During a gathering with friends on 16/12 in Ho Chi Minh City, Phuong Lien shared that for many years, she had not returned to Vietnam due to her advanced age and declining health. Recently, with improved health, Phuong Lien confided in Le Thuy, a close colleague, about her longing for old acquaintances and her audience back home. Le Thuy encouraged her return and organized the event, inviting many close artists from the theatrical community who admired Phuong Lien's voice from her heyday.

Nghe si Phuong Lien (phai) o tuoi 78, ben Le Thuy, Trong Huu trong buoi hop mat than mat, hom 16/12. Anh: Hoang Kim

Many guests were renowned singers from the 1960s and 1970s, including Thanh Tuan, Thanh Dien, Thanh Vy, Thoai Mieu, Hung Minh, and Thanh Nguyet. Some, over 70 and 80 years old, struggled with mobility and used wheelchairs but still attended to see Phuong Lien, fearing they might not have another chance to meet.

The singer teared up upon reuniting with friends after decades of residing in the US, reminiscing about their days performing together in the same troupe. For them, it was a "difficult but joyful" period, where performing brought happiness, without distinction between supporting or lead male roles, or villainous or virtuous female roles.

Alongside Le Thuy and Trong Huu, she performed several excerpts that made her famous, such as *Nua doi huong phan* (Half a Life of Fragrance and Powder), *Duong guom Nguyen Ba* (Nguyen Ba's Sword Path), *Con gai cua me* (Mother's Daughter), *Long me* (A Mother's Heart), and *Ra gieng anh cuoi em* (I'll Marry You in January). Phuong Lien stated that during this visit, she declined performance invitations, dedicating two weeks to visiting colleagues, including those who are elderly and frail and have long retired from the stage, such as artist Hong Nga.

Dan nghe si ngoi tu trai qua: Thanh Dien, vo chong Quoc Nhi - Thanh Nguyet, vo chong Hoa Lan - Hung Minh gap lai Phuong Lien sau nhieu nam xa cach. Anh: Hoang Kim

Artist Phuong Lien, born in 1947, rose to prominence in the 1960s, alongside contemporaries like Minh Phung, My Chau, Le Thuy, Minh Vuong, Tan Tai, and Minh Canh. As a child, her father did not encourage her singing career. Artist Phuoc Hau discovered Phuong Lien's talent and convinced her mother to let him teach her *ca co* (traditional southern Vietnamese singing). In 1962, she moved to Saigon, beginning her career with the Tinh Hoa troupe.

In 1963, she joined the Tuan Kiet troupe and was praised by the contemporary press as a promising artist. In late 1964, she was invited to join the Kim Chuong troupe as a lead actress, becoming famous through plays such as *Quy bao* (Storm of Ghosts), *Mua trang nhieu nuoc mat* (Season of Many Tears Under the Moon) with Dung Thanh Lam, and *Nguoi nhan trang* (The White Swan) with Phuong Quang. Phuong Lien became a phenomenon, on par with Thanh Nga, My Chau, and Le Thuy. In 1966, alongside Phuong Quang, Phuong Lien won the Thanh Tam Gold Medal for promising talent, establishing her name with the public.

Danh ca Phuong Lien, Trong Huu hat tan co "Tinh tham duyen que". Video: YouTube Jeffrey Thai Channel

In the 1970s, Phuong Lien, along with Tan Tai and My Chau, were considered the three artists with the highest number of released recordings, commanding exorbitant performance fees. Her plays, including *Lay chong xu la* (Marrying a Stranger), *Doi co Hanh* (The Life of Miss Hanh), *Nguoi phu khieng kieu cuoi* (The Wedding Palanquin Bearer), *Manh ao que ngheo* (The Poor Village Garment), and *Hen mot mua xuan* (Promise of a Spring), were enthusiastically received by fans upon release. In 1993, Phuong Lien and her husband emigrated to California, US.

Living far from home, she regularly participated in *cai luong* programs serving overseas Vietnamese. She is regarded as one of the dedicated artists who contributed to preserving the soul of *ca co* abroad. In late 2023, she planned to return to Vietnam for a farewell concert titled "Cung dan tri an - Nghe si Phuong Lien va nhung nguoi ban" (A Grateful Melody - Artist Phuong Lien and Friends) in Ho Chi Minh City, but cancelled at the last minute due to a health issue.

Mai Nhat