Vu Thi Dinh (Hoa Tam, 1906-1986)

Vu Thi Dinh was born in 1906 in Mai Dong village (which is now Mai Dong commune, Kim Dong district). At the age of 21, she was a famous singer of traditional cheo village in Hung Yen, then in Ha Noi, Ha Dong and Ha Bac provinces, with the role of a Hue songstress in the play “Tuan ti dao Hue” (The patrol official and Hue songstress), “Xuy Van” in “Kim Nham” play, “Thi Mau” in “Quan Am Thi Kinh” play, etc. She was also well-known for Dieu Thuyen role in Tuong “Phung Nghi Dinh” (Tuong: One kind of Vietnamese traditional performance art), Bang Quy Phi role in Tuong “Tra an Bang Quy Phi” (Judging Bang Quy Phi) and Dao Tam Xuan  role in Tuong “Tram Trinh An” (Beheading Trinh An).

Before the August Revolution, by experiencing and self-learning from previous generations, with her talent and determination, she worked very hard to become a famous actress in both “Cheo” (Traditional operetta) and “Tuong”.

After 1954 - the year of the northern liberation, with further training in art ideology, Hoa Tam made a significant improvement in her art career. A number of plays with her involvement of Hanoi Traditional Opera (Cheo) Association were recorded by art institutions and became the traditional art standards used for training curriculum and research.

As becoming older, she imparted next generations all her skills and techniques with high enthusiasm.

After 60 years of working, Hoa Tam was one of the most identical traditional opera’s singers of Vietnam. She was rewarded with the title of “People’s Artist” in the second phase of conferment. Admiring her art talent and life, Tran Viet Ngu wrote the book “Hoa Tam- traditional opera (cheo) artist” with 300 pages published by Cultural Publishing House in 1979.