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

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