Photographer Doan Minh Tuan announced the reunion of the first graduating class of the Ho Chi Minh City University of Cinematography and Theater (formerly Ho Chi Minh City Film University) on 19/11. After nearly 30 years away from the screen, Diem Huong was emotional meeting old friends like Thanh Huyen, Van Anh, and Ngoc Hiep.

From left: actress Diem Huong, Mong Van, photographer Doan Minh Tuan. Photo: Contributed by subject

The artists spent time reminiscing about their early careers. Doan Minh Tuan recalled that in the late 1980s, Diem Huong's name soared after starring in the film *Pham Cong - Cuc Hoa*. As a student, she gained fame within the school due to her early success in acting. At that time, the photographer was close friends with Diem Huong and Mong Van, having taken many calendar photos for the two beauties.

During the gathering, Doan Minh Tuan was struck by Diem Huong's largely unchanged appearance, her gentle, distinctly Asian beauty remaining as it was. With her children grown, studying and working in the US, she returns to Vietnam more often. The former actress finds her life fulfilling and has no plans to return to cinema, stating she "knows when to stop".

According to the photographer, his class had about 18 people. After more than 30 years, each lives in a different place and works in a different profession, making large reunions rare. Besides Diem Huong, Thieu Anh Duong — once famous for the television series *Nhung neo duong phu sa* — also left acting and now works in banking. The artists regretted the absence of many close friends, as Ly Hung was traveling in Singapore and Le Tuan Anh was enjoying time with his children and grandchildren in the US.

Actress Thieu Anh Duong (center) with Diem Huong and Thanh Huyen (left). Photo: Contributed by subject

Diem Huong, 55, began her career in her twenties. She quickly gained recognition through her early supporting roles in *Con gai ong Thu truong* and *Tinh xa*, attracting the attention of many prominent directors of the time. The pairing of Ly Hung and Diem Huong rose to fame with *Pham Cong - Cuc Hoa*, directed by Luu Bach Dan and released in 1989. The film, an adaptation of a story with the same name, revolves around the transcendent love story of husband and wife Pham Cong and Cuc Hoa, played by Ly Hung and Diem Huong.

Diem Huong's beauty from her era. Photo: Hoang Truong

The work launched Diem Huong's film career with a series of leading roles in *Kieu Nguyet Nga* and *Tam Cam*. In the 1990s, she was also a calendar beauty alongside other stars like Viet Trinh and Y Phung. In 1993, Ly Hung and Diem Huong co-starred again in director Ly Son's film *Nuoc mat hoc tro*. The film explores the joys and sorrows of student life and the different paths they take after leaving school. Following success with a string of popular films, Diem Huong married, had children, moved abroad, and retired from the arts.

Mai Nhat