Phạm Thị Trân

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Phạm Thị Trân (926–976) was a Vietnamese artist during the Đinh Dynasty. She was a dancer, opera singer and a Mandarin at the king’s court. From Hong Châu, now in Hai Hung province, she joined the royal court of Đinh Tiên Hoàng. By the king’s orders, she taught arts to soldiers. She is considered a pioneer of Vietnamese theatre and is often called the first professional theatre artist in Vietnam. She is credited with creating chèo, a popular theatre genre. She was also the first woman to be appointed a Mandarin in Vietnam.