Next 20 Viet Celebs: Blast from the Past

VietCeleb proudly presents our newest category for our next 20 featured bios.  Until now, this blog site has paid tributes to Vietnamese celebrities that have fallen into one of the following 4 categories:

Viet Celebs of Saigon Pre-'75:

 (Examples:  Kim Cuong, Phung Ha, Bach Tuyet, La Thoai Tan, Elvis Phuong, Thanh Tuyen)

Overseas Vietnamese Celebrities Since 1975: 

(Examples:  Thanh Ha, Phi Nhung, Lam Nhat Tien, Ai Van, Manh Quynh, Minh Tuyet, Duc Huy, Shayla)

International Celebrities of Vietnamese Descent: 

(Examples:  Tila Tequila, Anh Duong, Tran Anh Hung, Jane March, Bébé Hong Suong, Cuong Vu, Leyna Nguyen)

Celebrities of Vietnam Today:  

(Examples:  Thanh Lam, Ngo Thanh Van, Tang Thanh Ha, Vu Linh, Hong Nhung, My Tam)

Our fifth and newest category will feature Vietnamese celebrities who were once at the top of their game sometime ago, but for one reason or another have all made the decision to step away from the spotlight in recent years.  The selection of such celebrities for this category were based on the inquiries that VietCeleb.BlogSpot.com has received through the fan mail from our readers.  Apparently, these celebrities have been greatly missed as their many fans have unequivocally expressed in their letters.  The fans are highly anticipating to see the day when these Vietnamese celebrities will make their way back into the spotlight where they belong.  And if for some reason, should their wish not be granted, they would at least still want to know the whereabouts of their favorite celebrities at present.  So come on back to the spotlight, you're all greatly missed!

Thuy Hang:  Overseas Vietnamese Singer, Amerasian

Nhu Mai:  Overseas Vietnamese Singer 

Trinh Nam Son:  Overseas Vietnamese Singer, Musician and Songwriter

Thien Phu:  Overseas Vietnamese Singer of French Popular Music,
Amerasian of Vietnamese and Swedish-American Descent 

Philip Huy:  Overseas Vietnamese Singer 

Thuy Vi:  Overseas Vietnamese Singer, Actress and Model 

Ngoc Anh:  Overseas Eurasian Singer of Vietnamese and Belgian Descent 

Phuong Hung:  Overseas Vietnamese Singer,
Eldest Son of Legendary Vietnamese Pop Singer Elvis Phuong

Jenny Trang:  Overseas Vietnamese Singer,
Amerasian of Vietnamese and African-American Descent

Manh Dinh:  Overseas Vietnamese Singer
Who Had Shot to Fame with His Popular Hit Song, Chuyện Giàn Thiên Lý

Phuong Mai:  Former Child Prodigy of Vietnamese Folk Opera Stage,
Overseas Vietnamese Pop Singer 

Kenny Thai:  Overseas Vietnamese Singer 

Kim Ngan:  Overseas Vietnamese Singer, Model and Record Producer 

Bao Liem:  Overseas Vietnamese Comedian 

Phuong Thao:  Amerasian Singer of Vietnamese and Anglo-American Descent 

Ngoc Bich:  Overseas Vietnamese Singer
Dubbed as Nữ Hoàng Nhạc Trẻ (Queen of Pop Music)

Y Nhi:  Overseas Vietnamese Singer, Dancer and Entrepreneur 

Quynh Huong:  Overseas Vietnamese Singer
and Radio/Television Show Hostess

Jimmii JC Nguyen:  Overseas Vietnamese Singer and Songwriter 

Nha Phuong:  Vietnamese Pop Singer,
Former Wife of the Late Musician Le Huu Ha and Younger Sister of Singer Bao Yen

Nhu Quynh (Actress)

For the overseas Vietnamese singer, see Nhu Quynh (Singer).

Nhu Quynh (1954-    ) is a cinema of Hanoi veteran actress.

Born and raised in Hanoi, Nguyễn Như Quỳnh grew up in a household of theater performers.  Her parents were legendary Vietnamese folk opera actors, Tieu Lang and Kim Xuan.  At the age of 17, Nhu Quynh graduated from the Hanoi Conservatory of Theatrical Arts.  Two years later, she made her film debut costarring in Bài Ca Ra Trận (1973) alongside Dung Nhi and Tra Giang.  For her portrayal of Nết in Đến Hẹn Lại Lên, she won as best actress at the 3rd annual Vietnam Film Festival Awards in 1975.  Among her other films during the 1970s include Ngày Lễ Thánh (1976) starring Tra Giang and Tran Phuong, Mối Tình Đầu (1977) starring Tra Giang, The Anh and cinema of Saigon starlet Bang Chau, Hà Nội Mùa Chim LàmTổ (1978) directed by Duc Hoan, Hi Vọng Cuối Cùng (1978) and Duyên Nợ (1978).  In the following decade, her biggest successes in Vietnamese film and television included Đêm Miền Yên Tĩnh (1984), Số Đỏ (1987) and Gánh Hàng Hoa (1989).   

In 1992, Nhu Quynh was cast in a supporting role in the French film, Indochine, starring Catherine Deneuve, Vincente Peréz and Linh Dan Pham.  Indochine would go onto becoming an international success and winning the 1992 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.  Her poignant portrayal of Sao, a peasant woman wrongfully executed by French colonial guerrillas during the French Indochina War in the film would formally introduce the actress to viewer audiences of world cinema.  Nhu Quynh would follow up the success of Indochine with major roles in the last two of French filmmaker Tran Anh Hung's trilogy of Vietnam-themed feature films, the winner of the Golden Lion Award at the 52nd Venice International Film Festival, Cyclo (1995) starring Tran Nu Yen Khe and Hong Kong actor Tony Leung Chiu-Wai and The Vertical Ray of the Sun (2000) starring Tran Nu Yen Khe, Le Khanh, Lê Tuấn Anh and Do Thi Hai Yen.  

During the 2000s and 2010s decades, Nhu Quynh enjoyed further blockbuster successes and critical praises in films such as Bến Không Chồng (2001), Những Cô Gái Chân Dài (2004) starring Anh Minh, Xuan Lan and Thanh Hang, Áo Lụa Hà Đông (The White Silk Dress) (2006) starring Truong Ngoc Anh, Viet Anh and Tu Trinh, Saigon Eclipse (2007) starring Truong Ngoc Anh, Dustin Nguyen and Johnny Tri Nguyen, Cô Dâu Vàng (Golden Bride) (2008), a joint Korean-Vietnamese television production starring alongside an all-Korean cast, Chơi Vơi (Adrift) (2009) which reunited her with three of her former costars in previous films, Do Thi Hai Yen, Linh Dan Pham and Johnny Tri Nguyen, Tháng Củ Mật (2011), Lời Nguyền Huyết Ngải (2012), Noble (2014) and Khép Mắt Chờ Ngày Mai (2015).  For her portrayal as the mother of the lead character, Jin-Ju, in Golden Bride, in 2008 Nhu Quynh was awarded as best foreign actress by the SBS Korean Television Network.  

Nhu Quynh as Madame Linh in Noble (2014),
an Irish film about philanthropist Christina Noble

As one of the most respected Vietnamese actresses of the stage, film and television with a career that has spanned for over 4 decades, Nhu Quynh has been honored with numerous accolades throughout the years.  In 1988, she was officially granted by the Vietnamese government the honorary title as Nghệ Sĩ Ưu Tú (Meritorious Artist) for her exceptional achievements in film and television.  And in 2007, Nhu Quynh was officially granted an even higher honorary title by the Vietnamese government as Nghệ Sĩ Nhân Dân (People's Artist).  

Nhu Quynh has been long married to cinematographer Nguyen Huu Bao.  The couple make their home in Hanoi and are proud parents of two daughters, Dan Huyen and Dan Khue.  

Minh Hang

Minh Hang (1987-    ) is a beautiful Vietnamese singer and actress.

Born as Lê Ngọc Minh Hằng on June 22, 1987 in Ho Chi Minh City, she is the older of two children.  With the divorce of her parents while Minh Hang was 13 years old, she and her younger brother would then be raised solely by her mother for the remainder of her years in adolescence.  Right before her senior year in high school, Minh Hang began to pursue a career in show business.  In 2003, she along with three other classmates formed a pop music group called Pha Lê (The Crystals).  Despite being a newly formed group made up of all girls still in their teen years, Pha Lê quickly gained a growing fan base of locales and within a short period of time, their performance schedule was filled with steady gigs for parties and dances.  This was when Minh Hang had also embarked on her modeling career.  She had been selected as a Calendar Girl for the year 2004 and was photographed for several teen fashion magazines in Vietnam.

In 2005, Minh Hang starred in her first feature film, Gió Thiên Đường.  Her breakthrough role came in the 2007 television mini-series, Gọi Giấc Mơ Về, starring Huynh Dong.  The following year, Minh Hang scored another winner with the feature comedy film, Giải Cứu Thần Chết (Saving the Death), also starring Chi Thien, Dong Nhi, Hong Nhung, Phuong Thanh and Siu Black.  In 2013, she starred in the highly successful television mini-series, Vừa Đi Vừa Khóc, along with Luong Manh Hai, Nha Phuong and Ninh Duong Lan Ngoc.  The following year she would be recognized with a Mai Vang Award, the Vietnamese Equivalent to an Emmy, for Best Actress in a Television Series for her portrayal of the main character, Đông, in Vừa Đi Vừa Khóc.  Among her other television and film acting credits include Ngôi Nhà Hạnh Phúc (2009) starring Luong Manh Hai, Thuy Tien, Lam Truong and Tang Thanh Ha, Những Nụ Hôn Rực Rỡ (2010) starring Thanh Hang, Lệ Phí Tình Yêu (2012) starring Huy Khanh and Bao Giờ Có Yêu Nhau (2016), a feature film directed by Dustin Nguyen.  


As a singer, Minh Hang has recorded a series of successful solo studio albums including Một Vòng Trái Đất (2008), Cô Nàng Đáng Yêu (2010), Giờ Em Đã Biết (2014) and Yolo (2015).  Among her most popular hit singles include 123 Chia Tay, Đến Giờ Phút Này, Người Vô Hình and Cơn Mưa Nhỏ.

Link(s):

Vietnamese Celebrity Homes Part 4
30 Sexiest Vietnamese Celebs of 2016

Hieu Hien

Hieu Hien (1977-    ) is a famous Vietnamese comedic actor.

Born on July 2, 1977 in Ho Chi Minh City, he grew up in a household of performers.  His mother was the late legendary Cai Luong performer and comedic actress Kim Ngoc.  And his father is stage actor Duc Lang.

Hieu Hien began his career as a comedic actor touring with his late mother during the 1990s throughout Vietnam.  He costarred with his mother in numerous comedy sketches such as Tuyển Tiếp Viên, Bà Bầu Liều Mạng, Ra Giêng Anh Cưới Em, Bài Tango Xa Rồi and Người Trong Mơ during the 2000s decade.  In 2003, he landed a small part in his first feature film, Những Cô Gái Chân Dài, starring Minh Anh, Anh Thu, Xuan Lan and Thanh Hang.  Among his most popular feature films include Võ Lâm Truyền Kỳ (2007) starring Dan Truong, Chi Bao, Thanh Thao and Vu Thu Phuong, Nụ Hôn Thần Chết (Kiss of the Death) (2008) starring Johnny Tri Nguyen, Thanh Hang and Hoai Linh, Bẫy Rồng (Clash) (2009) starring Johnny Tri Nguyen and Ngo Thanh Van, Công Chúa Teen và Ngũ Hổ Tướng (2010) starring Bao Thy, Yen Trang, Hoai Linh, Chi Tai, Khong Tu Quynh and Dong Nhi, Long Ruồi (2011) starring Thai Hoa, Tinna Tinh and Phi Thanh Van, Hot Boy Nổi Loạn (Lost in Paradise) (2011) starring Luong Manh Hai, Ho Vinh Khoa and Phuong Thanh, Hello Cô Ba (2012) starring Hoai Linh, Tan Beo and Viet Anh, Bay Vào Cõi Mộng (2013) starring Vinh Thuyen Kim, Kieu Oanh, Le Huynh, Khanh Phuong, Tommy Ngo and Lynda Trang Dai, Lửa Phật (Once Upon a Time in Vietnam) (2013) starring Dustin Nguyen, Ngo Thanh Van, Thai Hoa, the late Xuan Phat and Ngoc Diep, Xui Mà Hên (2014) starring Nhung Kate, Dai Nghia and Ninh Duong Lan Ngoc and Lộc Phát (2016) starring Binh Minh, Nguyen Phi Hung and Ngoc Diep.

Hieu Hien (right) and Wife, Thuy Lien, (left)
on Their Wedding Day (December, 2010)

Married since December of 2010, he is a proud father of two children, a son named Hieu Nhan born in 2012 and a daughter named Kim Hau born in 2015.  

Kathy Uyen

Kathy Uyen (1981-    ) is a famous Vietnamese-American actress, film producer and screenwriter currently living and working in Vietnam.

Born as Kathy Uyen Nguyen on April 28, 1981 in San Jose, California to Vietnamese parents, she is the older of two daughters.  From the age of 12, she developed an interest in acting and began appearing in school plays.  After high school, she relocated to Southern California to attend UC Irvine as a double major in economics and film.  During her senior year, she landed an internship at Dreamworks and worked at Warner Brothers and with Adam Sandler.  Kathy Uyen then moved to Los Angeles and produced a Vietnamese language interview show while working as a bartender.  She starred in a series of independent Hollywood movies such as Finishing the Game:  The Search for a New Bruce Lee (2007) alongside Dustin Nguyen, Skid Marks (2007) and Dead Trees (2012).  In 2008, she made a guest appearance on the popular CBS television series, How I Met Your Mother.  

While in college, Kathy Uyen met Vietnamese-American filmmaker Victor Vu who would cast her in her first Vietnamese-language film, Oan Hồn (Spirits) (2004) costarring Tuan Cuong, Kathleen Luong and Catherine Ai.  In 2008, she had a supporting role in the Vietnamese film, Chuyện Tình Xa Xứ (Passport to Love) starring Binh Minh and Ngoc Diep.  The following year she would be honored with a Cánh Diều Vàng Award (the Golden Kite Award), the Vietnamese equivalent to an Oscar, for best supporting actress in a feature film.  In 2012, she starred in the Hong Kong thriller, Supercapitalist, alongside Linus Roache and Derek Tin.  The following year, she was the screenwriter, producer and star of Âm Mưu Giày Gót Nhọn (How to Fight in Six Inch Heels) (2013) which would land her a second Golden Kite Award, this time for best actress.  Among her other Vietnamese films include Để Mai Tính (Fool for Love) (2010) starring Dustin Nguyen and Thai Hoa, Để Mai Tính 2 (2014) starring Thai Hoa, Diem My 9X and Johnny Tri Nguyen and Bộ Ba Rắc Rối (Triple Trouble) (2015) starring comedienne Thuy Nga.  

Kathy Uyen currently resides in Ho Chi Minh City.  

Link(s):

Kathy Uyen Official Website

Yen Trang

Yến Trang (1984) is a famous Vietnamese singer, actress and emcee.

Born as Nguyễn Yến Trang on April 15, 1984 in Ho Chi Minh City, she began performing at the age of four at Nhà Thiếu nhi Thành Phố Hồ Chí Minh (Ho Chi Minh City Youth Music Venue).  As a youth, she had achieved fame with songs she had recorded such as   
Em và Mùa Xuân, Soi Gương, Hai Ông Lang and Chiếc Khăn Tay.

In 2000, she joined the popular singing quartet known as Mây Trắng along with other singers Ngọc Châu, Thu Ngọc, Anh Thúy and Thu Thủy.  The following year, her younger sister, Yến Nhi, joined the group replacing Thu Thuy.  During her six years as a member of May Trang, the group became the most popular all-girl group in Vietnam releasing a total of six albums, Ước Mơ Thành Sự Thật (2002), Ai Ai Ai (2002), Cho Tim Em Nhớ Anh (2005), Có Chắc Anh Đã Yêu Em (2005), Thiên Thành Nhỏ Bé (2006) and Tình Xanh (2006).  

Yen Trang along with her younger sister left the group, May Trang, at the end of 2006 to join another group, Ngũ Long Công Chúa, which consisted of three other members Luong Bich Huu, Tram Ruco and Minh Trang.  Nearly two years later during the winter of 2007, Yen Trang and Yen Nhi left Ngũ Long Công Chúa to form the duo known as Yen Trang - Yen Nhi.  They would later also be known as Song Yen.  In 2008, the duo released their debut studio album, Song Yến.  The following year, she starred along with her younger sister in the musical movie, Song Yến The Movie 01.  On June of 2009, due to Yen Nhi's involvement in a near fatal auto accident, Yen Trang embarked on a solo career.

Out on her own, Yen Trang furthered her career as both a pop singer and actress.  In 2010, she starred in the hit movie, Công Chúa Teen và Ngũ Hổ Tướng, alongside Bao Thy, Hoai Linh, Chi Tai, Tan Beo, Hieu Hien, Khong Tu Quynh and Dong Nhi.  That same year, she and her sister came out with Song Yến The Movie 02, the sequel to their first musical movie, which featured guest appearances by Ngo Kien Huy and Don Nguyen.  In 2011, Yen Trang released her debut studio album, Ruby.  

Her participation in the Bước Nhảy Hoàn Vũ television show, the Vietnamese version of Dancing with the Stars, in 2013 led to a lead part in the film version of the show that same year.  In 2014, she along with Nguyen Khang co-hosted the fifth season of Bước Nhảy Hoàn Vũ.  

In recent years, Yen Trang has served on the panel of judges on various television talent shows such as Nhảy Cùng Âm Nhạc và Bước Nhảy (2013), Fashionista Vietnam 2014 (2014), Sao Là Sao (2015), Thử Tài Siêu Nhí (2016), Vươn Tới Ngôi Sao (2016), The Face:  Gương Mặt Thương Hiệu (2016) and Siêu Mẫu Nhí (2016).  She has also been the spokesmodel for numerous brands such as Sony Cyber-shot, Sumurai, Xperia Z1, Lipice and Elise.  In addition, Yen Trang has also enjoyed a career as an entrepreneur.  On November of 2014, she along with her younger sister, Yen Nhi, opened a convenience store in Ho Chi Minh City called Mai Market.  And on July of 2015, Yen Trang launched a line of ladies' purses called The Sisters Bag.  

Link(s):

30 Most Beautiful Viet Celebs of 2015



 

Tam Tit

Tam Tit (1989-    ) is a beautiful Vietnamese fashion model, singer and actress.

Born as Phạm Thanh Tâm on March 29, 1989 in Hanoi, she entered show business while still a teenager as an internet model for online gaming sites such as FIFA Online 2, Linh Vương and Fly for Fun.  In 2008, she moved to Ho Chi Minh City and began her career as a fashion model for various clothing lines and magazines.  The following year, she signed as an exclusive recording artist with Tinu Productions, a music production label founded by Nguyen Dang Phuong and singer Dong Nhi.  In 2011, Tam Tit released her debut album.  Among her hit singles include Môi Xinh, Ngày Tinh Khôi, Em Sẽ Quên and Và Em Chờ Anh.  

Tam Tit made her acting debut with a small role in the 2010 television drama, Lều Chõng, starring Nguyen Chi Trung, Thien Tung and veteran cinema of Hanoi actress, Nhu Quynh.  Her other television acting credits include Tiểu Thư Giao Thông (2010), Chạm Vào Quá Khứ (2010), Chiếc Giường Chia Đôi (2011) costarring Nguyen Phi Hung, Ly Nha Ky and Minh Nhi, Sao Đổi Ngôi (2012), Cuộc Chiến Quý Ông (2014) costarring Chi Thien, Luong The Thanh, Nha Phuong and Than Thuy Ha and Tỷ Phú Chăn Vịt (2014) costarring Trinh Kim Chi, Hieu Hien, Cat Phuong and Quach Ngoc Ngoan.  In 2011, Tam Tit starred in her first feature film, Giữa Hai Thế Giới (Between Two Worlds), with Dustin Nguyen and Ngoc Diep. 

In 2015, Tam Tit married Chu Ngoc Thanh.  The following year, the couple welcomed the birth of their first child, a son named Chu Chi An.  

Link(s):

Tam Tit Facebook Page
30 Most Beautiful Viet Celebs of 2015

Cao Thai Son

Cao Thai Son (1985-    ) is a famous Vietnamese pop singer who during the peak of his popularity had made the annual Làn Sóng Xanh (Green Wave Music Awards) list of top ten singers of Vietnam for four consecutive years from 2009 until 2012.

He was born on September 22, 1985 in Hanoi.  At the age of 17, Cao Thai Son began singing professionally.  After two years of performing for local gigs in and around Hanoi, it seemed as if his singing career was going nowhere.  That was until he entered the Sao Mai Điểm Hẹn talent show in 2004, then the second most popular televised talent competition program in Vietnam behind Liên Hoan tiếng hát Truyền Hình Toàn Quốc, as a contestant competing against the likes of other hopefuls such as Kasim Hoang Vu, Nguyen Tung Duong and Nguyen Hong Nhung.  Although Cao Thai Son was voted third place by the audience qualifying him for the semi-finals round, he decided to withdraw from the competition as the national exposure he had been given on the talent show landed him a 5-year contract with HT Productions headed by Hoang Tuan, one of Hanoi's most prominent music producers.  The first prize winner of the Sao Mai Điểm Hẹn talent show that year was Kasim Hoang Vu.  

After two years under contract with HT Productions, in 2006 Cao Thai Son abruptly requested out of his contract to form his own label, CTS Productions.  He rose to national fame with his interpretations of hit songs such as Con Đường Mưa, Tình Yêu Trở Lại, Pha Lê Tím, Yêu Thương Quay Về, Phút Giây Đầu Tiên (a duet with Luong Bich Huu) and Nhớ Rất Nhớ (a duet with Bao Thy).  Among his most successful albums include Dù Thế Nào Đi Nữa (2005), Không Thể Quên (2006), Cool Boy (2007), Phút Cuối (2008), Điều Ngọt Ngào Nhất (2012) and Người Cũ Còn Thương (2016).  

Cao Thai Son had joined the ranks of such superstars as Dam Vinh Hung, Ho Ngoc Ha, My Tam and Ho Quynh Huong in the Vietnamese popular music industry when he made the list from Làn Sóng Xanh, Vietnam's equivalent of the Billboard Music Awards, of top ten Vietnamese singers of the year in 2009.   For the next three consecutive years, he would continue to make the list.  During this period, his popularity had allowed him to tour all over Vietnam, as well as for overseas Vietnamese audiences in Europe, Australia and North America. 

In 2012, Cao Thai Son's name would be blasted all over the tabloids of Vietnam in scandal with an alleged former gay relationship between an overseas Vietnamese named Adam Nguyen and himself.  Adam Nguyen had come forward to the Vietnamese press with alleged claims of being jilted and cheated out of money by Cao Thai Son.  Furthermore, Adam Nguyen had supplied intimate photographs and video clips of the two of them.  Cao Thai Son, to this day, has denied such allegations.


Link(s):

Vietnamese Celebrity Homes Part 3