The Glorious Past of the Northern Kim Trong
People’s Artist Nhu Quynh, the famous screen beauty known for Den Hen Lai Len, left a mark with many films that were well-received by audiences across the country. Few know that both her parents were cai luong artists. Her biological father, People’s Artist Nhu Quynh, was one of the most famous cai luong artists in the capital in the 1950s: Meritorious Artist Tieu Lang.
The late Meritorious Artist Tieu Lang was the talented father of People’s Artist Nhu Quynh.
His real name was Nguyen Van Loc, born in 1929 in Thanh Tri district, Hanoi, and he was the younger brother of cai luong artist Kim Chung, owner of the Kim Chung theater, one of the largest cai luong theaters at that time. When he migrated to the South, the Kim Chung troupe was dubbed the “Golden Bell of North Vietnam.”
From a young age, Tieu Lang followed his sister into the profession, learning all the trades in the child artist training class. In his youth, he stood out for his handsome looks and often played the piano for performances while also taking on the role of accountant for the troupe. During one of the shows, he fell in love with cai luong artist Kim Xuan – a famous actress of the Kien Chung troupe (later known as Chuong Vang). They first played the lead couple in the play Han Tuong Giao, portraying Truong Chi and My Nuong. From then on, the two became an artistic couple, both on stage and in real life, once playing Kim Trong and Thuy Kieu.
Nhu Quynh’s childhood photo with her mother, artist Kim Xuan.
During his golden age, Artist Tieu Lang took on a series of prominent leading roles, such as Kim Trong in Kieu, Du Binh in Det Gam, Tran Khanh Du in Khuon Mat Doi Tran, and Vo Nguyen Giap in Nguoi Cong Dan So Mot. He also ventured into cinema, playing a role in the film Kiep Hoa – one of the first films produced by Vietnamese people.
In later years, when the Kim Chung theater was renamed the Chuong Vang cai luong troupe, Tieu Lang and Kim Xuan remained the pillars of Hanoi’s cai luong stage. Chuong Vang’s performances always sold out, becoming an indispensable spiritual dish for the capital’s audience. Meritorious Artist Tieu Lang also worked with the Nam Bo Cai Luong Troupe, the Central Cai Luong Theater, and the Voice of Vietnam. During the anti-American resistance war, he entertained the troops in Quang Tri.
Throughout his career, he received numerous medals and awards and was honored by the State as a Meritorious Artist in 1993.
People’s Artist Nhu Quynh inherited her artistic genes from her parents.
A Fulfilling Life with a Loving Family and Accomplished Children and Grandchildren
Apart from his impressive career, Meritorious Artist Tieu Lang also led a beautiful family life. He and his wife, artist Kim Xuan, had three children, two of whom pursued artistic careers: juggler Tien Dung and People’s Artist Nhu Quynh. Their youngest daughter, Nhu Hoa, is a master’s degree holder in English teaching.
His two sons-in-law, director Nguyen Huu Tuan and photographer Nguyen Huu Bao, are brothers and respected artists in their fields. The artistic family lived harmoniously and cozily in a small house on Bat Dan street in Hanoi, where generations cared for and supported their grandfather until his last breath.
Meritorious Artist Tieu Lang lived a life dedicated to art and his love for his family.
People’s Artist Nhu Quynh shared that she grew up in a family steeped in the arts. From cai luong to cinema, she inherited both talent and a serious work ethic from her parents. Although she initially studied cai luong, a turning point in her career came when director Tran Vu invited her to join Den Hen Lai Len in 1974. Her role as Net earned her the prestigious Golden Lotus award, paving the way for a series of notable roles in later films such as Hy Vong Cuoi Cung, Ha Noi Mua Chim Lam To, Chuyen Cua Pao, Ao Lua Ha Dong, and Ben Khong Chong…
People’s Artist Nhu Quynh in her youth, when she studied cai luong.
In an interview with the press after her father’s passing on January 3, 2025, People’s Artist Nhu Quynh shared that he passed away peacefully after a week in the hospital. “My parents’ lives were fulfilled, and their children have grown up and are well-established. My father had no regrets,” she said tearfully. The actress also emotionally shared that she felt fortunate to have spent time with her father in his final days before leaving for a film shoot in Moc Chau.
The family of Meritorious Artist Tieu Lang and Artist Kim Xuan, with their talented children.
Not only was Meritorious Artist Tieu Lang a great cai luong artist, but he was also a devoted husband, a model father, and a beloved grandfather. The farewell words from his daughter and son-in-law summed up his life – a talented, virtuous, and humble man who left a deep impression on those who knew him and his family.
