Vietnamese veteran artist Thế Anh. — Photo dantri.com.vn

HÀ NỘI — Vietnamese artist Nguyễn Thế Anh passed away on Sunday after suffering a heart attack at the age of 81. 

His wife, Nguyễn Thu Hằng, said he had been hospitalised due to a stroke for over four months, and had been unable to recover.

Vietnamese artists and fans have expressed their sadness at the news.

“Thế Anh lived a full life in which he fortunately had a job that he was passionate about. Farewell People’s Artist Thế Anh – a talented artist who always focused on the nation's theatrical industry to pave the way for others,” director Thanh Hiệp said.

Thế Anh, whose real name was Nguyễn Thế Anh, was born on April 3, 1938 in Xuân Phương Commune, Từ Liêm District, Hà Nội. He was a veteran actor of Việt Nam’s film industry with impressive roles in renowned films, including Mối Tình Đầu (First Love).

In 1977 when he was nearly 40, Thế Anh played the role of a 20-year-old student who was a feeble addict. The film was widely acclaimed by the audience and won the artist the Best Actor Award at the fifth Vietnam Film Festival in 1980. In total he acted in over 60 films.Besides film, Anh was also successful on stage. He played many impressive theatrical roles like Doctor Hải in Đôi Mắt (The Eyes), Rubakov in Chuông Đồng Hồ Điện Kremlin (The Clock Bell of Kremlin Palace) and the German spy Stavinsky Nila in Cô Bé Đánh Trống Trận (The Girl Beating the War drum).In 1984, he received the title Meritorious Artist, and was awarded the People's Artist title in 2001."I was born to pursue arts and I'm happy because I have had hundreds of roles, many of which have made an impression on the audience. Not everyone has such an honour. If there was a next incarnation, I would still choose to become an actor. If I had to choose again, I would still choose to be an actor." — VNS