VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese-American comedian Viet Huong will return to the stage for a live show to celebrate her 20-year career in HCM City. 

Homegrown punchline: With her biggest-ever live show on November 5, comedian Viet Huong will treat theatre lovers in HCMC to comedy with cai luong and pop music. Courtesy Photo of Dong Tay Promotion

Huong’s Show at the 7th Military Zone Gymnasium will also be her biggest-ever live show.

More than 11,000 tickets will be delivered free to students from local colleges and universities.

"My show will include excerpts from quality plays on social problems," she said.

Huong is hoping that the event, which will feature comic actors Cong Ninh, Minh Nhi and Huu Tin as well as pop stars Dan Truong and Phuong Thanh, will attract many young people.

"To attract youth, we need to offer productions with an unusual performing style," the 37-year-old said.

The highlight of the show will be Tro Dua Nguoi Lon (The Game) and Nu Sinh (Schoolgirls), both three-act plays that have made Huong famous for more than two decades.

“I think comedians should develop the genre with their skills and creativity,” said Huong, adding that her art brings both smiles and tears to audiences.  

Huong invited pop singers because “I want to renew the theatre by combining drama and music”.

She will perform excerpts from comedies Dại Gia Dinh (Great Family) and Mot Ngay Xui Xeo (A Bad Day), which have been staged by Huong for Vietnamese in France and the US, with support from singers Dan Truong and Phuong Thanh.

Huong began her career at a very early age. She won second prize for Best Comic Actress at the National Professional Theatre Festival in HCM City in 1995 when she was at the City’s College of Arts and Theatre (now HCM City University of Theatre and Cinematography).

In 2002, she left the theatre to run her own troupe of young actors which offered cai luong (reformed theatre) in comedy films and comic shows.  

Her strong and melodic voice and remarkable stage presence helped Huong leave an indelible mark on the art, and she has used her popularity to promote the art form.

She has won several top prizes at theatre festivals and contests launched by prestigious organisations such as the HCM City Theatre’s Association, Viet Nam Television, HCM City Television and Nguoi Lao Dong (Labourers) newspapers.  

In 2007, Huong moved to live with her husband in California and now works as a freelance artiste.  

She has performed in more than 50 plays and dozens of videos and movies.

Her show will take place at 8pm on November 5 at the 7th Military Zone Gymnasium, 204 Hoang Van Thu Street, Tan Binh District.        

VNS