Retirement and reflections of Chí Trung

Chí Trung, the former Director of the Youth Theatre of Vietnam, has shared personal reflections regarding his life and finances following his 2022 retirement.

Regarding his financial status, the veteran artist clarified that he receives a monthly state pension of over 12 million VND, which he describes as sufficient for basic living expenses. While he maintains several billion VND in savings for emergencies, he denied rumors of possessing hundreds of billions VND. To fund personal interests and travel, he continues to accept lawful professional engagements in film, television, and advertising.

At age 65, Chí Trung also discussed his lifestyle and philosophy on aging. He maintains a disciplined routine of running and swimming and expressed a desire for a simple existence. He noted a preference for cremation and requested that his ashes be released into a river or the sea to avoid the unnecessary expense of a traditional grave for his children. He emphasized that his intended legacy is not material wealth, but rather “gratitude.”

Recently, Chí Trung has been traveling through Northern Europe, including Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland. While visiting Oslo, he commented on the high cost of living, noting that a bowl of phở can cost approximately 255 Norwegian kroner. Addressing public speculation regarding his travel expenses, he clarified that his trips are funded by savings accumulated through decades of professional work, emphasizing his philosophy of using his own savings to experience the world rather than relying on his children.