Mai Tran's time is up and she has to work as a shipper, wandering the streets without anyone recognizing her.

The image of veteran actress Mai Tran was caught by passersby while sitting drinking water on the side of the road in a delivery man uniform, leaving many people shocked. Many viewers did not recognize Mai Tran until they were reminded.

Leaving the spotlight, Mai Tran returned to a simple life. The silver hair, haggard face and quiet appearance of the person who once shone brightly on stage now evoked much sadness. Few people expected that the "teacher", the "artist" who had created so many memorable roles, now had to make a living as a delivery man to make ends meet.

Born in 1954 in Vinh Long, Mai Tran was once one of the prominent faces of the Southern stage. He attended the National School of Drama in Saigon at the age of 16, graduated from the acting class in 1977 and continued to study Stage Directing. In the 1980s, the name Mai Tran was associated with famous roles at the Kim Cuong Drama Theater such as Lo Quy in Loi Vu, Hoang Tu in In the Name of Justice or Jourdan in Bourgeoisie Learning to Be a Sophisticated Person.

Not only an actor, Mai Tran is also a talented director, participating in directing popular TV shows such as Tai Tieu Tuyet or Vitamin Cuoi. At that time, his salary was enough to take care of life, support his wife and children's education. But the heartbreaking turning point came in 2019, when he suddenly suffered a stroke. After that, the artist continued to undergo surgery for blockages in the brain and heart vessels - causing his health to seriously decline.

After the surgery, his memory declined and his mind was no longer as clear as before. Although he tried to return to the film set with his last two works, Bo Gia (2021) and Dat Rung Phuong Nam (2023), because he could not remember his lines, he was forced to say goodbye to the stage - where he had been attached for more than half of his life. "I could not memorize my lines, and I forgot my acting, so I asked to quit. Since then, I lost my job even though I had several degrees," he shared bitterly.

On his free days, Mai Tran often turns on the TV to watch his old colleagues, tears falling unconsciously. Meeting close artists such as Meritorious Artist Bao Quoc, Cong Ninh, Phi Phung, Tran Thanh... is a rare joy for him. Some of his former students still affectionately call him "Big Brother", and give him a few million to buy medicine.

Currently, the family's economy depends mainly on his hard-working wife, Quynh Van, 20 years younger than him. Quynh Van skillfully makes dishes such as black chicken stewed with Chinese herbs, yogurt, flan, and salted duck eggs to sell online. Mai Tran often posts advertisements to help his wife, and it is those shares that help them get more orders. Since most of the customers are in Ho Chi Minh City, every day he has to drive more than 20km from his home in Dong Nai to deliver the goods.

Once, he was "bombed" with 5 orders while delivering to District 12, and had to return alone in the midday sun. He could only reply: "Hey! I work to make a living like everyone else, why do you have to tease me like that?". However, the artist still maintained an optimistic spirit, not accepting support or donations: "I don't want to carry my sadness to ask others for money. Everyone has their own burdens."

Despite the hardships of life, the small family was still filled with laughter and love. When he fell ill, Van worked and took care of her husband without leaving his side. Moved by her kindness, he wrote his wife the poem "Anh khong khong let go" as a word of gratitude and a commitment to be together until the end of their lives.

Currently, artist Mai Tran and his wife live in a level 4 house in Nhon Trach - a home they saved from every penny borrowed. At the age of 71, Mai Tran no longer has far-fetched dreams. "Now I just try to live each day to the fullest, without thinking negatively anymore. When God calls, I will go," he said, his voice light but his eyes still warm.

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