Nguyen Hong Phuong, also a deputy director at the Vietnam Puppet Theatre, confirmed the news. Representatives from the theatre and his family are preparing funeral arrangements.

Actress Mai Anh of Thang Long Puppet Theatre expressed dismay upon hearing the news. Just two days prior, on 9/5, she had met him at the 4th Hai Phong Extended Puppet Festival. "He appeared well then, even performing a puppet act with others on stage," Mai Anh recalled.

Many respected Long for his dedication and compassion. He was always ready to help colleagues. Mai Anh added, "In 2018, when puppet artist Tran Minh Toan suffered an illness and later passed away, Long was constantly by his side, caring for his friend."

Artist The Long. *Photo: Vietnam Puppet Theatre*

Meritorious Artist Nguyen The Long contributed greatly to the creation and preservation of traditional puppet art. He served as an assistant director for productions such as Khuc dong dao, Giac mo cua Ech Xanh, and Trang dat Viet.

He pioneered the integration of puppetry into creative spaces, combining it with other art forms like dance and drama, showcasing innovation in each performance.

Ha Thu