Ngải was born in 1902. Ngải's father was Đán. His paternal grandparents were Tụy and Nghiêm Nguyễn. He had two brothers and two sisters, named Nghiên, Yêm, Khuê and Ty. He was the third oldest of the five children. He died due to giỗ 24/7 âm lịch at the age of 37 on July 24th, 1939. He was buried in Cửa Mưỡu.