Listen to Lộ Lộ's story about working in the lottery business.

Travellive had the opportunity to chat with Ms. Lo Lo (Lam Quoc Khai), the founder of Saigon Tan Thoi Lottery - a pioneering organization in transforming traditional lottery into a show rich in folk culture and full of entertainment value.

PV: Hello Ms. Lo Lo, could you share the reason why "Saigon Tan Thoi" was founded?

Momo:From a young age, Lộ was passionate about singing. But as she grew older, fearing she wouldn't sing as well as others, she only participated in films. Around 2015-2016, Lộ received an invitation to work on the pre-production of a lottery-themed film. Of course, making a lottery-themed film requires real-life experience. While gathering information about lottery singers, she truly understood their plight. Despite their talent, the circumstances and societal views made them more reserved in their chosen artistic and cultural activities.

The lottery stage provided them with a safe haven. Watching the lottery singers perform on stage, Lộ felt a strong attraction and believed they could develop into true artists if given the right opportunity. Lộ was right to choose this as their platform. Saigon Tan Thoi was born, a place where those with a love for lottery singing could fulfill their passion. Many long-time folk artists, like La Kim Quyen, who had been singing lottery for 17-18 years, only gained widespread recognition after joining Saigon Tan Thoi.

PV: Why "Modern Saigon"? What does this name mean?

Lu LuLộ thought that lottery games were virtually non-existent in Saigon at that time. If they did exist, they only appeared in plays or comedic excerpts, not as a complete, widely known show. Saigon Tan Thoi (SGTT) was born with the pioneering spirit of bringing innovation to traditional lottery games. From the target audience and the artists to the stage decoration and the performances themselves, everything was changed. Only in this way could a simple folk entertainment form be transformed into a continuous, humorous, interesting, and captivating artistic performance for the audience.

PV: Does SGTT intend to develop the Lottery Show as an entertainment product or one that focuses more on preserving traditional cultural values?

Momo:SGTT doesn't lean heavily towards one aspect, but strives to balance folk culture with entertainment. Folk elements, such as traditional songs and rhymes, are interwoven with a vibrant, trendy entertainment style. The SGTT team constantly updates their repertoire with trending songs and utilizes various show formats such as drag queens, fashion shows, and even beauty pageant simulations. Their performances feature multiple acts, each with over ten lines. They only receive a number after the entire song is sung, and they intersperse diverse short comedic skits to keep the audience engaged.

PV: Saigon has no shortage of different forms of entertainment. Does SGTT Lottery, in particular, and lottery shows in general, have to compete with those to attract customers?

Momo:Competition is inevitable in the entertainment industry, but bingo shows always have their own unique charm. A bingo artist must be talented, charming, and captivating enough to attract an audience. Amidst countless forms of entertainment, SGTT Bingo consistently maintains a stable audience. Each performance averages 300-500 viewers, sometimes reaching up to a thousand.

Many people think bingo shows only feature men dressed as women or transgender individuals singing on stage. But it's not that simple. Bingo singers captivate audiences not only with their impressive appearance but also with their knowledge and talent in various fields such as singing, dancing, acting, circus acts, and magic. Each singer has their own unique style and talent, together creating diversity and appeal for the show.

PV: So, to become a true lottery artist, the singer must also struggle to establish their personal mark on stage so that the audience will remember them. That's not a simple task, is it?

Momo:Honestly, Lộ also made mistakes in recruiting staff. Singing requires talent, performing requires technique, and dancing requires ability. Lottery is a performance art that involves speaking, singing, storytelling, and also requires good looks. Initially, Lộ hired people who were passionate about the profession without focusing too much on talent. This has led to many people appearing now but whose names audiences don't remember.

However, perhaps to succeed in this profession, one also needs a certain innate talent. Later, it became clear that passion alone is not enough. Performers also need additional skills or talents to gradually create their own unique value on stage, gaining public acceptance and attention. Only then can they have more opportunities to develop themselves.

PV: What was the biggest challenge that the SGTT Lottery Troupe faced during its operation?

Momo:I'm very passionate about the stage, but because of that passion, I don't know how to plan my finances. I'd spend 100 million VND on stage decorations instead of saving up. Honestly, before the pandemic, I even had a diamond ring to wear, but now it's gone. The important thing is to be happy with what I'm doing; enjoy each day as it comes. I work based on passion without financial planning, which easily leads to debt, even though SGTT (Saigon's Entertainment Group) is very active.

Interviewer: With such a passion for the stage and art, have you ever thought about stopping?

Momo:Yes, absolutely. After the pandemic, I wanted to give up. But when I looked back at the staff who had been with me, and read the encouraging messages from the audience... I thought I couldn't easily quit. 2018-2019 was the golden age of SGTT, so it had a positive influence in helping lottery troupes in the provinces. The "Lottery Memories" program was created, and although the viewership wasn't high, it brought about positive changes and perceptions, helping the troupes in the provinces to develop. They were welcomed and appreciated wherever they went. Because I'm still bringing value to the community, as long as I have the strength, I'll keep doing it.

PV: How do you envision SGTT developing in the next year?

Momo:Next year, SGTT will be more colorful, with more performances that are well-invested in both visuals and content, bringing more value to the audience. The seating will also be different, allowing them to sit comfortably and with respect. As for personnel, every year SGTT organizes a "Lotto Talent Search" competition to select a few talented and promising individuals for development.

Lộ will also step back to focus more on management. The special thing is, Lộ was previously married and had children. Now Lộ is married again, and her children are grown. People get tired after just one marriage and one role. Lộ's children are now at an age where they are undergoing many psychological and physiological changes, so she needs time to be with them until they are able to understand what she is doing. Lộ is giving herself 5-6 years to focus on building a family.

Lộ also has a plan to develop the talents seen at SGTT according to their own unique style. I think there are many members who could continue to run Saigon Tan Thoi. Every artist has their golden age, and Lộ Lộ is no exception.

PV: Most of the people who come to watch are locals. There are also a few tourists from far away who come out of curiosity. But do you think that bingo will become a cultural product that attracts tourists?

LuMother:Currently, bingo shows are not recognized as a cultural art form that is easy to obtain performance permits for. Obtaining performance permits and developing them into tourism products still faces many challenges. Despite being well-received by many audiences and receiving support from the Department of Culture and Sports, transforming bingo shows into a cultural tourism product is not easy.

Almost every performance at SGTT (Singing and Lottery Troupe) welcomes groups of visitors from Hanoi, or Vietnamese expatriates. SGTT is also fortunate to have gained widespread recognition and received many invitations from countries around the world to perform in various programs. Members of the US, French, and British Consulates also find it interesting and come to watch and enjoy. SGTT is truly grateful for the support of the audience. We hope the public will embrace it more, and we hope that the lottery culture can soon become a type of tourism product that attracts visitors.

PV: Do you have any further aspirations for the development of the Saigon Tan Thoi Lottery Troupe?

Momo:During her most recent business trip to Hanoi, Lộ realized that many people were unfamiliar with bingo. Even though she only performed for an internal event, the audience was very enthusiastic, so Lộ hopes to bring bingo shows to the North. The shows might not be regular, but Lộ hopes that audiences in the capital will get to know and experience this beautiful cultural aspect of Southern Vietnam. As for overseas, the SGTT troupe has already toured extensively. Lộ will also be going to the US to perform soon.

Thank you, Lo Lo, for sharing with Travellive!

Bi Le