An official from the city’s Cinema Department confirmed with Việt Nam News that Emeritus artist Nguyen Chanh Tin died peacefully at home.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sport and Tourism Ta Quang Dong told Việt Nam News: "Nguyen Chanh Tin was an outstanding actor, who has left a long-lasting impression in the hearts of each and every Vietnamese for his talent and passion in every role, be it as an actor, director or movie producer.”

The actor’s daughter told reporters that her mother, singer Bich Tram, came in to wake him up but found he had passed away.

“This is shocking to our family,” his daughter said.

Actor Nguyen Chanh Tin was born in 1952 in Bac Lieu Town, Rach Gia Province, in a family with a tradition in martial arts.

He first starred in a movie in 1972 in Sai Gon. Chanh Tin and his wife Bich Tram were singers and became a famous duo after 1975.

The actor played the role of Nguyen Thanh Luan, portraying a Việt Cộng agent in Ván bài lật ngửa (Cards on the Table), a film series that drew thousands of viewers to their black and white television sets in the 1980s, making him famous throughout the country.

Many viewers fell for the good-looking man who was dubbed Vietnam’s Alain Delon, after the French cinema legend.

"He was a talented and truthful artist. He was part of and witnessed the growth of our cinema. His departure left a vast void to fill in Vietnamese cinema, which is felt by all cinema generations before and after him," deputy minister Dong said.

Many fans posted comments on social media, saying “Farewell, Nguyen Thanh Luan! Rest in Peace!”

Nguyen Chanh Tin starred in his last film in 2017, when he returned to acting. He is survived by his wife and two children. His son is heading to Vietnam from Canada to attend the star’s funeral. — VNS