HCM CITY — Artists Ngo Mỹ Uyen and Le Loc of HCM City have won top prizes at the 2021 Southern Drama Festival launched by the Performing Art Department under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Meritorious Artist Uyen won gold prize for the Best Actress in Tình La Dieu Bong (Woman in Love), a production on family issues staged by the HCM City Small Theatre.  

Uyen’s performance captured the hearts of judges and audiences during the 13-day event. 

"My staff and I have worked to improve both skills and creativity to advance Vietnamese drama in the southern style,” said Uyen, director of HCM City Small Theatre – the city’s first private theatre. 

“Our artists love offering experimental plays using modern techniques. Therefore, we have to improve our stage experience and life skills to bring our art closer to audiences.” 

Uyen has 20 years' experience in the industry. She works as a director and producer who combines drama, tuồng (classical drama), cải lương (reformed opera), contemporary dance and music. 

Uyen’s chief competitor was young actor Le Loc of Phu Nhuận Drama Troupe – one of the city’s leading private theatres. 

Loc won gold prize for Best Actor in Ngã Rẽ (Turn of Life), a play on urban youth and their conflicts in love, family life and their careers.    

The two were among 40 artists who were honoured at the festival’s award ceremony on Monday at HCM City’s Trần Hữu Trang Cải Lương Theatre. 

The organisers also gave top prizes for Best Play, Best Director and Best Scriptwriter. 

The festival attracted 300 artists from 20 State-owned and private theatres and troupes in the region. 

“Our festival has discovered and encouraged new talents in Vietnamese drama to develop their art,” said People’s Artist and theatre director Trần Minh Ngọc, chairman of the festival’s board. — VNS