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Tuesday, January 30, 2018

20 Hottest Viet Celebs of 2017

Now that 2017 is over, here's a look back with a tribute to 20 of the hottest Viet Celebs of 2017.  This is in continuation of our annual series which began with 30 Most Beautiful Vietnamese Celebs of 2015, followed by 30 Sexiest Vietnamese Celebs of 2016.

Ladies First....

1. Ánh Minh:  Overseas Vietnamese Singer

2. Chi Pu:  Vietnamese Actress


3. Gaile Lok:  Hong Kong Model and Actress of Chinese and Vietnamese Descent

4. Hà Kiều Anh:  Former Miss Vietnam and Vietnamese Actress

5. Hiến Mai:  Vietnamese Actress

6. Mai Thu Huyền:  Vietnamese Actress and Film Producer

7. Mayko Nguyen:  Canadian Actress of Vietnamese Descent
8. Michelle Phan:  Vietnamese-American YouTube Celebrity Personality, Makeup Artist and Entrepreneur

9. Ngô Mỹ Uyên:  Magician and Former Miss Vietnam Titleholder

10. Ngô Thanh Vân:  Cinema of Vietnam Actress and Overseas Vietnamese Singer

11. Ngọc Quyên:  Vietnamese Actress and Model

12. Nhật Kim Anh:  Vietnamese Actress and Singer
13. Séverine Ferrer:  French Television Host, Singer and Actress of Italian and Vietnamese Descent



14. Ý Lan:  Overseas Vietnamese Singer


And Here Are the Men....


15. Andy Quách:  Overseas Vietnamese Singer

16. Benjamin Tang:  International Male Model of German and Vietnamese Descent
17. Huy Khánh:  Vietnamese Actor

18. Huy Vũ:  Overseas Vietnamese Singer

19. Johnny Trí Nguyễn:  Vietnamese-American Actor

20. Ngô Kiến Huy:  Vietnamese Actor and Singer

Link(s):


Sunday, January 28, 2018

Nhan Phuc Vinh

Nhan Phúc Vinh (1986-    ) is a famous Vietnamese actor and male model.

Nhan Phúc Vinh was born on June 27, 1986 in Cần Thơ, a town located on the Mekong Delta in southern Vietnam.  He graduated from the University of Cần Thơ in 2008 majoring in physical education.  Shortly after embarking on a career as a physical education teacher in Cần Thơ, Nhan Phúc Vinh was selected to travel out to Ho Chi Minh City where he would compete as a finalist at a national male model search competition.  Although Nhan Phúc Vinh did not win the competition, he did manage to catch the eye of a major talent scout with Babyface Talent & Model Management of Ho Chi Minh City who happened to be in the audience.  Immediately after the competition, that same talent scout approached Nhan Phúc Vinh backstage with a modeling contract.  After signing with Babyface Talent & Model Management, Nhan Phúc Vinh's modeling career took off at a rate comparable to that of a speeding bullet.  In just a matter of months, Nhan Phúc Vinh had transformed from being a virtual unknown local in the Mekong Delta province to becoming the new toast of the town in Ho Chi Minh City's fashion industry.  By the end of 2008, Nhan Phúc Vinh had become one of the most recognizable men in Vietnam as his photographs were featured on countless billboards and men's fashion magazines throughout the country.  With an athletic build standing at 6 feet tall, this strikingly handsome young man had also become one of the most popular runway male models in Ho Chi Minh City.






Nhan Phúc Vinh and Chi Pu
in the Television Drama Series, Vẫn Có Em Bên Đời (2014)
The overnight success in Nhan Phúc Vinh's career as a fashion model made him leave his hometown of Cần Thơ and relocate to Ho Chi MInh City.  Despite how lucrative his achievements were in the fashion industry, Nhan Phúc Vinh never lost sight of his dreams of pursuing an acting career.  He managed to work around his grueling schedule as a fashion model in Ho Chi Minh City and found time to further his education as a student at the prestigious film academy, CĐSK Điện Ảnh.  Nhan Phúc Vinh began his professional acting career in television landing roles on various Vietnamese television drama series such as Truy Tìm Kho Báu (2011), Hương Bưởi (2012) starring Lê Bê LaChào Tình Yêu (2012) starring Phương Thanh and Trung Dũng and Những Cô Nàng Độc Thân Làm Mẹ (2012) starring Phi Thanh Vân, Elly Trần and Huy Khánh.  Nhan Phúc Vinh earned significant critical acclaim starring opposite model/singer/actress Tâm Tít in the Vietnamese television drama series, Sao Đổi Ngôi (2012), for which he would win his first Mai Vàng (Golden Orchid Award) for Best Actor in a Motion Picture or Television Drama Series for his portrayal of identical twin brothers, Hưng and Ba.  He would repeat this feat the following year with a second consecutive win of a Golden Orchid Award in the same category for his portrayal of the main character, Hải, in his first feature film, Đường Đua (Racing Road) (2013), an action thriller produced by actress Hồng Ánh's film studio, Blue Productions.  That same year, Nhan Phúc Vinh was also honored with an HTV Award in the category for Favorite Film Actor of 2013.  Among his other notable television acting credits include the following series, Hồn Đá (2013) starring Huỳnh Đông and Trịnh Kim ChiLy Hôn (2013) starring Thân Thúy HàMinh Khuê and Lê KhánhBiệt Thự Trắng (2014) starring Diễm My, Bản Năng Thép (2014) starring Ngọc LanVẫn Có Em Bên Đời (2014) starring Chi PuThám Tử Miệt Vườn (2015) starring Don Nguyễn and Ngọc DiệpCô Thắm Về Làng (2015), Cô Thắm Về Làng 2 (2016) and Người Đẹp Lỡ Thì (2017) starring Phương Thanh and Thanh Thủy.  Currently celebrating his 10th year as a professional actor, Nhan Phúc Vinh is considered today as one of Vietnam's hottest leading men of film and television.

Link(s):

30 Sexiest Vietnamese Celebs of 2016

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Michelle Phan

Michelle Phan (1987-    ) is a famous Vietnamese-American YouTube personality, make-up artist and entrepreneur.

She was born on April 11, 1987 in Boston, Massachusetts to Vietnamese immigrant parents.  Michelle Phan has an older brother, Steve Phan, and a younger sister, Christine Phan.  Her father worked as a flooring specialist, while her mother was a manicurist.  Money was always tight in the Phan household largely due to her father's gambling addiction and unstable work.  When Michelle Phan turned 6, she and her family relocated to Tampa, Florida.  By then her father's gambling had spun out of control causing her parents to ultimately divorce.  Despite such tensions at home, Michelle Phan managed to graduate with honors from Tampa Bay Technical High School in 2005 and was accepted into Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida.

During her freshman year in college, Michelle Phan created a personal blog about makeup and beauty tips on the Xanga platform with the username, RiceBunny.  Within just two years, her blog would acquire a total of 10,000 regular readers.  In 2007, Michelle Phan began uploading her vlogs on her own YouTube channel.  In 2009 and 2010, two of Michelle Phan's tutorial vlogs on eye makeup titled as How To Get Lady Gaga's Eyes were featured on BuzzFeed which significantly contributed to the videos going viral boosting the total number of subscribers to her YouTube channel to over a million.  Michelle Phan was then well on her way to becoming one of the brightest young stars on YouTube.  At present, Michelle Phan's YouTube channel has over 8 million subscribers, 1.1 billion lifetime views and 385 uploaded videos. 

In 2009, Michelle Phan was approached by one of her biggest fans, Kerry Diamond, who was then also the vice-president of publicity for Lancôme.  Shortly thereafter, Michelle Phan became Lancôme's official video makeup artist.  In 2011, she launched and co-founded My Glam, which has since been renamed as Ipsy, a monthly beauty products subscription service.  The following year, Michelle Phan became a YouTube advertising partner and launched FAWN, a YouTube multi-channel network.  On August of 2013, Michelle Phan launched her own cosmetics line with L'oreal called Em, which in Vietnamese means "little sister".  Although the cosmetics line did not do so well, Michelle Phan managed to bounce back the following year with the launching of ICON, an online and television network dedicated to beauty, lifestyle and entertainment.  In 2015, Michelle Phan raised $100 million USD for Ipsy making her company's total value at $500 million USD.  According to CelebrityNetWorth.com, Michelle Phan's total worth is $50 million USD.

Michelle Phan is in a long-term relationship with male model, Dominique Capraro.

Link(s):


Saturday, January 13, 2018

Huy Vu


Huy Vũ (1975-    ) is a popular overseas Vietnamese singer.

Born as Hoàng Duy Vũ on October 10, 1975 in Nha Trang, Vietnam, he grew up as the oldest in a family of three children.  At the age of 15, Huy Vũ along with his family left their native Vietnam for the United States resettling in Southern California.  While in high school, Huy Vũ actively participated in performing arts and took part in many talent programs organized by the Vietnamese Club.  Immediately after graduating from high school, Huy Vũ enlisted in the United States Army and served for a total of 6 years.  In 1998, Huy Vũ began recording for the overseas Vietnamese music production label, Người Đẹp Bình Dương, and released his debut solo album, Những Lời Dối Gian.  The instant success gained from his debut album prompted executives at Người Đẹp Bình Dương to produce and release a series of continuous studio albums for the young singer during the next several years.  Among his top selling solo studio albums released under the Người Đẹp Bình Dương label included Giã Từ Dĩ Vãng (1998), Tình Đắm Say (1999), Đánh Mất Đêm Vui (1999), Cafe Một Mình (2000) and Trái Tim Hoang Vu (2000).



In the early 2000s, Huy Vũ switched labels from Người Đẹp Bình Dương to Tình Productions and enjoyed further success.  Huy Vũ's popularity would continue to grow during his tenure at Tình Productions as Vietnamese audiences were now able to see him on music videos through his many appearances on the label's music video series, Tình Yêu, Quê Hương và Tuổi Trẻ.  Among his most popular songs recorded for Tình Productions include Tình Đơn PhươngTình Đơn Phương 2 (both written by Chu Minh Ký), Tôi Ngàn Năm Đợi (written by Nguyễn Kim Tuấn) and Kiếp Ca Sầu, a duet recorded with singer Minh Tuyết.  He has also recorded duets with various other artists including Diễm Liên, Hạ Vy, Thúy Khanh and Andy Quách.  In 2013, Huy Vũ formed his own music label and released a well-received solo studio album, Phai, distributed by Thúy NgaHis sensual, soulful singing voice along with dashing good looks have made Huy Vũ an audience favorite at live concert shows for Vietnamese communities all over the United States and abroad.

On September 21, 2011, Huy Vũ married fellow singer Quỳnh Vi in a lavish wedding ceremony held in Orange County, California.  The couple live in Garden Grove, California.  In addition to his lucrative singing career, Huy Vũ is the owner of a successful real estate brokerage firm, First Elite Realty & Mortgage.  He holds a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of California, Irvine and an MBA degree from the University of Phoenix.

Link(s):




Monday, January 1, 2018

Trang My Dung

Trang Mỹ Dung (1951-    ) is a famous Vietnamese singer.

Trương Thị Mỹ Dung was born in 1951 in Phan Thiết, South Vietnam.  At the age of 6, she and her family relocated to Saigon.  In 1967, she entered a national talent competition sponsored by South Vietnam's national television network, Đài Truyền Hình Sài Gòn, under the stage name, Mỹ Dung.  Although she didn't win, she did manage to spark the attention of prominent musician, Anh Bằng, who was serving on the panel of judges at the competition.  Instantaneously, Anh Bằng saw that she had star potential and persuaded her to enroll at Lê Minh Bằng Music Academy, which he had founded along with his two other musician friends, Lê Dinh and Minh Kỳ.  While studying at Lê Minh Bằng, she became a member of the singing quartet, Tạp Lục, which was founded by musician Tùng Lâm and also included other singers Trang Thanh Lan, Trang Kim Yến and Trang Kim Phụng.  This was when she added "Trang" to her stage name and became known as Trang Mỹ Dung.  The quartet performed weekly on a national radio broadcasting network in South Vietnam.  Shortly thereafter, Trang Mỹ Dung was introduced by Anh Bằng to the executives at Asia - Sóng Nhạc record label where she would begin her career as a recording artist.  The first song she recorded for the label was Hai Mùa Mưa, written and composed by Anh Bằng.  Released as a single, the song became an instant bestseller in South Vietnam and turned Trang Mỹ Dung into a star.

During the early 1970s, Trang Mỹ Dung was one of the busiest recording artists in South Vietnam.  She collaborated with numerous record labels including Việt Nam, Nhạc Ngày Xanh, Capitol, Hồng Hoa, Thiên ThaiKim Đằng and Premier.  Trang Mỹ Dung also teamed up with male vocalist, Giang Tử, and recorded a string of duet hit singles such as Chuyện Loài Hoa Dang Dở (written by Y Vũ), Không Phải Tại Chúng Mình (written by Ngọc Văn) and Đôi Mắt Người Xưa (written by Ngân Giang).  Her popularity led to live performances all over Central and Southern Vietnam and Laos.  In the winter of 1973, Trang Mỹ Dung's singing career came to a screeching halt after an automobile accident while on tour in Central Vietnam shattering her jaw bone which require surgery and nearly a year to recover.   

Like most singers from South Vietnam of her era, Trang Mỹ Dung's career experienced a standstill during the first several years after the Fall of Saigon.  Unlike many of her peers who emigrated overseas, Trang Mỹ Dung chose to remain in Vietnam despite the harsh conditions under the new communist regime.  When Vietnam's communist government finally eased up on regulations allowing nightclubs and cabarets to reopen during the 1980s, Trang Mỹ Dung then resumed her career full force.  After the passing of her mother in 1997, she decided to give her singing career a break for several years.  In 2004, Trang Mỹ Dung released a solo studio album, Trả Lại Thời Gian.  Four years later, she recorded another solo studio album, Giọt Buồn Trong Mưa, for the Rạng Đông music label.  And in 2014, Trang Mỹ Dung recorded a duet album, Đèn Đêm Phố, with singer Linh Vũ for the Apple Films label. 

Phương Dung (left) and Trang Mỹ Dung (right) in 2014 
In recent years, Trang Mỹ Dung has made her return to the stage performing in live concert shows with fellow veteran singers such as Vân Khánh, Elvis Phương, Ánh Tuyết, Phương Dung and Giao Linh.  A devout Buddhist, she performs often for charity events held at various temples all over Vietnam.  Trang Mỹ Dung lives in her mansion located in the Gò Vấp district of Ho Chi Minh City with her younger sister and father.  Divorced from a short-lived marriage during the 1980s, Trang Mỹ Dung has no children.