Trần Hạnh, a renowned Vietnamese stage and television actor, was born on March 12, 1929, in Hanoi. He was the son of a father who worked at the Ngô Tử Hạ printing factory on Nhà Thờ Street and a mother who was a small-sized merchant. When his father passed away due to illness, leaving him orphaned at the age of 8, Trần Hạnh had to learn to live independently and help his mother care for the family.
To support his family, Trần Hạnh worked as a hired shoemaker on Tràng Tiền Street while also participating in drama activities at the Youth Club of Hanoi Youth Union. The club became a platform for him to connect with many friends who would later become famous names in the Vietnamese theater industry, including People's Artists Doãn Hoàng Giang, Trọng Khôi, and Đoàn Dũng.
Trần Hạnh's stage career flourished at the Hanoi Drama Theater, where he played memorable roles and won various Gold and Silver Awards at national theater festivals. His most notable roles include playing the historic patriot and poet Nguyễn Trãi in the poetic play Lam Sơn Tụ Nghĩa, which won the Gold Medal at the National Drama Festival, and leading roles in the plays "Tiền tuyến gọi" and "Âm mưu và tình yêu" directed by Nguyễn Đình Nghi.
In "Người Hà Nội," playwright Lưu Quang Vũ praised Trần Hạnh's performance as Nguyễn Trãi, stating that only he could emanate a grandness specific to the Hanoian personhood. General Secretary Trường Chinh also praised his performance in "Âm mưu và tình yêu," saying it was "very romantic."
Trần Hạnh retired from the Hanoi Drama Theater in 1989 and pursued a successful film career, making his debut in "Chiếc bình tiền kiếp" by Nguyễn Hữu Phần. He went on to participate in many films, including "Tướng về hưu," "Hãy tha thứ cho em," "Cỏ lau," "Người đàn bà thứ hai," and "Làng nổi." His first TV role was the role of Mr. Cần in the series "Cuốn sổ ghi đời" by Tất Bình.
Throughout his career, Trần Hạnh won numerous awards, including the Best Actor award at the 11th Vietnam Film Festival in 1996 for his role in the film "Nước mắt đàn bà" and the Contribution Award at the 2010 National Television Festival for his role in the film "Ngõ lỗ thủng." In 2017, he participated in "Cha cõng con" in the role of a blind man.
Trần Hạnh's characters have left a lasting impression on Vietnamese viewers, known for their often ascetic, pitiful, and gentle personality. He passed away at his home on March 4, 2021, at the age of 92, leaving behind a legacy as a beloved actor and a national treasure.
