Bui Xuan Phai's hometown is in Kim Hoang village, Van Canh commune, Hoai Duc district, old Ha Tay province.

Phai’s father, Bui Xuan Ho, was educated under the French colonial system and this brought intellectual reputation to his children.

Phai often acknowledges the perspectives of these famous artists and always reminded himself of the importance of the contours of art regardless of his economic situation.

While being at École Supérieure des Beaux-Arts d’Indochine, Phai was in constant critique over his identity and found himself often involved with the principle instructor of painting.

2 years after graduating from École Supérieure des Beaux-Arts d’Indochine, Phai joined the August resistance in Hanoi and took part in artistic activities in Northern Vietnam from 1947 to 1952.

However, during the same time period, Phai lost his teaching position at the Hanoi College of Fine Arts for supporting Nhan Van affair, a movement for political and cultural freedom and was not allowed to show his work in public until a solo exhibition in 1984.