Meeting Việt Linh in one of Saigon’s most famous coffee shops was an encounter I will never forget. The sweltering heat didn’t dampen the excitement of sitting across from one of Vietnam’s most celebrated filmmakers. She came with her husband, and as she didn’t speak English, I relied on my wonderful translator, Vy Dong.

I have admired Việt Linh’s work for years and had the honor of showcasing her film 1988 Travelling Circus during the first year of our Star Nha Ease programme. Sitting there with her, talking over coffee, was overwhelming in the best way. She spoke about her experience as one of the only female filmmakers of her era. When asked how she navigated that challenge, her words struck me deeply: it was never about being a woman, she said, but about doing the job well, with passion. My heart melted, and my admiration for her grew even more.

She shared that due to health reasons, she could no longer make films, as the demands were immense, and had instead moved into theatre. She invited me to her show opening in February 2025, though I was unfortunately abroad at the time. She made it clear her door is always open and even teased about visiting the UK for Star Nha Ease. Her simple, powerful words, “just get the job done well” hit me like a lightning bolt and left me determined to focus fully on my work. This was, without doubt, one of the most inspiring encounters I had during my research trip. I plan to see her again and catch one of her theatre productions in 2026.