Artist Ngoc Tram, in her twilight years, earns a living by collecting scrap metal; her mention of Quy Binh evokes feelings of sadness.

At nearly 70 years old, former Cai Luong artist Ngoc Tram evokes pity from many as she lives a lonely, sick life, having to collect scrap metal and eat instant noodles to survive. She is particularly moving when she recounts an unforgettable memory with artist Quy Binh.

Recently, in the program "Life's Hardships," the Ngu Long Du Ky group (including artists Phi Phung, Phuong Dung, Thuy Muoi, Diem Huong, and Nam Cha) had the opportunity to visit artist Ngoc Tram. The meeting revealed the tragic hidden side of a female artist who dedicated her youth to the stage lights.

From the spotlight to the wandering feet on the sidewalks.

Artist Ngoc Tram was born in 1957, the same era as artist Phi Phung. She once worked with the Quoc Chung Cai Luong (Vietnamese traditional opera) troupe, sharing the stage with the late comedian Phi Thoan in memorable roles such as Ly Mau in the play Thach Sanh – Ly Thong. When the golden age passed and the Cai Luong troupes disbanded, she moved to the 5B theater to work as a costume designer, meticulously attending to every detail of the costumes for her younger colleagues.

However, health problems pushed her to the brink. Currently, the artist suffers from severe hearing loss in both ears. She emotionally recalled, "Quy Binh once gave me a hearing aid, but when he passed away, the aid broke. I kept it as a memento." Her inability to hear clearly deprived her of opportunities for manual labor jobs like housework, as she was frequently scolded and fired for misunderstandings.

The ultimate tragedy: "misfortune never comes alone."

Artist Ngoc Tram's life has been a series of misfortunes. After a hearing loss, she unfortunately fell and suffered a serious back injury, requiring urgent surgery costing 40-50 million VND. With not a penny in her pocket, she could only weep in despair. Fortunately, artists Huu Quoc and My Uyen promptly provided full financial support for her hospital bills, helping her overcome this life-threatening situation.

Despite her frail health, she chose to make a living by collecting scrap metal. "I would go around the streets collecting scrap metal and then sell it to a recycling center. With the little money I earned, I tried to pay Huu Quoc back, but he wouldn't accept it. I've never wanted to be indebted to anyone, but I was so broke at the time, I didn't have money for food, and I had to eat instant noodles for breakfast, lunch, and dinner," she shared tearfully.

Her suffering didn't end there. While scavenging for scrap metal, she was seriously bitten by a dog, requiring 4-5 stitches in her leg and additional vaccinations. The accumulated physical and emotional scars made her appearance in the Five Dragons' Journey video shocking to viewers.

Heartwarming display of artist solidarity in times of hardship.

Witnessing the "extreme hardship" of their senior colleague, artists Phi Phụng and Phương Dung could not hide their sorrow. The Ngũ Long Du Ký group sent a small gift to help her cover medical and living expenses.

For over three years, the group's "Caring for the Poor and Needy" initiative has become a bridge of love, helping countless elderly and lonely artists. For artist Ngoc Tram, this visit is not only valuable in terms of material support but also a great source of spiritual comfort, helping her feel that she is not left behind amidst the hustle and bustle of life.

The story of artist Ngoc Tram once again rings the alarm about the plight of the unsung artists behind the curtain. When the spotlight fades, what they need most is sometimes just a listener and a warm embrace from colleagues and audiences.

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