Ngoc Trinh from 'The Scent of Coriander' leaves hearts aching as colleagues reveal her final moments.

At the 100th-day memorial service for Ngoc Trinh at Giac Ngo Pagoda, many colleagues such as Cong Ninh, Viet Huong, Hoa Hiep, etc., came to light incense and pay their respects. Amidst the solemn atmosphere, they choked up as they recalled memories and images of Ngoc Trinh, who remained optimistic until the end of her life.

The 100-day memorial service for actress Ngoc Trinh, known for her role in "Mui Ngo Gai," took place at Giac Ngo Pagoda on December 9th, leaving many emotional moments for those who had been close to her. The atmosphere, filled with incense smoke and the solemn chanting of prayers for nearly an hour, left many speechless as they recalled the gentle actress who had left the stage too soon. After the ceremony, friends gathered for a simple vegetarian meal, reminiscing about their special colleague.

Among the earliest arrivals was artist Cong Ninh – a close friend, mentor, and colleague of Ngoc Trinh for over 20 years. Meeting her mother, he was visibly emotional, even wiping away tears as he looked at his colleague's portrait. Cong Ninh shared that turning 52 was a critical moment in his own life, when he suffered from a serious illness and nearly didn't make it. Therefore, Ngoc Trinh's passing at this age added to his sorrow. Before leaving the temple, he stood for a long time before the portrait, as if wanting to bid a final farewell.

The relationship between the two was once a cherished story among artists. From a petite, diligent, and bold student, Ngoc Trinh was favored by Cong Ninh, who arranged her participation in many plays of the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Theatre Troupe. Later, they became colleagues, then developed feelings for each other, but ultimately could not take their relationship further. However, they always maintained respect and supported each other like true family. Cong Ninh's wife – voice actress Tuyet Van – also considered Ngoc Trinh like an older sister, fondly remembering her as a strong woman who always radiated positive energy despite life not always being easy.

Besides Cong Ninh, many other close artist friends also dedicated this day to remembrance. Despite her busy schedule, Viet Huong still sent offerings to the temple to light incense for her senior colleague, while her emotions were heavy as it coincided with the death anniversary of artist Chi Tai and the news of actor Thuong Tin's passing. Director Huu Tien shared that he still cannot accept the loss of his close friend of many years. Every time he sees Ngoc Trinh's portrait in her traditional ao dai dress with a bright smile, he remembers the days when the two struggled to build their careers, rushing between filming schedules, performing on stage, and overcoming many challenges together. He said he still feels remorse for missing their most recent meeting, and now they will never have the chance to see each other again.

Actor Hoa Hiep – whom Ngoc Trinh considers like a younger brother – appeared quietly but couldn't hide his sympathy. He recounted how the two siblings secretly bought durian for her to enjoy despite her stomach aches, and how they often went out to eat together when they were both busy with shows. For Hoa Hiep, those seemingly ordinary moments have now become the most precious. He said he will continue to do his job honestly, as his sister once taught him, considering it a debt of gratitude.

Ngoc Trinh passed away at the age of 51 after a period of illness, but her family kept the information private to avoid causing worry. Until her last moments, she maintained her optimism – a quality most frequently mentioned by her colleagues during the memorial service. Audiences remember her for her role as Vy in " Mùi ngò gai " (The Scent of Coriander), the gentle pho vendor who became an icon of Vietnamese cinema in 2006. Whether on the theater stage or in the classroom, Ngoc Trinh left an impression of someone who was wholeheartedly dedicated to her profession, without being competitive or attention-seeking.

Her passing has deprived the entertainment industry of a beautiful energy, and her colleagues have lost a friend, a sister, and a source of emotional support that will be hard to find again. But amidst the solemn incense smoke of the 100-day memorial service, everyone understands one thing: the memory of Ngoc Trinh remains, in the gentlest and most enduring way – just like the person she was.

Cong Ninh did something special for Ngoc Trinh at the 49th day ceremony, hearing it made me cry Linh Trần10:55:54 21/10/2025At Ngoc Trinh's 49th day memorial service, many famous stars in Vietnamese showbiz were present, including actor Cong Ninh, who was both Ngoc Trinh's teacher and boyfriend at one time but is now sadly separated by life and death.