The family of deceased director Huynh Phuc Dien will give 10 wheelchairs, bought with tribute money given at his funeral, to Cho Ray Hospital, where he spent his last days before dying last month at 39.

Late director Huynh Phuc Dien at the 15th Duyen Dang Viet Nam (Charming Vietnam) gala in Australia in 2005.

Dien’s family said the total money received at his funeral from July 1-3 was worth some US$18,500.

Apart from the wheelchairs, the rest of the money will be donated to support cancer treatment at the Ho Chi Minh City hospital.

The family is in talks with Cho Ray management to decide the best use for the funds.

Dien died on June 30 after a long battle with liver cancer. He was buried July 4 at Binh Duong Cemetery in Binh Duong Province. The director is survived by a wife, a son and a daughter.

He was born June 26, 1970 in the Mekong Delta province of Vinh Long.

He graduated from the School of Stage Art No. 2, which is now the Ho Chi Minh City Stage Art College, in 1989.

He has proved himself a consistent and innovative director, designer and scriptwriter for nearly two decades, having directed many successful music performances and fashion shows throughout the country.

Dien directed nine editions of the the Duyen Dang Viet Nam (Charming Vietnam) gala, organized by Thanh Nien newspaper.

Vietnamese traditionally contribute money at funerals as a tribute and a way to express condolences.

VNN/TN