A photo of Van Son (right) from his early days in the US in 1990, alongside his cousin, director Charlie Nguyen, garnered significant attention on 28/4. During this period, he began pursuing his acting career on overseas Vietnamese stages.

Audiences widely praised Van Son’s comedic charm from his youth, as well as the director’s handsome appearance. After 25 years, the two have reunited for a new film, "Dai tiec trang mau 8" (Blood Moon Feast 8), with Van Son in the lead role, which premiered during the 30/4 holiday.

Comedian Van Son, a veteran of the Vietnamese entertainment scene, has consistently maintained his comedic prowess and passion for acting throughout his 35-year career. At 65, he continues to impress audiences and peers with his enduring talent, most recently starring in the film "Dai tiec trang mau 8."

Van Son’s journey in comedy began in the early 1990s after he moved to the US. A significant moment in his career was forming a comedy duo with Bao Liem, a childhood friend he reconnected with in America. Their collaboration started after Bao Liem saw Van Son’s photo on a poster for a Tet fair for Vietnamese people in California, prompting him to contact the organizers to get in touch. This reunion marked the genesis of their successful comedy group.

Initially, the duo performed at weddings and dance clubs, showcasing their unique two-person comedy style. Their talent quickly caught the attention of several promoters, who invited them to film videos. After releasing a few editions, Van Son and Bao Liem steadily gained popularity within the overseas Vietnamese community. Their first self-produced comedy video became a significant success, selling over 20,000 tapes and generating more than 100,000 USD in revenue.

The Van Son - Bao Liem duo also collaborated with numerous other artists, creating a series of hit sketches that resonated deeply with their audience. These popular works included: "Lay chong xu la" (Marrying a Stranger), "Oan gia doi mat" (Enemies Face Off), "Co Tam ngay nay" (Today's Cinderella), "Hai la thu" (Two Letters), and "Thang ban tot" (Good Friend). Actor Quang Minh, who frequently collaborated with them, expressed his gratitude for Van Son's support when he first arrived in the US. Despite later being offered an exclusive performance contract by another entity alongside Hong Dao, Quang Minh affirmed his desire to continue performing for Van Son’s center, citing their strong bond and past relationship.

After several years of successful collaboration, Van Son and Bao Liem eventually pursued separate paths. Van Son then partnered with Hoai Linh starting in 1994, leading to another highly successful phase of his career. Together, they created memorable sketches such as: "Hoa hau ba mien" (Miss Three Regions), "Tai nan tivi" (TV Accident), "Song tau choi chu" (Wordplay Duo), and "Con rieng" (Stepchild). Van Son often shares his emotional experience when returning to Vietnam, where many audience members recall his performances, stating they know every line by heart, considering his acts a cherished part of their childhood memories.

In the early 2000s, Van Son expanded his career into cinema, starring in the romantic comedy "Vat doi sao roi" (Things Change, Stars Shift), directed by Charlie Nguyen. In the film, he played Huy, an overseas Vietnamese who returns home from the US to marry, only to encounter a series of humorous mishaps that derail his plans. The project also featured performances by Quang Minh, Hong Dao, and Tawny Truc Nguyen, marking a significant step in Van Son's versatility as an entertainer.

Throughout the 2010s, Van Son increased his visits to Vietnam, frequently appearing as a judge on various acting and music game shows. In 2017, he served as a judge on the program "Nguoi bi an" (Mysterious Person) alongside Hong Dao. He also established "The V Show" stage, a venue with a capacity for approximately 400-500 audience members, where he organized numerous singing performances; however, the venue ceased operations after a period.

Van Son recently attended the premiere of "Dai tiec trang mau 8" in mid-4 in TP HCM. Many colleagues commented on his youthful appearance for his age. He shared that he used to train extensively in various sports, including gym workouts and football. In recent years, due to his age, he no longer engages in heavy training but maintains his fitness through push-ups, hand weights, and pickleball to preserve muscle mass.

In "Dai tiec trang mau 8", Van Son portrays the father of Lam Thanh My’s character. He admitted feeling pressure returning to film, having grown accustomed to the improvisational style of stage comedy. The actor also expressed concern about reconnecting with a younger cast, including Miu Le, Lien Binh Phat, and Lam Thanh My, after a long hiatus from filmmaking. However, after a few days of filming, he gradually adjusted his performance to meet the director's requirements.

Beyond his professional life, Van Son enjoys a peaceful family life with his wife and two children. After 36 years together, the artist expressed his gratitude for his wife, who has consistently been a steadfast supporter, enabling him to pursue his career with peace of mind.

Mai Nhat

Photos: Provided by subject