Thinh, born in 1973, is a well known name in the Vietnam’s stunt actor industry. Having a passion for Hong Kong (China) action movies since his childhood, Thinh was determined to pursue the path of becoming a martial arts actor. In 1990 -1991, he joined a martial arts school and attended casting sessions for famous movies such as ‘Pham Cong – Cuc Hoa’ (Pham Cong and Cuc Hoa) and ‘Lua Chay Thanh Dai La’ (Gust in DaiLa Citadel)

At first, Thinh thought he would only ‘give a boxing demonstration’ in movies, and did not understand what the word stuntman meant. In 1992, directors, assistant directors, assistants, policemen and acrobats established the Cascadeur Club under the HCM City Cinema Association, with Le Tien Dung as the chair. Thinh joined the club and began receiving training which gave him good experience to be a stuntman in many film projects in the 1992-1997 period.

According to Quoc Thinh, the stuntman profession has gone through many ups and downs together with Vietnamese cinema. 

In 1997, the film industry stagnated, the audiences turned their back to Vietnam’s movies, and the press criticized films which were made within a very short time and had low quality, calling them ‘instant noodle films’. 

Thinh and his colleagues had to take many other jobs to earn their living, from designing flying wires and dancing for dramas such as Bao Thanh Thien (Justice Pao) and Tay Du Ky (Journey to the West) at theatres, to performing acrobatic and fighting scenes in overseas Vietnamese-made music videos. 

This was also the turning point when he founded Quoc Thinh Cascadeur Club with eight members.

In 1998-1999, when television programs were developing, the role of a stuntman was not properly recognized. They were considered an extra. Thinh only appeared in dramas as a gangster or performed in fighting scenes as a stuntman for main actors. Only his figure appeared in the films, while his face was unclear. 

However, he pursued his passion and was wrapped up in his work as a stuntman. He cannot remember how many films he has been in.

Quoc Thinh set the record as the double in the highest number of films in the Vietnamese cinema, confirmed by the Vietnam Book of Records Center in 2006. 

Only in 2002-2003 did the stunt profession begin strongly recovering, and since 2010 most film projects need doubles.

Thinh has been a stuntman for famous actors and singers such as Huynh Anh Tuan, Ly Hung, Hoang Phuc and Lam Truong in famous films such as ‘Xich lo’ (Cyclo), ‘Ke hoach 99’ (Plan 99), ‘Nguoi My Tram Lang’ (The Quiet American). His most notable role was journalist Tam Tam in ‘Duoi Co Dai Nghia’ (Under the Flag of Justice).

Thinh graduated from the Faculty of Refrigeration Engineering of the University of Fisheries. However, he always had a passion for martial arts, accepting any role assigned to him, and understanding that it is a dangerous career. He once escaped death by an inch when standing in for actor Ly Hung in ‘Red Sea Pirate’ in 1995. The injuries such as scratches and sprains are common for Thinh and his co-workers. 

However, he said, as technologies have developed strongly, he and his co-workers can minimize accidents.

Success and pride

Working as a cascadeur for more than 30 years, Thinh feels proud of successfully training famous cascadeurs who have contributed to the success of the Vietnamese film industry, such as Tony-Le Duong Bao Anh, Duong Minh Chien, Mai Chi Thanh, Dang Phi Long, Tram Minh Hoang, Phi Ngoc Anh and Tran Nhu Thuc.

Thinh cites Bui Minh An, the martial arts instructor of the club, who has set a Vietnamese record for the highest ever jump in the stuntman world. He jumped and fell freely from the 8th floor of Thuy Van Hotel in Vung Tau City in 2006 in Ly Hai's MV ‘Tron doi ben em 7’ (Forever with You 7).

Thinh is not only a cascadeur, but also a film director. He studied at the HCM City University of Theatre and Cinema in 2001 and has directed about 10 movies.

Thinh got married in 2004 and has two children, now aged 16 and 18. His wife accepts the risks of her husband's career, and the children are proud of their father's career. 

Thanh Phi