Quyen Linh plays with his two daughters. The actor and TV host says he wants to do more to help the underprivileged.

A popular Vietnamese reality TV show featuring poor people at work has the MC thinking about giving more back to the community.

Linh, the MC of several TV shows including Sieu thi may man (Lucky supermarket), Khong gian dep (Nice space) and Vuot len chinh minh (Surpass oneself), was born in Tien Giang Province in 1969 with the name Mai Huyen Linh.

The eldest of six siblings, Linh’s father left when he was six and he had to help his mother in the fields from an early age.

He worked his way through a drama course at the College of Cinema and Theater in 1988.

Seeing ample opportunities in the local movie industry, he took part in the Potential Movie Star competition after he graduated in 1992 and won fourth prize.

That success landed him his first leading role in the feature Khat vong song (The Yearning to live).

In the film, Linh played a soldier who suffers brain trauma, slips in and out of consciousness but yearns to return home.

That year, Linh was among a few southern actors to star in the critically acclaimed TV series Nguoi Ha Noi (Hanoians), adapted from distinguished author Chu Lai’s novel Pho (Street of soldiers).

The film depicts a miniature society, describing the everyday lives and struggles of people living on a street in Hanoi.

His portrayal of Lam, a demobilized soldier who has a strong personality and is hardworking, was warmly received by critics and audiences.

After 15 years in the film industry, Linh has won numerous awards and starred in more than 20 features, almost 100 TV series and many plays and is generally typecast as a complicated, generous character.

He recently returned to the stage, playing the lead in the play Ta quan Le Van Duyet (Duke Le Van Duyet), which opened at Ho Chi Minh City Theater last September.

The play, directed by People’s Artist Doan Hoang Giang, is about Le Van Duyet (1764-1832), who was an outstanding general of the Nguyen Dynasty, the last monarchy of Vietnam.

From 1813-1816, he was the governor of Gia Dinh Citadel, the core of what is now HCMC, and was the main force behind the development of the city.

Duyet was in deep conflict with King Minh Mang, who reigned from 1820-1841, which led to the destruction of his tomb by the King in 1835.

He was posthumously sentenced to nine death penalties.

The tomb was restored by King Thieu Tri in 1841 and now lies on Vu Tung Street in Binh Thanh District.

Playing Duyet, Linh’s first leading role in a historical play, proved to be an enormous challenge for him, as it was difficult to highlight the hero’s stateliness and tensions.

“I can relate to Duyet’s thoughts and feelings, as he is portrayed as a simple, talented man who got on well with commoners. I’m greatly inspired by his heroic, tragic life.”

Ambassador of the poor

Linh is also one of the country’s most popular MCs with a variety of game shows and his reality show Vuot len chinh minh (Surpass oneself) on HTV7.

Poor people from all around the country appear on the show performing some of the things they do in their regular job. They get rewarded with a cash prize and by having their outstanding debts cleared.

Linh said hosting the show for four years has made him into a more compassionate person.

“I didn’t pay much attention to people around me until I did the show. Meeting unfortunate people has made me look back at myself,” he said.

He said it made him want to help poor people - especially disadvantaged students.

“I’ve received enough, it’s time I gave back,” he said.

Linh waded through mud and rain and worked in 40 degree Celsius heat to make episodes of Vuot len chinh minh, as it is often filmed in remote areas.

“Poor people’s affection is my greatest reward,” he added.

Reported by Do Tuan