People’s Artist Tuyet Mai (R) and Emeritus Artist Ha Phuong at VOV’s studio.

People’s Artist Tuyet Mai, whose real name is Bui Thi Thai, was born in 1925 in the northern port city of Hai Phong. She was famous for her soft, expressive voice and classic Vietnamese accent.

She first worked as singer, but her life reached a turning point when she became a presenter on the Voice of Vietnam in 1958. Tuyet Mai was the person who read the news about the passing away of President Ho Chi Minh in 1969 and the liberation of south Vietnam and national reunification in 1975. 

Tuyet Mai was affectionately called “sister” by her colleagues.

“Ms. Mai helped train many presenters. She taught us how to sit in front of the microphone, how to breathe, and how to read the news correctly. Tuyet Mai was my great sister and teacher,” said Emeritus Artist Viet Hung, former deputy head of the radio presenters’ section, who was trained by Tuyet Mai.

Tuyet Mai had no formal training in presenting. She taught herself over the years. Mai could present different kinds of programs and texts, including political news and literary works, in a flexible style.

“We were very impressed by Mai’s strong voice when she read news and commentaries. Her voice became more emotional and intimate when she read stories and literary works,”said journalist Tran Duc Nuoi, former head of VOV’s Department for Editorial Secretariat and Audience.

Tuyet Mai was honored with the title Emeritus Artist in 1984 and People’s Artist in 1993. Mai’s reading on the radio of the programs “Night story telling”, “Poem recital”, and “Overseas Vietnamese” kept listeners on remote islands, in cities and towns, and in far mountain villages glued to their radios.  

“I often listened to the radio when I was a high school student. My favorite programs were ‘Night story telling’ and ‘Poem recital’ presented by Tuyet Mai in the evening,” said listener Tran Hong Van. 

“Tuyet Mai’s voice was familiar to me throughout my childhood and early adulthood. Famous poet Luu Quang Vu compared Mai’s voice to silk. She exemplified the standard Vietnamese accent,” said listener Anh Thu.

Even after her passing, Tuyet Mai’s voice will live on in the memories of generations of radio listeners.