24-year marriage of artist Vo Hoai Nam

Before marrying dancer Lan Anh in 1999, artist Vo Hoai Nam was opposed by his wife's family because he was much older than her.

On his personal page on June 19, the actor wrote a poem to celebrate his wedding anniversary: ​​"Two or four years, playing the same game, not tired yet/ One pretending to be a husband, the other pretending to be a wife to get married/ The fun was long, I experienced four times of pain/ In the utmost joy, tears mixed together". The couple did not hold a lavish anniversary celebration, just gathered around their four children to reminisce about the past. He said: "I think up to this point, the two of us are still together, which is lucky."

They met when Lan Anh was a dancer in the People's Public Security Art Troupe, appeared in the MV "The Impermanent Flower" by singer Hong Nhung, and met Vo Hoai Nam when they acted together in an advertisement. When they were dating, the actor was opposed by his girlfriend's family because of his job, which took him here and there, and because he was 12 years older than his wife. When Lan Anh was pregnant with their first son, the two families finally agreed.

The artist couple organized their own wedding, holding a standing party in Hanoi . The actor said that at that time, buffets were not popular, many older people stood and ate right at the service counter, gossiping: "The way Nam organized his wedding was so funny."

Artist Vo Hoai Nam and actress Lan Anh in their wedding photo in 1999. Photo: Character provided

After 24 years of marriage, Vo Hoai Nam always believed that "family is number one" . The most difficult time in his marriage was when his eldest son was born. At that time, the actor was famous for Criminal Police , receiving a salary of 1.5 million VND per episode, filming in seven days. After deducting travel and food expenses, he said there was not much left. Not wanting his wife and children to suffer, he stopped acting, opened a drinking shop, and has been in business ever since.

The actor praised his wife as a traditional woman, a solid support for him and his children. The two set the principle of sharing everything with each other, from work to finances and social relationships. Vo Hoai Nam let his wife manage finances, own the house and land. He and his wife often remind each other: "Happiness is enough, don't be greedy, don't need a big house, super cars, just a happy family is enough."

Vo Hoai Nam's personality is quiet, thorny, and he rarely says sweet words. The actor admits that he is a patriarch, loves his wife and children in the way a "male" protects his flock and children. However, he does not impose but listens to his wife and children's opinions, and speaks up when he sees they are wrong. Being 12 years older than his wife, Vo Hoai Nam also pays attention to dressing, creating a youthful style to get along.

Artist Vo Hoai Nam and his wife on a trip. Photo: Character provided

He said the couple's greatest asset is their four healthy, well-behaved children. They treat their son and three daughters equally, without favoring or pampering one. When their children make mistakes, he always tries to find out the cause before judging or punishing them. The artist limits beating and scolding because he believes that once he uses physical punishment, the father is powerless. He lets his children freely pursue their dreams and personal interests.

The eldest son, Hoai Vu (23 years old), graduated from the University of Theatre and Cinema, and has participated in several plays. He makes his son feel as comfortable as possible, without being bothered or pressured by his father's shadow. The artist told his son: "Each person has a different fate, destiny and luck. You don't need to worry, just focus on doing your job well."

The second daughter - Hoai Anh - is a student at the Vietnam National Academy of Music. The artist's two youngest daughters are still in high school. Hoai Anh said her father is strict but affectionate. Many times, she felt resentful because her father scolded her but admitted that he never punished her without reason. At home, her father often plays with his siblings, sometimes turning on hip hop music and dancing with his children.

At the age of 58, Vo Hoai Nam enjoys life with his family, spending time taking care of his pub after the pandemic. Despite the encouragement of his wife and children, he has no plans to return to the screen after his role as Mr. Sinh in the movie Flavor of Love .

Every day, the artist finds joy in writing scripts and poems. He still saves several movie scripts on his computer but plans to "leave them there for the rest of his life" because he has no money to produce them. The artist mocks his middle-aged life: "Idle,... absent-minded/ Probably old, so absent-minded/ Idle, silly entertainment/ All... silly dreams".

Vnexpress.net