Mai Thu Huyen

Mai Thu Huyền (1979-    ) is a famous Vietnamese actress, businesswoman and former fashion model.

She was born on March 8, 1979 in Hanoi.  Her father was a cinematographer.  While in her early teens, Mai Thu Huyền started out in modeling.  At the age of 16, she made her acting debut in the film, Nỗi Đau Thầm Lặng.  In 2002, Mai Thu Huyền starred in what has since become known as her signature role as "Thanh Trúc" in the television mini-series, Những Ngọn Nến Trong Đêm, opposite Quyết Thắng.  In 2016, she would reprise her signature role in Những Ngọn Nến Trong Đêm II, this time playing opposite leading man Bình Minh.  Mai Thu Huyền has starred in several feature films including Hà Nội Mùa Đông Năm 46 (1997) with Quốc Tuấn, Tiếng Sáo Lý Hương (1998) with Võ Hoài Nam, Hà Nội 12 Ngày Đêm (2002), Minh Nguyệt/Mùa Thu Đầu Tiên (2005), Nhà Có Ba Chị Em (2007) with Kiều Thanh, Thu Quế, Trung Hiếu and Bình Minh and Lạc Giới (2014) with Trung Dũng, Bình An and Nam Cường.  Her other television acting credits include Sống Mãi Với Thủ Đô (1996) starring Khánh Huyền, Còn Mãi Một Tình Yêu (1997) starring Phạm Cường, Hôn Nhân Không Giá Thú (1997) starring Xuân Tùng, Khoảng Vỡ (1998) starring the late Đơn Dương and Hoàng Phúc, Sóng Ngầm (2001), Tia Nắng Mong Manh (2005), Lối Rẽ (2010), Đời Như Tiệc (2013) starring Cát Tường, Những Kẻ Hai Mặt (2014) starring Trung Dũng and Hồng Vân and Mãi Mãi Là Bao Lâu (2016) starring Trương Minh Quốc Thái.

Mai Thu Huyền at the 63rd Annual Cannes Film Festival (2010)

Mai Thu Huyền was formerly the president of FPT Entertainment, a television production company based in Hanoi.  She is currently the CEO and owner of Tincom Media.  Mai Thu Huyền along with her husband and two children, a son and a daughter, live in one of the most luxurious mansions in Ho Chi Minh City located in the Phú Mỹ Hưng district.

Link(s):

• 20 Hottest Viet Celebs of 2017

• Vietnamese Celebrity Homes Part 5a

Benjamin Tang

Benjamin Tang (1988-    ) is a famous fashion model of German and Vietnamese descent.

Born to a German mother and a Vietnamese father on December 7, 1988, he began his modeling career in 2007.  Benjamin Tang has worked as a fashion model in New York, London, Munich, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore, Hong Kong, Manila, Madrid and Dubai.  He has been represented by Up Front Models in Singapore.  His work in print and commercials have appeared all over the world.  Benjamin Tang is currently based in Bangkok.

Link(s):

• 20 Hottest Viet Celebs of 2017
• 30 Sexiest Vietnamese Celebs of 2016
• Benjamin Tang Fan Page on Facebook
• Benjamin Tang Official Website

Nguyen Hong Nhung

Nguyễn Hồng Nhung (1981-    ) is a famous overseas Vietnamese singer.

Born and raised in Hanoi, Nguyễn Hồng Nhung first came onto the scene as a contestant on the VTV3 televised talent show, Sao Mai - Điểm Hẹn, in 2004.  Other contestants competing at the show that year included Nguyễn Tùng Dương and Cao Thái Sơn.  Although the first prize award went to Kasim Hoàng Vũ, her appearance on the talent show gave Nguyễn Hồng Nhung the national exposure needed to boost her career.  Shortly after, she released her first solo studio ablum, Niềm Đau Đã Qua (2004) for the Phương Nam Film label.

In 2005, Nguyễn Hồng Nhung relocated to the United States.  Despite her involvement in a sex scandal of an extra-marital affair with Lê Vĩnh Thắng where explicit photos were publicized, Nguyễn Hồng Nhung forged ahead with her career.  Immediately, she released three studio albums. Dĩ Vãng Cuộc Tình (2005), Sắc Màu (2005) and Câu Chuyện Tình Tôi (2006) within two years.  Nguyễn Hồng Nhung has collaborated with all three of the major labels in the overseas Vietnamese music industry, Vân Sơn Entertainment, Asia Entertainment and Thúy Nga.  She has recorded duets with Quang Dũng, Sỹ Đan, Lâm Nhật Tiến, Vương Dzung, Diễm Liên and Thùy Hương.  Among her most popular recorded songs include Mùa Đông Sắp Đến (written by Đức Huy), Hoa Xuân (written by Phạm Duy),  Và Anh Hãy Nói Yêu Em (written by Việt Dzũng), Giờ Này Anh Ở Đâu (written by Khánh Băng), Ca Dao Mẹ (written by Trịnh Công Sơn), Mưa Tình Cuối Đông (written by Trúc Hồ) and Đêm Ả Đào (written by Phú Quang).

Since 2010, Nguyễn Hồng Nhung has been happily married to Quý Nguyễn, who is the younger brother of singer Trizzie Phương Trinh.  In 2012, the couple welcomed the birth of their son, Skyler.

Link(s):

30 Sexiest Vietnamese Celebs of 2016 

Tung Giang

Tùng Giang (1940-2009) was a famous Vietnamese musician, songwriter, producer and singer.

Born as Phạm Văn Lượng on November 17, 1940 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, he grew up in Nha Trang, Vietnam.  His mother was famous Southern Vietnamese folk opera actress Cô Ba Được.  After high school, he relocated to Saigon and joined the Dân Nam Theater Troupe alongside Ba Vân, Túy Hoa and Túy Phượng.  Tùng Giang then became one of the most prolific drummers of the pop music industry in Vietnam.  In addition, he also wrote a handful of popular songs including Anh Đã Quên Mùa Thu, Tôi Với Trời Bơ Vơ, Biết Đến Thuở Nào, Chỉ Riêng Mình Em Hiểu and Từ Lúc Em Đi and Người Tình Người Đẹp Xinh Xinh.  He along with singers Đức Huy, Tuấn Ngọc and Billy Shane had formed a group called The Strawberry Four in Saigon.  Prior to 1975,  Tùng Giang also owned one of the most successful record labels in South Vietnam called Nhạc Trẻ.

(From left to right) Đức Huy, Tùng Giang, Tuấn Ngọc and Billy Shane

After the Fall of Saigon, Tùng Giang resettled in Southern California.  Throughout the 1980s, 1990s and up until his death, Tùng Giang owned and operated the most successful recording studio in the overseas Vietnamese music industry.  In 2005, he along with musicians Quốc Dũng and Châu Kỳ were honored for their lifetime achievements in Vietnamese pop music on Thúy Nga's Paris By Night 78: Đường Xưa.

On June 4, 2009, Tùng Giang passed away from cirrhosis of the liver.  His oldest daughter is singer Giáng Ngọc.  He had been romantically linked to singers Khánh Ly, Khánh Hà and Diễm Liên.

Hien Mai

Hiến Mai (1967-    ) is a beautiful Vietnamese actress.

Born on December 23, 1967 in Hanoi to highly educated parents whom were both scholars of literature, Hiến Mai grew up with dreams of one day becoming a teacher.  During her teenage years, her family relocated to Ho Chi Minh City.  After high school, Hiến Mai went onto study at the University of Ho Chi Minh City and spent a year as a foreign exchange student at the Bogorod State University in Bogorod, Russia from 1989-1990 majoring in Russian literature.  After college, Hiến Mai found work at a government agency for the department of culture and information in Ho Chi Minh City.  Working with the public, she would often receive compliments from guests on her beauty with suggestions that she consider going into modeling.  Eventually, Hiến Mai gave in.  She immediately landed modeling jobs for various fashion magazines and commercial brands that significantly helped supplement her income.  Soon after, her familiar face as a fashion model led her to an acting career.  Her first starring role was in the feature film, Cu Tí và Cô Giáo Mai (1992), directed by Phan Hoàng.  Instantly, Hiến Mai turned into a star.  Unfortunately, during the filming of her second film, Ráng Chiều (1993), she was wheelchair bound for an entire month.  After making a full recovery, Hiến Mai went onto star in a string of well received films in the 1990s, most popular being Tuổi Thần Tiên (1994).  During the 1990s, a period in the history of cinema of Vietnam where a mass quantity of low-budget films were being produced known as "Mì ăn liền", which translates to instant noodle, Hiến Mai rose to become one of the top leading ladies of the era in the ranks of such other starlets like Việt Trinh, Diễm My, Diễm Hương and Y Phụng.

Hiến Mai, husband and child (2007)

Since the 2000s, Hiến Mai has switched to television beginning with the mini-series, Giao Thời (2000), starring Trương Ngọc Ánh and Quyền Linh.  Among her other most popular television acting credits since then have included Họ Từng Chung Kẻ Thù (2003), Xin Lỗi Tình Yêu (2006) starring Nguyễn Phi Hùng and Diễm My, Bão (2012), Bản Chúc Thư (2012) starring Đức Tiến, Vũ Khúc Trong Đêm (2013) starring Mai Huỳnh, Vitamin Tình Yêu (2013) starring Trịnh Kim Chi and Trương Quỳnh Anh and Bản Lĩnh Công Tử (2013) starring Nhã Phương.  Among her other most popular silver screen acting credits have included Ngôi Nhà Bí Ẩn (2007) directed by Nguyễn Chánh Tín and starring Ngô Thanh Vân and Huy Khánh, Đại Náo Học Đường (2013) starring Hoài Linh, Chí Tài, Hiếu Hiền and Trương Quỳnh Anh and Ma Nữ Báo Thù (2016).  In 2006, Hiến Mai starred in her first play, Chợ Đời, at the Hưng Đạo Theater in Ho Chi Minh City alongside the late Minh Thuận.

In 2003, Hiến Mai married prominent Vietnamese-American lawyer Nguyễn Hoàng Minh in a lavish wedding ceremony held at the Sofitel Saigon Hotel.  The following year, the couple welcomed the birth of their son, Tony.  Hiến Mai along with her husband and teenage son live in a luxurious mansion in Ho Chi Minh City.

Link(s):

• 20 Hottest Viet Celebs of 2017
• Vietnamese Celebrity Homes Part 5a

Nguyen Phi Hung

Nguyễn Phi Hùng (1977-    ) is a famous Vietnamese pop singer and actor.

He was born on June 24, 1977 in Hanoi, Vietnam.  During his early twenties, Nguyễn Phi Hùng first embarked on his career in performing arts as a pop singer.  After signing with the music label, Trung Tâm Tài Năng Mới (New Talent Productions), he eventually achieved national prominence with a series of hit singles such as Tình Đơn Côi, Mưa Tuyệt Vọng, Vắng Cha and Dáng Em.  As his career as a Vietnamese pop singer began to take flight, Nguyễn Phi Hùng quickly found himself spending less and less time in his native Hanoi and eventually relocating permanently to Ho Chi Minh City.  In 2000, Nguyễn Phi Hùng released his debut solo studio album, Only You.  During his successful singing career which has spanned for nearly 20 years, he has recorded a total of more than 20 studio albums and collaborated with several other major music labels in Vietnam such as Viêt Tân Studio, Kim Lợi Productions and Áo Trắng Music.  Among his most well-received studio albums include Đêm Nhớ - Nếu Anh Quên Tất Cả (2003), Tình Mộng (2003), Tuổi Đá Buồn - Vẽ Bằng Màu Tình Yêu (2005), Ngày Bình Yên (2007), Nhỏ Ơi! Anh Nhớ Em (2009), Một Đời Cho Con (2010) and Phút Ban Đầu (2012).  Nguyễn Phi Hùng has also enjoyed further success on a couple of duet albums he had recorded with singers Cẩm Ly and Mỹ Tâm.  

 

 

In 2003, Nguyễn Phi Hùng embarked on a second career as an actor starring in a pair of well-received television mini-series, Sống Chậm and Hải Âu.  His performance on the latter earned him a Cánh Diều Vàng Award (Golden Kite) for Most Promising Newcomer.   He has since starred in numerous other television mini-series including Xin Lỗi Tình Yêu (2006) with Hiền Mai and Diễm My, Yêu Từ Thuở Nào (2008), Lọ Lem Thời @ (2008), Chiếc Giường Chia Đôi (2011) with Lý Nhã Kỳ, Cát Phượng, Tâm Tít, Thanh Thủy, Minh Nhí and Công Ninh, Em Là Tình Yêu của Anh (2011) with Kim Xuân, Bảo Quốc and Quyền Linh, Câu Chuyện Cuối Mùa Thu (2012) with Việt Trinh, Chiếc Vòng Ngọc Huyết (2015), Sát Thủ Hoa Hồng (2015) with Ngọc Lan, Nhảy Cùng Ước Mơ (2015) with Lan Phương and Biển Đời Giông Tố (2017) with Lý Hùng.  In addition, Nguyễn Phi Hùng has starred in several hit feature films including Khi Người Đàn Ông Có Bầu (When a Man Gets Pregnant) (2005) with Kim Thư, Việt Anh, Hồng Nga, Trương Ngọc Ánh, Hồng Vân and Phương Thanh, Hiệp Sĩ Guốc Vông (2013) with Chí Tài, Quách Ngọc Ngoan and Phi Thanh Vân and directed by veteran film actor Nguyễn Chánh Tín, Lộc Phát (2016) with Bình Minh, Hiếu Hiền and Ngọc Diệp and Mặt Nạ Máu (2016) with Tinna Tình, Thu Trang, Dương Cẩm Lynh and Tấn Beo.

Since the mid 2000s, Nguyễn Phi Hùng has been one of the highest paid live performers in both Vietnam's pop music and television industries.  As one of the top concert draws among Vietnamese singers, he has performed on stages for live audiences all over Vietnam, as well as abroad.  Nguyễn Phi Hùng is considered as one of the wealthiest entertainers in Vietnam today.  In addition to his successful careers in music, film and television, Nguyễn Phi Hùng has also amassed a fortune as an entrepreneur.  He currently heads a multi-million dollar real estate investment company with holdings of land and commercial properties in and around Ho Chi Minh City along with a headquarters office located in the 7th district of Ho Chi Minh City.  In 2013, Nguyễn Phi Hùng opened his own restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City named Café Song Hùng.  Although he is about to approach the age of 40, Nguyễn Phi Hùng remains a bachelor.  When not on tour or on location starring in films, he divides his time between his two homes, a mansion located in Tân Bình District of Ho Chi Minh City and a ranch located in Củ Chi.

Link(s):

• Vietnamese Celebrity Homes Part 5a

Mai Lan

Mai Lan (1982-    ) is a French singer and fashion designer.

Originally from Paris, France, Mai Lan is the daughter of renowned French graphic designer and painter Christian Chapiron, better known as Kiki Picasso.  Her older brother is film director Kim Chapiron.  Her mother is of Vietnamese origin.

At the age of 13, Mai Lan became involved artistically with Kourtrajmé, a French film production company founded by her older brother, Kim Chapiron, and his close childhood friend, Romain Gavras, which is comprised of a group of acquaintances whom were primarily children of other famous parents.  One of Mai Lan's earliest recordings was as a featured vocalist with the group, La Caution, on the track, Personne Fusible, which was included on their 2005 studio album, Peines de Maures/Arc-en-ciel pour Daltoniens.  The following year, Mai Lan once again appeared as a featured vocalist on the track, GPS sur la Comète, included on La Caution's next studio album, Des Gens Revisitent La Caution.  For the soundtrack of her brother's film, Sheitan (2006), Mai Lan recorded 5 tracks, four of which she had co-written with fellow Kourtrajmé member and close friend, renowned French-Vietnamese musician Nguyên Lê, and one she had written by herself.   In 2012, Mai Lan released her self-titled solo studio album under the joint independent music labels, 3ème Bureau / Wagram Music.  She has since released several singles including Easy (2002), Technique (2016) and Vampire (2017).  In 2015, Mai Lan was the featured vocalist with the French electropop band, Jabberwocky, on the track, Alastor, which was included on their studio album, Lunar Lane.  In 2016, Mai Lan co-wrote and was the featured vocalist on 4 tracks on the studio album, Junk, of another French electronic music band known as M83.  That same year, she was also the featured vocalist on a song called Hammerhead by French DJ crew, Birdy Nam Nam, which was included on the studio album, Dance or Die.  

Aside from her achievements in the music industry, Mai Lan has also been a highly respected fashion designer.  She along with her close childhood friend, Bezem Kassan, are co-owners of a fashion label called BEZEMYMAILAN, which is distributed by Hermès International.

Link(s):

• 30 Sexiest Vietnamese Celebs of 2016
• Mai Lan Official Website
• BEZEMYMAILAN.com

Nguyen Thang

Nguyễn Thắng (1980-    ) is a popular overseas Vietnamese singer who first rose to prominence in the early 2000s as one of the top rising new artists signed with the Vân Sơn Entertainment label.

Originally from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and raised primarily in the United States, Nguyễn Thắng was blessed with natural good looks and innate musical talents.  For his debut appearance on music video, Nguyễn Thắng was first seen on volume 19 of Vân Sơn Entertainment's live show series, Sân Khấu & Nụ Cười (2001), performing a solo cover of Italo Disco legend Gazebo's classic,  I Like Chopin, and as part of a trio along with Lương Tùng Quang and Johnny Trí Nguyễn performing a cover of Frankie Valli's Can't Take My Eyes Off You for the closing number.  Despite being teamed up side by side with two of the most celebrated heartthrobs then among overseas Vietnamese male singers, Nguyễn Thắng still managed to captivate viewer audiences on a comparable caliber to both of his predecessors on that first music video appearance for Vân Sơn Entertainment.

During his 6-year tenure under contract with Vân Sơn Entertainment, Nguyễn Thắng scored a series of major hits along with many memorable music video performances of such songs like Tình Trong Cơn Mưa, Người Ra Đi, Mãi Không Trở Về (lyrics written by Huỳnh Nhật Tân), Kỷ Niệm Vụt Bay, Vì Sao Không Nói, Khóc Cho Thêm Sầu (written by Nguyễn Thắng), Ước Chỉ Có Em, Ngồi Ôm Bóng Em and Quên Một Lời Thề.  He has also recorded several duets with other singers such as Tú Quyên, Andy Quách and Cát Tiên for the Vân Sơn Entertainment label.  In 2005, Nguyễn Thắng released Ước Chỉ Có Em, his most successful studio album while signed with the Vân Sơn Entertainment label.  In 2007, he landed a supporting role in his first feature film, Dòng Máu Anh Hùng (The Rebel), starring Johnny Trí Nguyễn, Ngô Thanh Vân, Dustin Nguyễn and Nguyễn Chánh Tín.  In 2008, Nguyễn Thắng branched out and collaborated with Thúy Nga, the most prolific overseas Vietnamese music production label, making several appearances on the popular Paris By Night video series in several duet performances with singers Như Loan and Minh Tuyết.   The following year, Thúy Nga released his studio album, Broken.  In 2017, he appeared on volume 79 of Asia Entertainment's live show video series, Còn Mãi Trong Tim.  Nguyễn Thắng has also formed his own music production label, NT Sounds Productions, and has performed at live concerts for Vietnamese audiences all over the world.

Link(s):

• 30 Sexiest Vietnamese Celebs of 2016
• Nguyễn Thắng MySpace Artist Page