Vietnamese entertainment figures gathered at the 7.000-square-meter ancestral temple in Ho Chi Minh City built by artist Hoài Linh to celebrate the annual Stage Ancestors Day on September 22.
Opening the Sanctuary Doors for Stage Ancestors Day
The sprawling 7.000-square-meter compound, known as Tâm Linh Việt, stands as the central gathering place for the nation’s entertainment community during their annual observance as noted by Soha.
Preparations at the property began days in advance. Makeup artists donated a large 168-branch orchid arrangement placed at the main gate, while others cleared the courtyards and arranged offerings according to Kenh14 reporting. Hoài Linh personally oversaw the preparations, organizing ritual spaces and welcoming arriving guests in a traditional colored áo dài reported Soha.
A Sanctuary for the Arts
The temple complex holds significance for Vietnam’s artistic community. Initiated in 2015 and completed after two years of construction, the compound was funded primarily through Hoài Linh’s earnings accumulated in the entertainment industry according to Soha’s historical overview. The architecture features traditional East Asian styling with curved red tile roofs, massive timber columns, and son-thếp gold-lacquered details detailed Soha.
While public access was restricted following the COVID-19 pandemic and limited to close acquaintances of the founder, the 2025 observance marked a return to open attendance as reported by Soha. The site draws performers from cải lương, spoken drama, cinema, music, and dance who gather to pay homage to their predecessors noted Kenh14.
Reunions, Musical Duets, and Family Gatherings
The festivities carried a family atmosphere. Singer Dương Triệu Vũ accompanied his mother to the temple grounds, noting that the gathering brought a festive vui như Tết
spirit to the community reported Dantri. Family members shared meals on-site, with relatives singling out the traditional braised pork with eggs as a favorite dish noted Dantri.
A standout moment occurred when Hoài Lâm—whom Hoài Linh previously mentored and took as an adopted son—appeared alongside his fiancée to greet his adoptive father reported Dantri. The pair performed a duet of the song Thương về miền Trung, drawing applause from the assembled artists and spectators according to Znews.
Performers Across Ho Chi Minh City Honor Their Roots
The annual celebration extended far beyond Long Phước. Theaters and stages across Ho Chi Minh City—including Idecaf, the Thế Giới Trẻ stage, Kịch đoàn Thành Lộc, and the stage managed by Trịnh Kim Chi—hosted their own ceremonial offerings reported Znews.
Artists traveled between multiple venues to pay their respects. Mạc Văn Khoa and his wife visited Hoài Linh’s temple before touring local theater stages reported Dantri.
Reflections on the Artistic Path
For many performers, the holiday serves as an occasion for professional stock-taking. Actor Thu Trang shared reflections on the unpredictable nature of an entertainment career reported Dantri.
Thu Trang reflected that every year when Stage Ancestors Day arrives, she finds this profession very peculiar, as it sometimes brings her laughter, sometimes very joyful days, and at other times forces her to doubt herself, though after coming full circle she ultimately still finds that she loves her craft.
Thu Trang, Actor, via Dantri
Similarly, MC Đại Nghĩa emphasized the communal importance of the date reported Znews.
Đại Nghĩa noted that once a year, Stage Ancestors Day feels like a festival for fellow artists where everyone gathers to express their profound reverence and gratitude to the ancestral founders and predecessors, offering up their prayers and heartfelt vows to preserve the traditions of the craft.
Đại Nghĩa, MC, via Znews
As the day concluded, the gathered performers returned to their schedules carrying renewed ties to their predecessors, cementing a tradition that bridges generations of Vietnamese stage and screen talent.