAN

Ms. Thanh Thuy, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City, said that the City People's Committee is very concerned about the artists in the nursing home. Therefore, the department has actively coordinated with other departments to soon transfer the artists from the nursing home to the Thi Nghe Nursing Center for better care conditions.

The City People's Committee decided to move in December 2023, however, because the artist wanted to stay for the Lunar New Year, the artist officially moved to his "new home" on February 27.

Artist Kim Cuong said she knew the artists in the institute would be sad because "after decades of attachment, everyone would be sad when the institute leaves."

But the important thing is that in Thi Nghe, the accommodation is more spacious, with 24/7 medical care, much more peace of mind" - Ms. Kim Cuong said and she also bought 9 TVs to equip each artist's room.

According to the plan, the remaining 7 artists including Dieu Hien, Le Tham, Ngoc Dang, Hoa Tranh, Ngoc Be, Lam Son, and stage worker Dang Thi Xuan will move to a "new home".

Two artists, Mac Can and Huynh Thanh Tra, were also supported to enter Thi Nghe on this occasion. However, it was sad that artist Le Tham quietly passed away before Tet.

Artist Quang Khai (right cover) of the Vietnam Opera House, during his visit to Ho Chi Minh City, also came to give gifts and exchange cultural activities with artists in the institute - Photo: LINH DOAN

Perhaps the name Artist Nursing Home will fade into oblivion over time. There are controversies and regrets, but the current choice is the best for lonely, elderly artists.

According to Tuoi Tre's private information, recently artist Hoa Tranh asked to live with relatives instead of going to Thi Nghe Nursing Center.

Mr. Nguyen Trung, chief of office of the Ho Chi Minh City Theater Association, said the association respects her decision even though all procedures and preparations for artist Hoa Tranh have been completed.

Thus, there will be only five artists: Dieu Hien, Ngoc Dang, Ngoc Be, Lam Son, stage worker Dang Thi Xuan, Mac Can, and Huynh Thanh Tra returning to Thi Nghe on February 27.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tam-biet-vien-duong-lao-nghe-si-tam-biet-vien-duong-lao-doc-nhat-vo-nhi-viet-nam-2024022609135169.htm