Luu Binh and Duong Le is a famous cheo play about two young men. One is from Son Tay (now Ha Tay Province) and the other from Bac Ninh Province. They study with the same master teacher. The rich Luu Binh neglects his studies for a profligate life. The poor Duong Le continues to study in earnest. Duong Le passes the examination and prospers as a mandarin, while Luu Binh fails. Luu Binh’s failure is not his only misfortune. He continues his drinking and gambling, becomes very poor, and lives alone in misery. Finally, he approaches Duong Le for help.
Duong Le is aware of Luu Binh’s former opulent life style and thinks that if he gives Luu Binh money, his friend will only continue his bad habits to the neglect of his studies, and then his condition will worsen. Duong Le pretends to be a disloyal friend: he refuses to receive Luu Binh and drives him away. On the other hand, he asks his concubine. Chau Long, to take some gold, follows Luu Binh, and care for him in a manner which would allow him to pursue his studies. Having been chased from the home of his former friend, Luu Binh is deeply ashamed and resolves to take lip his education seriously. Chau Long helps Luu Binh in daily life. Three years later, he passes his exams, but when he returns to his village, Chau Long has disappeared. Duong Le sends his men to congratulate the new laureate with gifts and invites him for a visit. Luu Binh plans to use the visit to chastise his friend for abandoning him in time of desperate need but then offering friendship in time of success. When Luu Binh arrives, Duong Le asks Chau Long to greet his friend. Only then does Luu Binh realize that Duong Le, through his dear concubine, gave him the help he needed. This typical cheo play combines lyricism and dramatics.
