At the age of 87, renowned singer Minh Cảnh still struggles to make ends meet in a foreign land.

Recently, in a conversation with an audience in the US, the renowned singer Minh Canh, living quietly at the age of 87, shared the feelings of an elderly artist in a foreign land: "I still have to struggle to make ends meet."

Born in 1937, Minh Cảnh is a name synonymous with the golden age of Southern Vietnamese cải lương (traditional opera) in the 1960s and 1970s. With his resonant voice, subtle intonation, and creative and captivating style of singing vọng cổ (traditional Vietnamese folk songs), he was known as: "The Master Singer," "The Foremost Singer with Long Vocal Ranges"... The press and experts of the time showered Minh Cảnh with praise, bestowing titles such as "Cải Lương Prodigy," "The Voice of the New Wave" – an irreplaceable icon of Vietnamese cải lương art.

But at 87, living in America, artist Minh Canh no longer enjoys the glory of the past in his daily life. "I can still eat and drink normally. But it's very difficult to go on shows. This is America, not Vietnam, where there are many Cai Luong shows," he shared honestly, with a touch of melancholy.

Vietnamese artists in America: "We have to struggle to make ends meet."

Artist Minh Canh doesn't shy away from talking about the realities of his life and that of many of his colleagues abroad. "There are very few shows here. Only wealthy people organize concerts for weddings, funerals, and other special occasions… only then do they invite artists to sing. Ticketed shows like those in Vietnam are very rare," he said.

He recounted a heart-wrenching story: "I have a younger brother who used to be a stage manager. After moving to the US, he worked as a waiter in a restaurant, but business is very slow these days, and he's in a difficult situation. Luckily, some overseas Vietnamese have helped him out, so he's just getting by."

Behind the spotlight lie the quiet lives of artists, struggling to make a living in a foreign land. Despite once being big names, loved by millions, they still grapple with daily life, especially after their fame fades.

Despite living in the US, Minh Canh's eyes are always fixed on his homeland. He said emotionally, "I still want to return to Vietnam to perform, but I have to see how my financial situation and health are. To be honest, even here I have to struggle to make ends meet. Everyone knows their own circumstances."

The longing for his homeland, for the stage, for the sound of the music, the lights, and the applause is not easily extinguished. He yearns to return if circumstances permit. It is not just a return to the audience, but also a homecoming for an artist's soul whose passion has never faded.