Chinese actor Liu Xiao Ling Tong,
known for his portrayal of the monkey king in a very popular Chinese TV series
in the 1980s ‘Journey to the West’, was warmly welcomed in Hanoi on December 25.

At the meeting with students from the Hanoi University of
Social Sciences and Humanities, he answered Vietnamese students’ questions
about his role in the movie “Journey to the West”. The 51-year-old kung-fu
master also mimicked the Monkey King’s martial art performances, which had
earned him international popularity.

He also appeared in a special show at the Hanoi Opera House
the same day and performed a stick-dance which he performed in the “Journey to
the West” movie.

His visit – jointly organized by Vietnamese Ministry of
Culture, Sports, and Tourism and China Radio International - will be part of a
series of cultural events to celebrate 60 years of Vietnam-China diplomatic
relations.This is his second visit after 1998.

The movie “Journey to the west” is adapted from a novel of
the same name that is considered one of the four Chinese classics.

Liu Xiao Ling Tong, 51, was born Zhang Jinlai into a
renowned artistic family in Shanghai. He has been considered “The best actor of
Monkey King”, “Monkey of China”. He had several other acting jobs and is
currently running a company selling cooking and provides educational services for
children. He started to learn kung-fu and Chinese opera with his father at the
age of six. In 1972, he passed the exam and went to Opera School.

At the beginning of 1982, he played the Monkey King in the
TV series Journey to the West directed by Yangjie and produced by CCTV and China
Television Production Center. The film was awarded the special prize of “Flying
Sky Prize”, the first prize of “Golden Eagle Prize” in 1998.

Schedule of Liu Xiao Ling Tong in Vietnam

December 26: Visit to Ha Long Bay and voting for it to
become a natural wonder of the world; meeting the press and photographers

December 27: signature session at Fahasa in Hanoi, 338 Xa
Dan Street, Kim Lien District; interview with televisions; a tour around Hanoi
including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum; meeting with Hoang Tuan Anh, Minister of
Culture, Sports and Tourism

December 28: Flying to Ho Chi Minh City; holding a press
briefing; signing books at Fahasa Tan Dinh, Hai Ba Trung Street, District 3

December 29: Talking with students from the University of
Social Sciences and Humanities in Ho Chi Minh City; online chat with fans;
visiting Galaxy Nguyen Du cinema and meeting fans in District 1

December 30: Returning home

Some pictures of Liu Xiao Ling Tong in Vietnam:

Source: Tuoi Tre/VNE