Viet Celebs of Saigon Pre-'75 (Page 1)

Viet Celebs of Saigon Pre-'75

The celebrities featured on this page are those who had made significant contributions to Vietnamese arts and culture in South Vietnam prior to 1975.  Although Vietnam was going through extremely turbulent times with the ongoing civil war, these talented artists miraculously had all managed to share their talents with their fellow countrymen.  Besides their talents, it should also be noted that in a country during times of crisis, these artists each contributed greatly to keeping Vietnamese culture alive through performing arts.  Here is a salute to some of the greatest entertainers from South Vietnam prior to the Fall of Saigon.

Featured Celebrities on Viet Celebs of Saigon Pre'-75 (Page 1):  Tham Thuy Hang, Hung Cuong, Thanh Nga, Thai Thanh, Khanh Ly, Le Thu, Duy Khanh, Nhat Truong, Thanh Lan, Thanh Thuy, Thanh Duoc, Ut Bach Lan, Nguyen Chanh Tin, Che Linh


Tham Thuy Hang (1940-     ) has often been referred to as being the most beautiful Vietnamese woman of all time.  A legendary actress of Vietnamese cinema, Tham Thuy Hang's tremendous popularity and fame began in 1958 with the release of her debut film, Nguoi Dep Binh Duong (The Beautiful Lady of Binh Duong), as movie audiences throughout all of South Vietnam were mesmerized by her extraordinary beauty.  The enormous success from this debut film immediately turned Tham Thuy Hang into a major movie star of South Vietnam, as her name would forever be linked to the movie's title. 


In the 1960s, Tham Thuy Hang had starred in more films produced in South Vietnam than any other Vietnamese actor or actress.  Unquestionably, she was the cinema of South Vietnam's reigning queen.  In addition to the movies she had made in South Vietnam, Tham Thuy Hang's celebrity status had surpassed beyond the borders of her homeland allowing her the opportunities of participation as a film actress of world cinema.  Among her international acting credits were major roles in many foreign films that were produced in countries such as Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the Phillipines, Thailand and the United States.  In 1969, Tham Thuy Hang launched her own film production studio with the release of her production company's first film entitled, Chieu Ky Niem (Afternoon of Memories), which had starred Phung Ha and Nam Chau.  The blockbuster success from Chieu Ky Niem paved the way for her film production company to produce many more successful films such as Nang (Lady) and Ngam Ngui (Pity).

Unlike many of her colleagues, after the Fall of Saigon in 1975 Tham Thuy Hang remained in Vietnam and continued to make movies for several more years.  In 1980, at the mere age of 40, Tham Thuy Hang retired from her career as a film actress and set her focus in other roles; as wife to her husband, economist Nguyen Xuan Oanh whom she had wed in 1970, and as mother to their four children.  Prior to her marriage to Nguyen Xuan Oanh, Tham Thuy Hang's eldest child was from her first marriage which had briefly ended in divorce after only two years.  She remained married to Nguyen Xuan Oanh until his death in 2003, a total of 23 years.








Tham Thuy Hang and Thanh Nga

Hung Cuong (1936-1996) was one of the most prolific actors of the big screen and stage in South Vietnam.  In addition, he was also a famous singer/ songwriter of pop music and performer of Vietnamese opera known as "cai luong".  Among his most popular films was Nang Chieu, released in 1973, in which he costarred with another fellow performer of the "cai luong" opera stage, Thanh Nga.  As a pop music singer, Hung Cuong achieved tremendous success as part of a singing duo of Vietnamese rock music with Mai Le Huyen throughout the 1960s and 1970s.  On the opera stage, Hung Cuong paired up with Bach Tuyet, and together formed one of the most successful couples of the "cai luong" stage.  In 1980, Hung Cuong immigrated to the United States and continued his career as a performer for several years, although he was unable to match the level of success he had enjoyed previously in Vietnam.  An avid opponent of communism, Hung Cuong participated in many anti-communist rallies around the world during the latter years of his career.  In 1996, he died prematurely at the age of 60 after a number of years battling cancer. 






Hung Cuong and Mai Le Huyen were the most
 successful singing duo of Vietnamese rock music.

Hung Cuong in the film, "Nang Chieu" (1973).





Thanh Nga (1942-1978) was the most popular actress of South Vietnam's "cai luong" opera stage prior to 1975.  In addition, Thanh Nga had also enjoyed a career as a film actress starring in a series of films produced in South Vietnam including Nang Chieu, Lan va Diep, Doi Mat Nguoi Xua and Xa Lo Khong Den.  Aside from her acting and "cai luong" opera singing talents, Thanh Nga was also famous for her physical beauty being hailed as one of the most beautiful Vietnamese actresses of all time.  Her beauty has only been rivaled to that of another screen legend of South Vietnam, actress Tham Thuy Hang.  Twice married with one child, Thanh Nga met her untimely death at the age of 36 when she and her husband were shot and killed in 1978. 

Thanh Nga's natural beauty was easily captured on film.



Thanh Nga - one of the most beautiful
Vietnamese actresses of all time.

 Thai Thanh (1934-     ) was born in Hanoi.  Known as "Tieng Hat Vuot Thoi Gian" (Timeless Voice), her voice is one of the most recognizable in the history of Vietnamese music.  The youngest out of 5 children, Thai Thanh began her career as child singing with the singing group, Ban Hop Ca Thang Long".  In the 1950s, she migrated to South Vietnam along with her sister, Thai Hang, who was married to legendary Vietnamese composer, Pham Duy.  In South Vietnam, Thai Thanh became famous with a string of hits including Tinh Hoai Huong, Buon Tan Thu, Dong Song Xanh, Co Hong and Nua Hon Thuong Dau.

In 1956, Thai Thanh married legendary film actor Le Quynh.  Their marriage lasted until 1965 and produced 5 children.  Her oldest daughter, Y Lan, would later become a famous overseas Vietnamese singer. 

After the Fall of Saigon in 1975, Thai Thanh remained in Vietnam for another decade.  Upon resettling in the United States in 1985, Thai Thanh continued to record for Diem Xua Productions and performed in many live shows around the world until she announced her retirement in 2002.  Thai Thanh will forever be known as the "timeless voice" in Vietnamese pop music. 

Khanh Ly (1945-     ) along with Thai Thanh and Le Thu was considered among the primary three female singers of South Vietnam prior to 1975.  Born in Hanoi as Nguyen Thi Le Mai, she would later take on the surname, Pham, as a result of her mother's remarriage.  In 1956, she along with her family relocated to Da Lat.  As a child, she entered a singing talent contest held at the Norodom Venue in Saigon and placed second.  At the age of 19, she chose the stage name, Khanh Ly, and turned professional upon landing her first steady singing gig at Anh Vu Nightclub in Saigon.  In less than a year working in Saigon, Khanh Ly decided to return to Da Lat where she would work for the next three years singing for local nightclubs. 

Trinh Cong Son and Khanh Ly

In 1964, Khanh Ly would meet up with musician/ composer, Trinh Cong Son, then still an unknown, who tried to persuade her to return to Saigon and pursue her singing career.  Content with her life in Da Lat, Khanh Ly turned down Trinh Cong Son's invitation and remained in Da Lat until 1967.  Another chance meeting with Trinh Cong Son in 1967 would lead to Khanh Ly's decision to move back to Saigon and from then on would rise to prominence.  Her recording of Diem Xua, written and composed by Trinh Cong Son, gave her instant national recognition.

From the years 1967-1975, Khanh Ly collaborated with numerous record labels based in Saigon such as Continental, Du Am, Song Nhac, and Tinh Ca Que Huong.  In 1970, Khanh Ly accepted an invitation to perform on a concert tour in Japan by NHK Television and recorded an album produced by Columbia Nippon of Trinh Cong Son composed songs in both Vietnamese and Japanese.
In 1972, Khanh Ly opened her own nightclub in Saigon named simply as Khanh Ly where she performed nightly until 1975.  Upon the Fall of Saigon, Khanh Ly left for the United States where she has continued her career as a Vietnamese singer, started her own music production label, and has remained active to this day. 

Khanh Ly's Official Website

Le Thu (1943-      ) was one of the most famous singers in South Vietnam from the 1960s up until the Fall of Saigon in 1975.  Born in Hai Phong as Bui Thi Oanh, she and her mother would leave their home in the communist North for a new life in South Vietnam when she was just 10 years old.  At age 16 while still in high school, she and a few friends decided to stop by Bong Lai Nightclub in Saigon one night where she went up on stage to sing a song during open mic.  The owner of Bong Lai was so impressed with her performance that he immediately approached her with a job offer to sing regularly at his club.  Concerned that her parents would object should they find out, she accepted the offer to sing at Bong Lai under the alias, Le Thu, which would become her permanent professional stage name.

After 3 years, Le Thu left Bong Lai to perform nightly at Tu Do Nightclub in Saigon beginning in 1962,  In the years that followed, Le Thu would collaborate with Jo Marcel and become one of the most popular headliners at major cabarets and nightclubs of Saigon such as Tu Do, Ritz, and Queen Bee.  Le Thu also recorded for numerous record labels in South Vietnam prior to 1975 such as Shotguns, Continental, Premier, Son Ca and May Hong.  Among her most popular signature songs include Nuoc Mat Mua Thu, Ngam Ngui, Xin Con Goi Ten Nhau, Chiec Bong Ben Duong, Nua Hon Thuong Dau, Ha Trang and Dung Bo Em Mot Minh.

Le Thu fled from Vietnam in 1979 by boat and spent 8 months at Pulau Bidong refugee camp in Malaysia before permanently resettling in Southern California in 1980.  In the United States, Le Thu has managed to successfully continue with her career as a Vietnamese singer, recording for various overseas Vietnamese music production labels and performing at live shows for Vietnamese audiences worldwide.  Twice divorced and a mother to 3 grown daughters, Le Thu currently resides in Fountain Valley, California.

Duy Khanh (1936-2003) Born in Hue, was one of the most prolific songwriters and singers of traditional folk music in South Vietnam prior to 1975.  Among his most popular compositions included Ai Ra Xu Hue, Loi Ve Dat Me, Thuong Ve Mien Trung, and Xin Anh Giu Tron Tinh Que.  

Duy Khanh moved to the United States in 1988.  He would continue his career as a performer for the overseas Vietnamese community there and also set up a vocals instructional class with legendary Vietnamese songstress, Thai Thanh.  Duy Khanh was once married and had two children.  He passed away at the age of 67 in Fountain Valley, California in 2003.

His music remains as an inspiration to many Vietnamese contemporary artists of today such as Tuan Vu, Truong Vu, Che Linh and Manh Quynh.



Nhat Truong (1942-2005) also known as Tran Thien Thanh, was a famous singer, songwriter, director and film actor of South Vietnam prior to 1975.  He was considered among the top 4 male vocalists with a particular genre of Vietnamese pop music known as "Nhac Vang" which appealed massively to the general music audience of South Vietnam and literally translates to golden music, along with Duy Khanh, Hung Cuong and Che Linh.  Upon completion of high school in his hometown of Phan Thiet, Nhat Truong moved to Saigon at age 16 and enrolled in military academy.  In 1965, he completed his studies and worked briefly as a high school teacher.  In the early 1960s, Nhat Truong had formed a pop music group in Saigon, known as the Nhat Truong Quartet with three female vocalists; Nhu Thuy, Van Quynh and Diem Chi, and performed often for various events in support of the ARVN, the military of South Vietnam.  In addition  Nhat Truong was an active participant on Dai Truyen Hinh Viet Nam, South Vietnam's national broadcasted television programs where he appeared as a musical performer and as an actor in numerous dramatic skits, often alongside popular singer/ actress Thanh Lan.  His dedication and faithful commitments to the ARVN, the military of South Vietnam, reflected many of his compositions as a songwriter.  By the end of the 1960s decade, Nhat Truong along with Hung Cuong and Che Linh became known for appearing on stage at live music shows dressed in military uniform representing the ARVN.

In the early 1970s, Nhat Truong starred in and directed two motion pictures in South Vietnam, Tren Dinh Mua Dong (1972) and Mong Thuong (1974). Thanh Lan, on both films, co-starred as his leading lady.  Nhat Truong also had founded his own record label and produced many of his own successful albums recorded in Saigon prior to 1975, as well as for other famous recording artists in South Vietnam.  As a songwriter, his most famous compositions included Chuyen Hen Ho, Gap Nhau Lam Ngo, Nguoi O Lai Charlie, Nguoi Yeu Toi Khoc, Chieu Tren Pha Tam Giang, Tu Do Em Buon, Tinh Dau Tinh Cuoi, Anh Ve Voi Em, Khong Bao Gio Ngan Cach, Hoa Trinh Nu and Chiec Ao Ba Ba.  After the Fall of Saigon in 1975, Nhat Truong was among the artists banned from public performances under the new communist regime.  In 1984, Nhat Truong was given permission to resume his career as a music performer, but chose to remain inactive due to his anti-communist beliefs.

Nhat Truong and My Lan

In 1993, Nhat Truong moved to the United States and shortly after remarried to overseas Vietnamese singer, My Lan., In 2005, he died from lung cancer in Westminster, California at the age of 63.

Thanh Lan (1948-     ) was an iconic pop music superstar of South Vietnam prior to 1975, most known for her interpretations of French popular music.  Born in Vinh, Nghe An, Vietnam, Thanh Lan graduated from the prestigious Marie Curie High School in Saigon.  After graduating from high school, she went on to graduate from the University of Saigon, School of Literature in 1973.  Thanh Lan began her music career from the early age of 9 when she was taken under the wings of musicians Tham Oanh and Nghiem Phu Phi who guided her on her beginnings on the road to fame.  While still in high school, she appeared regularly on VTVN Radio as part of the group, Viet Nhi, directed by Nguyen Duc.  From 1967 to 1968, Thanh Lan appeared on Truyen Hinh Sai Gon television program singing folkloric Vietnamese music.  In college, Thanh Lan gained national fame as a singer of popular music.  In 1970, she starred in her first motion picture, Tieng Hat Hoc Tro.  In 1973, she toured Japan with musicians Ngoc Chanh and Pham Duy where her recordings of the songs, Tuoi Biet Buon and Tuoi Mong Mo were featured at the International Music Festival of Yamaha.

Thanh Lan in her first motion picture, Tieng Hat Hoc Tro (1970)

After the Fall of Saigon, Thanh Lan continued with her career for many years until the end of 1993 when she traveled to the United States for what had been planned originally as a brief tour but ultimately led her seeking political asylum in 1994.  She has remained active as a pop music performer in the overseas Vietnamese community to this day.

Among Thanh Lan's most popular recorded songs have included Tinh Thien Thu, Khi Xua Ta Be (Bang Bang), Em Dep Nhat Dem Nay (La Plus Belle Pour Aller Danser), Trung Vuong Khung Cua Mua Thu (Tell Laura I Love Her), Tinh Yeu Oi Tinh Yeu (Oh Mon Amour), and Mua Dong Cua Anh, in which she had recorded as a duet with legendary singer/ songwriter Nhat Truong.

Thanh Lan on Facebook

Thanh Thuy (1943-     ) is a popular Vietnamese singer originally from Hue, Central Vietnam who began her professional singing career around the age of 16 in Saigon and would later become known as Tieng Hat Lieu Trai (The Sultry Singing Voice).  

How Thanh Thuy had become a professional singer was somewhat of an accident, as her career choice had come about unplanned. Growing up in Hue in a family of 5 siblings, up until her early teenage years Saigon seemed like a faraway destination to Thanh Thuy as a young girl.  However, when she was 15, her mother had been stricken with tuberculosis and the family had to relocate to Saigon for her medical treatment.  To contribute to her family's income along with the high costs of medical care for her mother, Thanh Thuy found work singing at lounges and cabarets while still a minor at age 15, just a few weeks prior to her 16th birthday. Almost overnight, audiences took notice of her unique style of singing that was unlike most other female Vietnamese vocalists at the time.  Among the characteristics that made her stand out was her husky, sensual singing voice in a much lower register than what was considered typical for a female vocalist along with her distinct style of pronunciation that was reminiscent of the Central Vietnamese dialect most common among native residents of the imperial city of Hue.  One other advantage she had was her natural beauty which coincided with her regal stage presence.

In a very short period of time, Thanh Thuy by 1960 had become one of the most popular musical performers at cabarets throughout Saigon.  It was at the Duc Quynh Cabaret in Saigon where she first started performing nightly that would catapult Thanh Thuy into stardom.  Among her many admirers included a list of prominent Vietnamese songwriters.  One particular songwriter by the name of Trinh Cong Son, who was then still a virtual unknown, had been one of her biggest fans.  His very first composition, Uot Mi (Tear Drenched Eyelashes), was written particularly for Thanh Thuy.  It can be said that Trinh Cong Son had been given his first big break as a composer through the introduction of Thanh Thuy's vocal interpretations of Uot Mi which first brought his name into prominence with Vietnamese music audiences.  After the success of Uot Mi, Trinh Cong Son followed up with another composition he had written especially for Thanh Thuy entitled Thuong Mot Nguoi (To Love Someone).

Throughout her career, Thanh Thuy would have similar experiences with many other prominent Vietnamese composers as many other popular Vietnamese songs had been initially written specifically for Thanh Thuy's singing voice.  Hoang Thi Tho had written Loi Hat Ta On (Lyrics of Thanks) with Thanh Thuy's voice in mind.   Ton That Lap's Tieng Hat Ve Khuya (Nocturnal Voice) had also been written for Thanh Thuy, as well.  Thuy Da Di Roi (Thuy Has Left), the theme song of a 1961 film directed and written by film actor/ director Nguyen Long based on Thanh Thuy, was written by Nguyen Long and composed by Y Van had also become one of Thanh Thuy's most famous signature songs throughout her career.  And her most famous collaboration was with songwriter Truc Phuong which had spawned a long list of popular songs for Thanh Thuy such as Hai Loi Mong (Both Sides of Splendor), Nua Dem Ngoai Pho (A Night Out on the Town) and Chuyen Chung Minh (Our Story).  

Thanh Thuy throughout the 1960s and 1970s in Saigon was among one of the most in-demand cabaret headliners, as she graced the stage of various major venues like Anh Vu, Tu Do, Queen Bee, and Quoc Te (International), in which she along with one of Saigon's most celebrated promoters, Ngoc Chanh, had each co-owned up until the Fall of Saigon in 1975.  In 1962, Thanh Thuy was voted by a national poll conducted by Trang Den Magazine in Saigon as Hoa Hau Nghe Si (Beauty Queen Among Entertainers).  The same magazine would also place her as the most popular singer of the year for three consecutive years from 1972-1974.

During her initial years since her rise to fame as a Vietnamese singer, Thanh Thuy broke the hearts of many of her admiring male fans when she decided to get married and start a family of her own. Happily married to On Van Tai since 1964, Thanh Thuy is a mother to a grown son who is now a pharmacist and since 1995 has been a grandmother.  Thanh Thuy has one younger sister, Thanh Chau, who has followed in her footsteps in the singing profession and is now an attorney at law. Since 1975, Thanh Thuy has resettled in the United States and started her own music production label which has produced and released an impressive collection of studio recorded albums.  She continues to tour the world and makes appearances on Thuy Nga Paris and Asia Productions.

Thanh Duoc (1938-     ) was a famous performer of "cai luong", Southern Vietnamese opera, in Saigon and a film actor.  Born in Soc Trang, Thanh Duoc began his professional career on stage at the age of 16.  Thanh Duoc has acted alongside some of the top performers of the "cai luong" stage such as Phung Ha, Nam Chau, Ut Tra On, Ut Bach Lan and Bach Tuyet.  From 1961 until 1964, he was married to Ut Bach Lan and together they were known as the golden couple of the "cai luong" stage.  Among his leading ladies was the late legendary actress, Thanh Nga.  Thanh Duoc has since confessed that Thanh Nga was the true love of his life.

Thanh Duoc and Ut Bach Lan

Blessed with good looks, Thanh Duoc was casted as the lead actor in Chiec Bong Ben Duong (1973), a film in which he starred alongside Kieu Chinh and Kim Cuong.  His performance in the film surprised audiences all over South Vietnam for his diversity as an actor.

Ut Bach Lan and Thanh Duoc
 in the play, Nua Doi Huong Phan (1959)

In 1984, Thanh Duoc and Bach Tuyet toured West Germany to perform for the overseas Vietnamese audience there.  While on tour in West Germany, Thanh Duoc successfully applied for political asylum and remained there until he resettled in San Jose, California in 1995.  Thanh Duoc has since become a restaurateur and owns Thanh Duoc restaurant in Milpitas, Northern California.

Ut Bach Lan (1935-2016) was born in Long An, South Vietnam.  Ut Bach Lan was among the most popular performers of the "cai luong" stage in South Vietnam.  She was once married to fellow performer, Thanh Duoc from 1961 until 1964.  Among her most popular plays in which she starred in include Nua Doi Huong Phan, Chua Tat Lua Long, Ben Doi Trang Cu, Thuyen Ra Cua Bien, Ao Trang Nang Mong Tinh, Nua Ban Tinh Ca, and Nguoi Dep Thanh Bat Da.


Due to her ex-husband's philandering, Ut Bach Lan experienced financial woes having to support several of Thanh Duoc's born out of wedlock.  She has retired from the stage and currently takes up residence in a temple in Ho Chi Minh City where she spends most of her days helping the needy.  Ut Bach Lan's brother, Ut Tra On, was also a prominent performer of the "cai luong" stage.

Nguyen Chanh Tin (1952-     ) is a popular actor and singer in Saigon since prior to 1975.  Born in Bac Lieu, South Vietnam, he was the youngest of five children.  He is cousin to the famous actor, Johnny Tri Nguyen.

During the early 1970s, Nguyen Chanh Tin's good looks earned him a status of being somewhat of a cinema heartthrob.

Among his most popular films have included Van Bai Lat Ngua (1982) and Dong Mau Anh Hung (2007).   In recent years, Nguyen Chanh Tin has experienced some financial woes due to some bad financial investments which have resulted him in losing his home.







Che Linh (1942-     ) is a famous singer from Vietnam.  Born in Ninh Thuan, Central Vietnam, Che Linh began his career when he relocated to Saigon in 1959.  Che Linh gained national popularity with his duets alongside singer, Thanh Tuyen.  Among his most popular songs include Bai Ca Ky Niem, Dem Buon Tinh Le, Doan Tai But, Xin Lam Nguoi Xa La, Mai Lo Minh Xa Nhau, Doan Cuoi Tinh Yeu, and Neu Chung Minh Cach Tro.

Since 1980, Che Linh has made his home in Toronto, Canada.  He continues to tour the world performing for overseas Vietnamese audiences.  Che Linh is one of the most popular performers on the Thuy Nga Paris stage.  He is of an ethnic minority descent of Vietnam.