People's Artist Thanh Lam performs at the award ceremony at Hà Nội Opera House on March 6. VNA Photo Thanh Tùng

HÀ NỘI — Hundreds of artists were honoured with the titles of People's Artist and Meritorious Artist at a ceremony held at Hà Nội Opera House on March 6. 

The outstanding artists work in various fields such as music, dance, cinematography, radio and television, and theatre. Among them, theatre artists make up the largest number with more than 60 People's Artists. The music field has more than 40 artists receiving the title of People's Artist.

President Võ Văn Thưởng and the State leaders presented the honour to the artists at the ceremony with the participation of Party and State leaders. 

The award ceremony aims to honour artists with outstanding achievement and contribution to the cause of building and developing the national art and culture fields. 

The titles are to recognise the artists’ significant dedication and contributions to developing the culture sector and safeguarding Việt Nam’s traditional cultural values.

The outstanding artists work in various fields such as music, dance, cinematography, radio and television, and stage arts.

There are 125 artists bestowed the People's Artist title including celebrated names such as directors Lê Chức and Trần Lực, actresses Trịnh Kim Chi and Mỹ Uyên, classical musician Bùi Công Duy and pop singer Thanh Lam. 

"The title helps me to review my career," said Lê Chức. "This is the highest title for an artist giving more energy to me for continuing my work passing my knowledge on to the younger generation."

Chức has directed some 50 theatre productions including traditional art cải lương (reformed opera), chèo (popular opera) and plays during his career. He is also very popular with his good voice as a performer on theatre show broadcastings. 

The honourees were selected from 139 submissions for People’s Artist nominees and 348 submissions for Meritorious Artist nominees.

The Meritorious Artist title holders are 264, including veteran play actress Lê Mai, quan họ (love duet) singer Nguyễn Thị Phức, actors Việt Anh and Đại Nghĩa, and cameraman Nguyễn K’Linh. 

Cải lương artist Hùng Minh is the oldest to be awarded People's Artist title. He is 94 years old. Two females, chèo artist Hoài Thu and cải lương artist Hồ Ngọc Trinh, are the youngest to be honoured. 

The award ceremony participants enjoyed the performances of the honoured artist singers such as Thanh Lam, Mai Hoa and Thanh Thúy. — VNS