The flight departed from Tan Son Nhat International Airport at around 11:15 pm and was scheduled to transit South Korea before landing in Los Angeles, California.

Tai will be welcomed by his family members in the U.S..

Chi Tai’s portraits are placed at the funeral in Ho Chi Minh City, December 12, 2020. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre

Chi Tai’s portraits are placed at his funeral in Ho Chi Minh City, December 12, 2020. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre

Hoai Linh, another famous Vietnamese comedian who had been Tai’s close friends and stage partner since 1997, was previously asked by Tai’s family to arrange the flight.

Tai’s funeral took place from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm the same day at the Ministry of National Defense Funeral Home in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City.

Thousands of Vietnamese artists and fans arrived at the funeral to pay their last respects to the late comedian.

Vietnamese artists and fans attend Chi Tai’s funeral in Ho Chi Minh City, December 12, 2020. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre

Vietnamese artists and fans attend Chi Tai’s funeral in Ho Chi Minh City, December 12, 2020. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre

His family will hold another funeral at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Fountain Valley, California from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on December 18.

The body will be brought to Peek Funeral Home on December 19, and its cremation will be carried out at 1:00 pm the same day.

Chi Tai, born in 1958, was a famous Vietnamese musician, comedian, and actor.

Vietnamese comedians Hoai Linh (L) and Viet Huong, who were close friends and stage partners of Chi Tai, arrive at the funeral in Ho Chi Minh City, December 12, 2020. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre

Vietnamese comedians Hoai Linh (L) and Viet Huong, who were close friends and stage partners of Chi Tai, arrive at his funeral in Ho Chi Minh City, December 12, 2020. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre

He first rose to prominence in the Vietnamese community in the United States in the 1980s as the lead guitarist of popular band Chi Tai Brothers.

Following his return to Vietnam, Tai was active in several art fields, including comedy, cinema, theater, and TV shows and dramas.

Tai suffered a stroke at his apartment and died in hospital on Wednesday afternoon.

Chi Tai’s body is brought into the Ministry of National Defense Funeral Home in Ho Chi Minh City, December 12, 2020. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre

Chi Tai’s body is brought into the Ministry of National Defense Funeral Home in Ho Chi Minh City, December 12, 2020. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre

People live-stream the funeral in front of the Ministry of National Defense Funeral Home in Ho Chi Minh City, December 12, 2020. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre

People live-stream the funeral in front of the Ministry of National Defense Funeral Home in Ho Chi Minh City, December 12, 2020. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre

Chi Tai’s body is brought out of the Ministry of National Defense Funeral Home in Ho Chi Minh City, December 12, 2020. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre

Chi Tai’s body is brought out of the Ministry of National Defense Funeral Home in Ho Chi Minh City, December 12, 2020. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre

Vietnamese artists leave the funeral home along with Chi Tai’s body in Ho Chi Minh City, December 12, 2020. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre

Vietnamese artists leave the funeral home along with Chi Tai’s body in Ho Chi Minh City, December 12, 2020. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre

Chi Tai’s body is transported from the funeral home to Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, December 12, 2020. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre

Chi Tai’s body is transported from the funeral home to Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, December 12, 2020. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre

Chi Tai’s body is transported from the funeral home to Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, December 12, 2020. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre

Chi Tai’s body is transported from the funeral home to Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, December 12, 2020. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre

Vietnamese comedian Hoai Linh joins a motorcade to escort Chi Tai’s body to Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, December 12, 2020. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre

Vietnamese comedian Hoai Linh joins a motorcade to escort Chi Tai’s body to Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, December 12, 2020. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre

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