Hữu Mười

Distinguished Artist Hữu Mười—born Nguyễn Hữu Mười on September 9, 1957—stands as a celebrated figure in Vietnamese cinema, known for his work as an actor, director, and educator. His path to stardom began unexpectedly when he responded to a casting call at the National Theatre and caught the attention of veteran performer Phi Nga. He went on to become one of only sixteen graduates from the Hanoi University of Theatre and Performing Arts in the 1970s.

Mười’s defining moment arrived in 1982 when he portrayed Teacher Thứ in Phạm Văn Khoa’s classic *Làng Vũ Đại Ngày Ấy*, an adaptation of Nam Cao’s celebrated stories. The role catapulted him into the national spotlight. Two years later, he starred as Khang in Đặng Nhật Minh’s acclaimed film *When the Tenth Month Comes*, earning the Best Actor prize at the 7th Vietnam Film Festival.

Following this triumph, Mười spent seven years in the Soviet Union on a directing scholarship. Returning home, he transitioned to directing in the late 1990s, often teaming up with his former classmate Vũ Đình Thân. His most notable directorial achievement remains *Mùi cỏ cháy* (2012), a work that further cemented his legacy in Vietnamese arts.