Điệp was born in 1931. Điệp's father was Phủng and his mother was Sung Nguyễn hữu. His paternal grandparents were Huyên and Ruẩn Trần. He had two brothers and two sisters, named Phê, Lam, Nhạc and Ngoan. He was the oldest of the five children. He died due to giỗ 14/5 âm lịch. He was buried in Mả Bia.