After decades in retirement, she participated in an event honoring the Kim Cuong theater genre, organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Stage Artists Association. The veteran artist performed the final segment, portraying Ba Dieu, a mother from the countryside visiting her son, Sang (played by Truong Ha), in the city.

Educated by his mother to become successful, Sang falls in love with a millionaire's daughter. Ashamed of his humble background, he lies to his girlfriend's family, claiming his parents are deceased. To appease her son, Ba Dieu reluctantly pretends to be his nanny from childhood. Huu Chau played Cau Nam, a role he first took over 40 years ago when he joined the Kim Cuong theater troupe.

Kim Cuong received applause from the audience as she emerged from the wings. Despite her frail health, and hesitating at times while recalling her lines, she managed to complete the approximately 20-minute performance. In the scene where Ba Dieu asks her son to cook him one last meal before returning to the countryside, the actress portrayed the mother's pain, saying: "When you were little, I only gave you a packet of cakes, a packet of candies, and you followed me all day. Now, I give you my whole life, but why won't you accept it, Sang?" Many audience members teared up upon hearing one of the play's most famous lines.

During the interaction segment, Kim Cuong expressed her emotion, stating it had been a long time since she could "immerse herself in this loving atmosphere." Before the performance, the artist experienced a health setback, at times barely able to speak. Yet, she persevered, thinking of her colleagues and admirers awaiting her return. "This is the happiest day of my life," she said.

Artist Kim Cuong expressed gratitude to the audience and embraced Thanh Loc upon reuniting at the event. *Video: Mai Nhat*

Kim Cuong authored "Durian Leaf" in 1963, using the pen name Hoang Dung due to her lack of confidence in her playwriting skills. Set in the early 20th century, the play tells the story of Dieu, a poor mother who earns a living by foraging for shellfish to raise her son, Sang. After over 50 years of public performance, the work became the most popular play of her namesake theater troupe. In the 1970s and 1980s, she and her troupe frequently toured provinces, performing for tens of thousands of spectators, many of whom were deeply moved by the character's pain.

Later, many organizations offered to acquire rights for new productions, but Kim Cuong consistently refused. She stated, "I have nearly 100 scripts; they can take any play they wish, but please don't touch 'Durian Leaf'. Someone might perform my role of Dieu better, but no one could portray the role of Ba Tu as my mother did."

Excerpt from "Durian Leaf" - artist Kim Cuong starring with actors Truong Ha and Dan Tuyen. *Video: Mai Nhat*

In the book "Mother on Kim Cuong's Stage," Professor Hoang Nhu Mai assessed the Kim Cuong theater genre, including the play "Durian Leaf," as representative of Southern Vietnamese spoken drama, stating it "holds a unique position in this art form." He remarked, "From a humanitarian perspective, Kim Cuong's plays have excellently fulfilled their function and mission, creating all the values a play should achieve, especially those on the theme of motherhood." In 2025, the play was selected by Ho Chi Minh City as one of the 10 outstanding theatrical works, commemorating the 50th anniversary of national reunification.

Artist Kim Cuong with director Ngoc Giau (left), President of the Ho Chi Minh City Stage Artists Association, director Thanh Hiep (right), the program director, and the cast of the "Durian Leaf" excerpt at the rehearsal on 4/2. *Photo: Supplied*

Artist Kim Cuong is dubbed "the legend" in Vietnamese theater, and the Vietnam Book of Records Center honored her as the "Artist who has written the most spoken drama scripts in Vietnam." She is renowned for plays such as: "Durian Leaf," "Under Two Uniforms," and "The Lady of the Camellias." Beyond her acting achievements, Kim Cuong is also known for her charitable work. For many years, she organized the "Grateful Artists" event to raise funds to assist impoverished actors, musicians, and scriptwriters.

In 2025, she was honored as one of 60 individuals who contributed to Ho Chi Minh City's development over the past 50 years. In the cultural sector, she was the only female artist recognized, alongside musicians Xuan Hong and Trinh Cong Son.

Audiences cried while watching artists Bay Nam and Kim Cuong perform "Durian Leaf" in 1998. *Video: HTV*

By Mai Nhat