In early October, Tuyet Thu returned to the big screen, appearing in two consecutive films: Len Huong and Trai Buon Nguoi. Her husband encourages and understands the challenges of her work. When she is away for days filming, he often calls to check on her, concerned about her health and the demands of the set.

Actress Tuyet Thu with her husband. Photo: Provided by subject

Tuyet Thu's husband previously worked in the police force before transitioning to the hotel business. The actress credits her husband's support for her comfortable career. He manages the family's finances, allowing her to focus on acting without ever inquiring about her income. Not skilled in financial management, Tuyet Thu often saves her earnings in a piggy bank, occasionally withdrawing funds for charity or giving pocket money to her children.

Sharing a passion for film and theater, her husband often offers Tuyet Thu feedback from an audience perspective, such as her portrayal of a character or dialogue delivery. His advice is often accurate regarding both the professional aspects and the thematic content of the work, providing additional insights for Tuyet Thu to deepen her roles.

The couple met in the 1990s. He had many connections in the arts community. At that time, she had just joined the 5B Vo Van Tan theater, while he was close friends with artists Viet Anh, Hong Van, and Le Vu Cau. Their colleagues played matchmakers after inviting him to watch her plays a few times. After late-night performances, the artists often gathered for meals. "Everyone set us up, and we've been inseparable ever since," Tuyet Thu said with a smile.

After 25 years together, Tuyet Thu believes trust is key to their enduring marriage. Her husband is a man of few words, rarely expressing affection verbally. However, through his gestures and actions, the actress knows he always dedicates his best to his wife and children.

The couple chooses to yield and "turn down the heat" during daily arguments. Sometimes, when his wife is upset, Tuyet Thu's husband quietly steps back, allowing them both to calm down. One or two days later, he finds an excuse to talk and reconcile, gently coaxing his wife with phrases like, "I only said that because I care about you."

Tuyet Thu and her husband with their two children. Photo: Provided by subject

The "sweet fruit" of Tuyet Thu's marriage is their two well-behaved, talented, and independent children. She closely monitors their education and daily lives, understanding their strengths and weaknesses to provide timely guidance. The actress is happy that her children showed early artistic talent. Her 20-year-old daughter is currently studying acting at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles, US. Initially, her husband did not encourage their daughter to pursue acting due to the demanding nature of the profession, preferring her to enter business. However, Tuyet Thu supported her, knowing it was her daughter's passion since childhood. "I am happy because my daughter seems more talented than me; she wants to return to Vietnam to work closer to our family," she said.

Often starring in romantic-family dramas, Tuyet Thu incorporates some of her experiences as a mother into her roles for a natural portrayal. In Len Huong, she plays Lan, a mother suffering from a serious illness who gives unconditional love to her son Tam (played by Vo Tan Phat). When her children learned their mother was invited to star in a new film directed by Khuong Ngoc, they immediately encouraged her to accept the role, as they admired his previous works.

Upon receiving the script, she was excited because the character shared similarities with how she talks to her children at home. In real life, Tuyet Thu often confides in her two children. When Bo, her eldest son, entered adolescence, she would often whisper and tease him about whether he had a crush on anyone in class yet.

Compared to Tuyet Thu's previous roles, Mrs. Lan has many complex internal scenes. The actress praises Khuong Ngoc's working style, noting he always creates a relaxed atmosphere for actors. Before filming, the director invited her to a coffee shop to discuss the script, helping her understand the story and delve into the character's personality. On set, he avoids forcing actors, instead gently inspiring them to feel comfortable.

"After three decades in the profession, I now only wish to work with suitable crews and deeply meaningful scripts, regardless of whether the role is lead or supporting," Tuyet Thu stated.

Tuyet Thu's portrayal as Mrs. Lan in the film "Len Huong". Photo: Film crew provided

Meritorious Artist Tuyet Thu, 55 years old, full name Lieu Thi Tuyet Thu, was born in TP HCM. After graduating from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Theater and Cinema, her dancing talent led artist Thai Ly to recruit her as a dancer, after which she joined the dance group of the Ho Chi Minh City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera. In 2002, Tuyet Thu made her mark with the role of Dr. Oanh in the film Blouse Trang, directed by My Ha and produced by TFS.

For many years, she has been a familiar face on southern Vietnam's small screen. In 2008, she won the Best Stage Actress award for her work Doi Bo. In recent years, Tuyet Thu has been active in many feature films, including Nu Hon Bac Ty, Lat Mat 8 - Vong Tay Nang, Ai Thuong Ai Men, Len Huong, and Trai Buon Nguoi. In addition to acting, she also serves as Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh City Stage Artists Association.

Mai Nhat