Bich Loan

Bích Loan (1949-    ) is a famous Vietnamese singer best known for her interpretations of American rock and roll and pop music.  She is the lead singer of the popular band of South Vietnam known as the CBC.

The CBC, which is an acronym for "Con Bà Cụ", is comprised of Bích Loan on lead vocals, her sister, Bích Liên, her sister-in-law, Marie Louise, also on vocals and her two brothers, Tùng Linh and Tùng Vân, guitarist and drummer, respectively.  Since their inception on July 1, 1963, the CBC has been one of the most respected rock bands from South Vietnam.  During the 1960s and early 1970s, the CBC performed at various nightclubs and venues in South Vietnam which catered primarily to US military personnel and civilians.  With Bích Loan on lead vocals, the CBC became known for their covers of many popular songs originally recorded by such American and British pop artists like Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, The Beatles and The Mamas and the Papas.  For many years during the early 1970s, the CBC headlined nightly at the Au Ma Cabane Nightclub in Saigon.  On May 29, 1971, the CBC headlined at Vietnam's Woodstock Festival of Rock and Roll held in Saigon.  In 1972, the CBC made a cameo appearance in the film, Người Cô Đơn, directed by Hoàng Thi Thơ and starred Thanh Nga, Vân Hùng, Túy Hoa, Ngọc Đức, Huy Khanh, Hoàng Long and Kim Ngọc.  In the film, Bích Loan and the CBC performed the songs written by Hoàng Thi Thơ, Con Tim và Nước Mắt and Tình Yêu Tuyệt Vời.  While on tour in India in the spring of 1974, Bích Loan and her siblings applied for amnesty in Australia.  After being denied amnesty by the Australian government, they were taken in by Tibetan monks in India.  In 1975, they successfully applied for amnesty with the US Embassy and resettled in Houston, Texas.

Bích Loan and Bích Liên 
at the CBC Club in Houston
 during the 1990s

Bích Loan and Tùng Linh of the CBC

For many years, the CBC ran their own successful nightclub in the Vietnamese community of Houston, Texas known as the CBC Club.  In 1986, the CBC released a studio album, Mây Lang Thang, for the Thanh Lan label with solo tracks recorded by Bích Loan, Bích Liên and Marie Louise along with tracks recorded by special guest stars Thanh Tùng and Jo Marcel.  In 1987, Bích Loan and the CBC appeared on volumes 4 and 5 of the Paris By Night video series produced by Thúy Nga with performances of the songs, Giã Từ Đêm Mưa (written by Văn Phụng) and Mây Lang Thang (written by Nam Lộc), respectively.  Bích Loan and the CBC have continued to perform for overseas Vietnamese audiences as well as mainstream American audiences all over the United States.  In addition, they have also performed in concert for overseas Vietnamese audiences in Canada, Europe and Australia.  In 2014, they celebrated their 50th year as a band with a sold out show held in Houston, Texas.  With no signs of slowing down anytime soon, Bích Loan and the CBC continue to be among the top Vietnamese-American bands today.

Link(s):

The CBC Band Facebook Page

Wanbi Tuan Anh

Wanbi Tuấn Anh (1987-2013) was a popular Vietnamese singer and actor.

Born on January 9, 1987 in Ho Chi Minh City, he was given the name, Nguyễn Tuấn Anh, at birth.  Standing at 1.8 meters (5 feet 11 inches) with average looks, to his amazement Wanbi Tuấn Anh was selected to appear on several teen magazines in Vietnam after participating in a photo shoot by a photographer friend while still a student at Trưng Vương High School.  What he lacked in physical frame and conventional good looks, he made up for with a dazzling smile and wholesome innocence that was taken notice by several teen magazine editors in Vietnam.  The publicity generated from various teen magazine spreads then quickly transformed the shy timid teenager into one of the most popular students at his school.  By his senior year, both of his parents had realized how his new found popularity had effected his academic performance and therefore, transferred him to Bùi Thị Xuân High School.

After submitting homemade music videos of two songs he had written, Cho Em and Từng Ngày Qua,  to Video Clip của Bạn, a talent show produced by Trung Tâm Truyền Hình Cáp - Đài Truyền Hình Thành Phố Hồ Chí Minh Television Network in 2005, Wanbi Tuấn Anh managed to catch the attention of several major record producers in Vietnam.  Three years later, Wanbi Tuấn Anh recorded his debut solo studio album, Wanbi 0901, for Ya! Entertainment.  To celebrate the release of his debut album, Wanbi Tuấn Anh performed at a sold out one night engagement held at Yesterday Nightclub in Ho Chi Minh City on November 16, 2008.  The debut album was a smash success spawning several monster hit singles he had recorded and written including Đôi Mắt and Losing You.  The following year, Wanbi Tuấn Anh would win the Làn Sóng Xanh Award for Best New Artist and followed up the success of his debut album with another bestseller, Chuyện Tình Vượt Thời Gian, a duet studio album recorded together with singer Tóc Tiên.  Also in 2009, Wanbi Tuấn Anh made his acting debut with a special guest appearance in the television mini-series, Áo Cưới Thiên Đường, starring Huy Khánh and Ngọc Diệp.  His last recorded solo studio album, Thăng (#), was released in 2010.  Wanbi Tuấn Anh landed the lead role in the feature film, Bóng Ma Học Đường (2010), with Hoài Linh, Trương Quỳnh Anh, Ngọc Diệp and Elly Trần.

On October of 2012, Wanbi Tuấn Anh announced that he was taking time off from his performing schedule due to health reasons.  Apparently, he had suffered from a cerebral hemorrhage.  Wanbi Tuấn Anh had made several trips to Singapore and underwent surgeries performed by renowned physicians there in hopes of restoring his health.  Unfortunately, his condition only worsened.  On July 20, 2013, Wanbi Tuấn Anh was rushed to the hospital in Ho Chi Minh City and had fallen into a coma.  The next day he was declared brain dead.  And on July 23, 2013, Wanbi Tuấn Anh took his very last breath.  He was only 26 years old.

Maya

Maya (1990-    ) is a beautiful Vietnamese singer, actress and fashion model.

She was born on July 13, 1988 in Hanoi with the given birth name as Mai Thu Hường.  During her teenage years, her physical beauty and height enabled her a career as a fashion model.  After high school, she embarked on her singing career winning the Hồ Gươm Xanh Award for Most Promising New Artist in 2008 after the release of her debut solo studio album, Đêm Qua Em Mơ Thấy Anh.  Among Maya's most popular recorded hit songs include Nếu Có Biết Trước (written by Hồ Hoài Anh), Mong Chờ (written by Minh Nhiên), Trả Nợ Tình Xa (written by Tuấn Khanh) and Phút Giây Bên Nhau (written by Hoàng Huy Long and composed by Dương Khắc Linh).  Maya has performed live in concert for Vietnamese audiences all over Vietnam, the United States, Australia and Europe.

In 2010, Maya made her acting debut in the television mini-series, Trái Đắng, which she costarred with Công Ninh, Chí Tài and Huỳnh Đông.  The following year, Maya won the lead role in another television mini-series, Yêu Lần Nữa, starring opposite Minh Luân.  In 2012, Maya costarred in her first feature film, Scandal: Bí Mật Thảm Đỏ, with Vân Trang, the late Minh Thuận, Khương Ngọc and Lan Phương.  For her portrayal of Trà My in Scandal: Bí Mật Thảm Đỏ, Maya was honored with a Cánh Diều Vàng (Golden Kite Award) for Best Supporting Actress in a Feature Film that year.  Maya teamed up with Vân Trang, Khương Ngọc and Lan Phương again in another blockbuster feature film, Cô Dâu Đại Chiến 2 (Battle of the Brides 2) (2014), which also starred Bình Minh and Lê Khánh.  Maya's most recent feature film, Sài Gòn, Anh Yêu Em (Saigon, I Love You), a comedy starring Thanh Nam, Ngọc Giàu, Huy Khánh and Đoan Trang was released in 2016.

During the summer of 2014, Maya who was unwed and visibly pregnant became the target of Vietnam's tabloids.  Maya then left Vietnam for the United States where she would remain for the duration of her pregnancy.  On January of 2015, Maya gave birth to a baby girl.  Rumors persist that the father of Maya's daughter is playboy and diamond heir known as CDK who allegedly had left her for singer Hồ Ngọc Hà.  However, neither Maya nor Hồ Ngọc Hà have confirmed such rumors to be true.

Maya and Daughter at
Restaurant Grand Opening
(Ho Chi Minh City, 2/27/17) 

On February 27, 2017, Maya celebrated the grand opening of her restaurant located in the Phú Nhuận district of Ho Chi Minh City.

Link(s):

30 Sexiest Vietnamese Celebs of 2016  

Kim Chapiron

Kim Chapiron (1980-    ) is a French film director and screenwriter of French-Vietnamese descent.

Born on July 4, 1980 in Paris, France, he is the son of renowned graphic designer and painter, Kiki Picasso.  His younger sister is singer Mai Lan.

At the age of 14, Kim Chapiron along with several of his friends, mainly children of famous French artists including Romain Gavras, Vincent Cassel, his sister, Mai Lan, along with French-Vietnamese guitarist Nguyên Lê founded Kourtrajmé, a French film production company.  In 2006, he directed, produced and wrote the screenplay for his first feature film, Sheitan, starring Vincent Cassel, Olivier Barthélémy, Roxane Mesquida and Nicolas Le Phat Tan.  The film was selected for screenings at several film festivals including Festival International du Film Fantastique de Gérardmer, Toronto Film Festival, Melbourne Film Festival and Tribeca Film Festival and was shown in cinema theaters in over 40 countries.  In 2008, Kim Chapiron directed and wrote the screenplay for his second feature film, Dog Pound, a Canadian production starring Adam Butcher and Shane Kippel.  For his work on Dog Pound, Kim Chapiron would be awarded at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2010 as Best New Narrative Filmmaker.  His third film, La Crème de la Crème starring Thomas Blumenthal and Alice Isaaz, was released on April of 2014.  Like his previous two films, Kim Chapiron also had directed and written the screenplay for La Crème de la Crème.  Kim Chapiron has also directed music videos for French recording artists such as Rockin' Squat, Oxmo Puccino, TTC and Mafia K'1 Fry.  He is currently directing Guyane, a French television series.


Kim Chapiron has been in a long term relationship with French actress Ludivine Sagnier.  Together, they have two children, Ly Lan (b. 2009) and Tàm (b. 2014).

Link(s):

30 Sexiest Vietnamese Celebs of 2016

Hong Ngoc

Hồng Ngọc (1978-    ) is a famous Vietnamese singer.

Nguyễn Thị Hồng Ngọc was born on August 6, 1978 in Bình Phước, Vietnam as the fourth eldest in a family of five children.  Her father was a bandleader and younger brother is singer Khang Việt.  From a young age, Hồng Ngọc and Khang Việt began performing together at weddings and parties.  She competed in both the Tiếng Hát Truyền Hình Ho Chi Minh City televised talent competition in 1996 and 1997 placing fourth and third, respectively.  In 2000, she first rose to prominence with the single, Mắt Nai Cha Cha Cha (written by Sỹ Luân).  Hồng Ngọc continued to enjoy further success collaborating with singer Đàm Vĩnh Hưng on duets of songs such as Vùng Trời Bình Yên (written by Phạm Hữu Tâm), Đường Xa Ướt Mưa and Như Đã Dấu Yêu (both written by Đức Huy).  Among her other popular recorded songs include Chuyện Thường Tình Thế Thôi (written by Lê Quang), Tin Nhắn của Anh (written by Minh Nhiên) and Một Thoáng Hương Tình (written by Hoài An).  Hồng Ngọc has recorded a series of well-received solo studio albums including Tâm Hồn Tình Yêu (2000), Trái Tim Bé Bỏng (2003), Một Thoáng Hương Tình (2004), Em Về (2005), Hồng Ngọc 2007 (2007), Mặt Trái Tình Yêu (2008), Vết Thương Cuối Cùng (2009) and Quá Khứ (2009).  She has performed for live audiences all over Vietnam, Europe, North America and Australia.

In 2002, Hồng Ngọc married musician Minh Nhiên.  Unfortunately, their marriage ended in divorce in 2006.  During her second tour of the United States in 2006, Hồng Ngọc met and married Vietnamese-American nightclub owner, Thomas Nguyễn.  Together they ran the nightclub, Club 102, in Dallas, Texas for a number of years.  Hồng Ngọc is now a mother of two children, a son and a daughter.

Link(s):

• Vietnamese Celebrity Homes Part 5a

Diep Lang

Diệp Lang (1941-    ) is a famous Southern Vietnamese folk opera actor.

Born as Dương Công Thuấn on March 4, 1941 in Sa Đéc, South Vietnam, he began his career at the age of 8 touring with his father, Ba Diệp, who was a musician with the Tam Phụng Folk Opera Theater Troupe.  At the age of 12, Diệp Lang costarred in the play, Lấp Sống Gianh, for the Kim Thoa Theater Troupe.  His first starring role was in the play, Chiếc Nhẫn Kim Cương, for the Hoài Dung - Hoài Mỹ Theater Troupe.  In 1962, Diệp Lang became a leading actor for the prestigious Kim Chưởng Theater Troupe and starred in the play, Người Anh Khác Mẹ.  That role would win him the 1963 Thanh Tâm Award, South Vietnam's equivalent to a Tony, for Performer of the Year along with Bạch Tuyết, Mộng Tuyền, Trương Ánh Loan, Tấn Tài and Thanh Tú.  Among his most popular plays include Tìm Lại Cuộc Đời starring Thanh Tuấn and Mỹ Châu, Đời Cô Lựu starring Bạch Tuyết, Thanh Sang, Minh Vương, Lệ Thủy, Ngọc Giàu, Hồng Nga and Bảo Quốc, Tiếng Hò Sông Hậu starring Tuấn Thanh and Giang Châu, Tâm Sự Ngọc Hân, Tiếng Sóng Rạch Gầm, Cây Lẻ Bạn and Đàn Ca Tri Kỷ.

After the Fall of Saigon, Diệp Lang joined the Sài Gòn II Theater Troupe.  He has since performed for overseas Vietnamese audiences in Cambodia, France, Germany and Australia.  In 1993, Diệp Lang was honored with the recognition of Meritorious Artist, Nghệ Sĩ Ưu Tú, by the Vietnamese government.  For two consecutive years, Diệp Lang won the Mai Vàng Award (Golden Orchid) for Best Actor in a Folk Opera Play in 2000 and 2001 for his roles in Đôi Bờ and Trà Hoa Nữ, respectively.  In 2003, Diệp Lang was honored with the recognition of the People's Artist, Nghệ Sĩ Nhân Dân, by the Vietnamese government.

Phượng Liên and Diệp Lang

Diệp Lang was once married to fellow Southern Vietnamese folk opera actress, Phượng Liên.  Together they are parents of two children, a son and a daughter.  

The Next 25

Here are the next 25 Vietnamese celebs to be featured.  These are a combination of Vietnamese celebrities in several different categories:  Viet Celebs of Pre-'75 Saigon, Overseas Viet Celebs Since 1975, World Celebs of Viet Descent, Celebrities of Vietnam Today, Blast from the Past Viet Celebs and Tributes in Memory of Viet Celebs.

1. Diệp Lang:  Southern Vietnamese Folk Opera Actor

2. Hồng Ngọc:  Overseas Vietnamese Singer

3. Kim Chapiron:  French Filmmaker of French and Vietnamese Descent

4. Maya:  Vietnamese Singer and Actress

5. Wanbi Tuấn Anh:  Late Vietnamese Singer and Actor

6. Bích Loan:  Lead Singer of the CBC

7. Nguyễn Thắng:  Overseas Vietnamese Singer

8. Mai Lan:  French Singer of French and Vietnamese Descent

9. Nguyễn Phi Hùng:  Vietnamese Singer and Actor

10. Hiền Mai: Vietnamese Actress

11. Tùng Giang:  Late Vietnamese Musician, Songwriter and Record Producer

12. Nguyễn Hồng Nhung:  Overseas Vietnamese Singer 

13. Benjamin Tang:  Fashion Model of German and Vietnamese Descent 

14. Mai Thu Huyền:  Vietnamese Actress and Owner of Tincom Media

15. Vũ Khanh:  Overseas Vietnamese Singer

16. Phương Hoài Tâm:  Vietnamese Singer, Former Cinema of Saigon Actress and Businesswoman

17. Dương Triệu Vũ:  Overseas Vietnamese Singer

18. Loan Chabanol: Fashion Model and Actress of German and Vietnamese Descent

19. Quyền Linh:  Vietnamese Actor and Game Show Host

20. Ðoàn Mai Phương:  Overseas Vietnamese Actress, Radio Hostess and Businesswoman

21. Giang Tử:  Late Vietnamese Singer

22. Hương Thủy:  Overseas Vietnamese Singer

23. Jean Claude Tran:  French Cinema Actor of Vietnamese Origin

24. Angela Phương Trinh:  Vietnamese Singer and Actress

25. Anh Dũng:  Overseas Vietnamese Singer and Television Show Host

Trinh Vinh Trinh

Trịnh Vĩnh Trinh (1960-    ) is a Vietnamese singer and the younger sister of the late legendary composer, Trịnh Công Sơn.

Being the younger sister of one of Vietnam's most prolific songwriters who had already reached prominence prior to her birth, Trịnh Vĩnh Trinh was surrounded by music during her upbringing.  Born and raised in Huế, Central Vietnam, Trịnh Vĩnh Trinh did not embark on a professional singing career until her thirties while living abroad in Canada.  The studio album, Tôi Ơi Đừng Tuyệt Vọng, recorded together with her brother, Trịnh Công Sơn, and singer Khánh Ly, released in 1993 would formally introduce Trịnh Vĩnh Trinh to Vietnamese audiences.  Her recordings on that album of songs written by her brother such as Ru Tình, Tuổi Đời Mênh Mông and the title track left a lasting impression with overseas Vietnamese audiences worldwide.  Immediately following Tôi Ơi Đừng Tuyệt Vọng, Diễm Xưa Productions released Trịnh Vĩnh Trinh's debut solo studio album, Hoa Vàng Mấy Độ, that same year.  In a short period of time, Trịnh Vĩnh Trinh soared to the top as one of the brightest new stars in the overseas Vietnamese music industry.  Her collaboration with Diễm Xưa Productions would relocate her to Southern California where she would remain for a number of years during the 1990s.  In 1994, Diễm Xưa Productions released the wildly successful duet album, Môi Nào Hãy Còn Thơm, recorded with singer Tuấn Ngọc.  Sales of the duet album with Tuấn Ngọc along with sales of her next solo studio album, Đóa Hoa Vô Thường, also released by Diễm Xưa Productions in 1994, proved that the worldwide audience of Vietnamese music lovers were deeply enchanted by Trịnh Vĩnh Trinh's more personal deliveries of her famous brother's songs.  Among her most well-received recorded songs written by Trịnh Công Sơn included Bống Bồng Ơi, Cho Đời Chút Ơn, Có Một Dòng Sông Đã Qua Đời, Ru Ta Ngậm Ngùi and Nguyệt Ca.  In addition to songs written by her brother, Trịnh Vĩnh Trinh has also recorded songs written by other prolific Vietnamese songwriters for Diễm Xưa Productions such as Đêm Màu Hồng (written by Phạm Đình Chương), Đêm Xuân (written by Phạm Duy) and Giọt Nắng Bên Thềm (written by Thanh Tùng).  In the solo studio album recorded for Làng Văn, Hãy Ngồi Xuống Đây (1994), Trịnh Vĩnh Trinh once again stepped out of her parameters and recorded songs written by other composers besides her brother including the title track written by Lê Uyên Phương, Xin Còn Gọi Tên Nhau (written by Trường Sa) and Dĩ Vãng (written by Trịnh Nam Sơn).  During her tenure at Diễm Xưa Productions, Trịnh Vĩnh Trinh recorded a series of solo studio albums which included Em Đến Từ Nghìn Xưa (Tình Khúc Trịnh Công Sơn) (1995), Sóng Về Đâu (1999) and Tình Yêu Tìm Thấy (2000).

Since the early 2000s, Trịnh Vĩnh Trinh has repatriated to her native Vietnam.  With the passing of her brother, Trịnh Công Sơn, in 2001, Trịnh Vĩnh Trinh inherited and currently controls the copyrights of his songs, which exceed 600 in total.  After a lengthy absence, in 2014 Trịnh Vĩnh Trinh performed alongside Thanh Lam, Hồng Nhung, Cẩm Vân, Đức Tuấn and Tùng Dương at a concert celebrating her brother's music, Dựng Lại Nhà - Dựng Lại Người, held in Ho Chi Minh City for an audience of over 30,000.  Trịnh Vĩnh Trinh currently resides in the city of Huế, Central Vietnam with her longtime husband, Nguyễn Trung Trực.