A book featuring portraits and autobiographies of numerous local artists was released in Ho Chi Minh City on August 27.

Titled Cocktail, Giay & Khoi (Cocktail, shoes and smoke), the book, published by Hong Duc publisher, tells the past, ups and downs, secrets, failure and success, as well as the life behind the stage of 33 celebrities including film directors, actors, singers and models.

“Nowadays, the artists’ spirit of serving art has been eroded. Art has been turned into a kind of product for sale before being considered (and worth) a value. Cocktail, Giay and Khoi has contributed to delivering the spirit of serving art from the artists,” traditional music master, professor Tran Van Khe, wrote in the book’s preface.

Actress Dinh Ngoc Diep, editor of the book, said money from the book selling will be donated to disadvantaged child patients, HIV/AIDS kids and the Nu Cuoi (Smile) social eating house in HCMC.