Thanh Mai

Thanh Mai (1955-    ) is an overseas Vietnamese singer, former actress turned restaurateur.  Since her rise to fame in the Vietnamese pop music industry as a teen sensation, she has been affectionately dubbed as Tieng Hat Hoc Tro, which literally refers to the innocent sound of her singing voice similar to that of a schoolgirl.

Born as Nguyen Thi Ngoc Mai on March 12, 1955 in Saigon, South Vietnam, she entered the entertainment industry as a child performer around the age of 10 when she became an official member of the musical youth singing troupe formed by stage and film actor, Xuan Phat.  As a child, Thanh Mai was an extremely pretty girl which was one of the reasons she was often singled out by viewer audiences whenever she appeared on television performing alongside her fellow singing troupe members.  At the age of 13, she made her debut solo performance on national television in South Vietnam with a song entitled Buc Hoa Dong Que.  

At the age of 17, she pursued her professional singing career with full force as she began performing nightly at a cabaret in Saigon called Chieu Tim.  Shortly afterward, Thanh Mai would also headline at other cabarets such as Chi Lang and Hong Hoa.  It was at Hong Hoa where she would be spotted one night by musician Nguyen Anh 9 who had taken a liking to her live performance of Gia Tu Dem Mua written by Van Phung.  He then took Thanh Mai under his wings as a protegée and teamed her up with another of his discoveries, a young male vocalist and songwriter named Quoc Dung, to form as a duo.  Through his connections, Nguyen Anh 9 made it possible for the duo to appear on national television performing the tune he had written, Ai Dua Em Ve. 

As the duo's popularity would grow, Quoc Dung and Thanh Mai began headlining for larger venues and cabarets in Saigon such as Ritz, Khanh Ly Nightclub and Duong Son.  Thanh Mai recorded for various major record labels of South Vietnam like Nhac Tre, Thanh Thuy and Tung Giang.  Among her most popular recorded hit singles included songs written by her singing partner, Quoc Dung, such as the eponymous Mai, Ben Nhau Ngay Vui, Con Gio Thoang, Bien Mong and Que Huong va Mong Uoc, Toc Mai Soi Van Soi Dai written by Pham Duy, Bay Di Canh Chim Bien written by Duc Huy and Bup Be Bang Nhua (Poupée de Cire, Poupée de Son), a duet with Thanh Lan. 

Right around the time Thanh Mai's singing career was being launched, so did her acting career.  In 1971, Thanh Mai made her film debut in Gac Chuong Nha Tho, a starring vehicle for Mai Le Huyen which was produced by veteran stage and film actress Tuy Hong.  The following year, she costarred with Le Quynh in what has often been considered to be her breakthrough film role in Bay Ngam. This role would also earn Thanh Mai a Van Hoc Nghe Thuat award, South Vietnam's equivalent to an Oscar, for Best Supporting Actress of 1972.  She would continue her film career with supporting roles in other films produced in Saigon during the next few years such as Truong Toi (1973) starring Quoc Dung, Thanh Lan and Bang Chau, 5 Vua He Ve Lang (1974) which featured an all-star cast that consisted of Thanh Nga, Tham Thuy Hang and Thanh Duoc and Tuoi Dai (Naive Age), which she had completed shooting right before the Fall of Saigon but unfortunately was never released.  Produced by Thai Thuc Nhi for Alpha Films Studio, Tuoi Dai was intended as a starring vehicle for Thanh Mai but remains shelved in the vaults of Vietnam's censorship authorities inaccessible to the general audience to this day.

In 1978, Thanh Mai and her husband, Yersin, a French national of Vietnamese and Indian descent, left their native homeland to resettle in Paris, France.  During the 6 years living in Paris, she continued with her career as a professional singer for the overseas Vietnamese community of France.  Thanh Mai performed nightly at Vietnamese-owned cabarets located in the 11th district of Paris and also at live shows for overseas Vietnamese audiences in other European countries.  In 1983, she along with Julie Quang, Huong Lan and Quoc Anh were among the lineup of singers featured on the very first volume of Paris By Night produced by Thuy Nga Paris where she performed her signature hit song, Ben Nhau Ngay Vui, as well as a duet with Tan Phat of the Nhat Truong-penned ballad, Khi Nguoi Yeu Toi Khoc.  The following year, Thanh Mai would leave Paris and relocate to Southern California.  She has since collaborated with numerous overseas production labels such as Da Lan, Thanh Lan, Giang Ngoc, Kim Ngan and Asia Entertainment.  During the mid 1980s Thanh Mai formed her own production label and has released a series of studio albums, most notably Tinh Ca Nhac Tre (1985), Tinh Ca Nhac Tre 2 (1986) and Cho Nguoi Toi Yeu (1988).  In addition to her busy schedule of live performances and audio recordings, she had also been selected as the overseas Vietnamese spokesmodel representative for Oriki, an international Japanese-owned cosmetics company.  Thanh Mai had also embarked on a new career as a restaurateur in 1987 when she first opened Thanh Mai Restaurant in the Little Saigon community of Westminster, California which remains in operation to this day after several location changes.  In 2005, she was reunited with her former singing partner, Quoc Dung, performing a medley of their famous hit songs as a duo on volume 78 of Paris By Night filmed in Toronto, Canada.

Thanh Mai has been a longtime resident of Orange County, California since resettling to the United States from France over 30 years ago.  She and her husband have been married since 1975 and have two grown daughters, Fatima and Maryammalle.  In recent years, Fatima has followed in her mother's footsteps and has become a singer in the Vietnamese community of the United States.

Link(s):

Another 50 Most Beautiful Vietnamese Women of All Time

Tuan Hung

Tuan Hung (1978-    ) is a popular Vietnamese singer and actor.  

Born as Nguyen Tuan Hung on October 5, 1978 in Hanoi, he began his career at the age of 17 while still in high school after he wowed audiences at the Dai Hoc Dan Lap Thang Long Music Festival with his live interpretation of the song, Han Gan The Gioi.  Tuan Hung then left school during his junior year to join the pop group, Qua Dua Hau, which consisted of other members Bang Kieu, Anh Tu and Tuong Van. 

In the year 2000, Tuan Hung decided to leave his hometown of Hanoi for Ho Chi Minh City.  On his 22nd birthday, he put on a stellar performance at the CLB Ban Yeu Nhac concert show held in Ho Chi Minh City at the Ben Thanh Opera Theater which gained him substantial notoriety.  In 2001, Tuan Hung released his debut album, Vu Dieu Than Tien.  He has since released a total of 15 studio albums.  Tuan Hung's most popular studio albums have included Dot Chut La Kho (2003), Tinh Yeu Lung Linh (2004), Dem Dinh Men (2007), Tinh Yeu Phoi Pha (2010), Tim Lai Bau Troi (2012) and a pair of duet albums, Vuon Tinh Nhan (2003) with Ngo Thanh Van and Nhu Giac Chim Bao (2008) with Le Quyen.  Among his most famous signature songs are Tinh La Gi, Di Vang Cuoc Tinh, Cau Vong Khuyet, Van Nho and Tinh Yeu Nao Phai Tro Choi.  

Besides his career as a professional singer of Vietnamese pop music, Tuan Hung has also partaken on a successful acting career.  In 2002, Tuan Hung starred in the popular play, So Do, directed by comedic actress Hong Van.  He has also acted in the film, Nhung Nu Hon Ruc Ro (2010) and the television series, Cho Mot Tinh Yeu (2010) costarring My Tam, Quang Dung, Minh Thuan and Hieu Hien.  In 2015, Tuan Hung served among the panel of judges on the third season of the popular television show, Giong Hat Viet, alongside My Tam, Dam Vinh Hung and Thu Phuong.

A longtime bachelor, Tuan Hung shocked many of his fans when he tied the knot on April 5, 2014.  Prior to getting married, he had previously been romantically linked to actresses Than Thuy Ha and Vu Thu Phuong.

Truong Quynh Anh

Truong Quynh Anh (1989-    ) is a famous Vietnamese singer and actress. 

Truong Quynh Anh on Her Wedding Day (Sep, 2014)

Born as Dang Truong Quynh Anh on January 12, 1989 in Nha Trang, Vietnam, she first rose to prominence at the age of 20 when she starred in the film, Cau Vong Don Sac (2009).  That same year, she released her debut album, Don Coi, Phia Sau Mot Nu Cuoi.  Truong Quynh Anh has become one of the most popular actresses of film and television in Vietnam.  Among her most widely received films on the big screen and television include Tinh An (2009), Bong Ma Hoc Duong (2010) costarring Hoai Linh, the late Wanbi Tuan Anh and Ngoc Diep, Lang Le Yeu Em (2011), Cuoc Chien Hoa Hong (2012), Dai Nao Hoc Duong (2013), Vitamin Tinh Yeu (2014), Thề Không Gục Ngã (2015) costarring Binh Minh and Dem Giao Thua Am Ap (2015).  

Tim and Truong Quynh Anh

On September of 2014, she and singer, Tim, tied the knot in a lavish wedding ceremony in Ho Chi Minh City.  The couple are proud parents of a baby boy named Cat An.

Link(s):

Another 50 Most Beautiful Vietnamese Women of All Time
Truong Quynh Anh Official Fan Club Website

Viet Trinh

Viet Trinh (1972-    ) is a beautiful Vietnamese actress of film and television and director.

Born as Tran Viet Trinh on November 27, 1972 in Saigon, South Vietnam, she began her film career in the late 1980s.  Viet Trinh gained national prominence when she starred in the film, Ngoc Trong Da, in 1991.  Throughout the 1990s, she along with Diem Huong, Diem My, Mong Van and Cat Phuong were the queens of Vietnamese cinema.  Among her most popular films during the decade include Suong Rong Den (1992), Co Gai Lai Taxi (1993), Khach O Que Ra (1994), Sao Em Voi Lay Chong (1995) and Anh Dao Vang (1998).  In 1996, Viet Trinh starred in her signature role in the wildly successful television mini-series, Nguoi Dep Tay Do, alongside Tu Trinh, Chi Bao and the late Don Duong.  As she was riding high as one of the brightest stars in the cinema of Vietnam, Viet Trinh became romantic involvements with Pham Huy Phuoc and Tran Van Giao, two of the most powerful multi-millionaires in Vietnam, both resulted in scandals which almost ended her career.

In the 2000s, Viet Trinh revived her film career with roles in Nguoi Hoc Tro Dat Gia Dinh Xua (2003), San Ga Tinh Yeu (2003) and Duyen Tran Thoat Tuc (2008).  She would also find success in Vietnam's small screen with roles in mini-series such as Suong Gio Bien Thuy (2002) costarring overseas Vietnamese singer/actress and former wife of singer Bang Kieu, Trizzie Phuong Trinh, No Doi (2004), Gia Mua Mot Thuong De (2007) costarring Ly Nha Ky and Nhung Doa Hoa Tinh Yeu (2011).  In the 2010s, Viet Trinh embarked on a new career as a director of such critically acclaimed television films like Tro Ve (2011) starring Duc Hai, Duc Tien and Van Phuong, Tro Ve 2 (2012) starring Thanh Dien, Lam Minh Thang and Lan Phuong, Vo Cua Chong Toi (2013) starring Huynh Van Dua, Xuan Thu and Huynh Thao Trang and Tro Ve 3 (2014) starring legendary Southern Vietnamese folk opera actress Ut Bach Lan, Cat Tuong and Hieu Hien.

Viet Trinh and Singer Ngoc Son
  at a Fundraiser (November, 2015)

 A devout Buddhist, Viet Trinh is a strict vegetarian and devotes much of her time to charity organizations.  She is a single mother of a young son.

Link(s):

Another 50 Most Beautiful Vietnamese Women of All Time

External Link(s):

Viet Trinh Facebook Fan Page

Tom Vu

Tom Vu (1957-    ) is a Vietnamese-American real estate investor, television infomercial personality, lecturer and professional poker player.

Born as Vu Tuan Anh on December 5, 1957 in Vietnam, he came to the United States after the Fall of Saigon.  In the late 1980s, Tom Vu became a household name with his infomercials on how to get rich from real estate investments.  He wrote a book, lectured at seminars and released videotapes showing Americans how he had made his fortune.  In the early 1990s, Tom Vu ended up being sued by some of his former students for alleged false advertisements and fraud.

Tom Vu Surrounded by Beautiful Women on His Yacht

Since the late 1990s, Tom Vu has retired from real estate investing and has become a successful professional poker player.  His career earnings as a professional poker player have totaled more than $1,800,000.  Among his winnings have included a ninth place finish at the 2006 Season Five World Poker Tour, earning $216,585 and a second place finish at the 2007 World Series of Poker.  Tom Vu currently makes his home in Las Vegas, Nevada.  

Michelle Banzer

Michelle Banzer (1982-    ) is an American fashion model and beauty queen who was the titleholder of the 2007 Miss Kentucky USA beauty pageant.

Born on December 2, 1982 in Louisville, Kentucky, Michelle Banzer is of Vietnamese, Chinese, Mongolian, Russian, Cherokee, German and Irish descent.  She grew up speaking both Vietnamese and English fluently.  Banzer started her modeling career as a teenager and became known under the name, Michelle Zen.  She has competed in many other major international beauty pageants prior to taking the title of Miss Kentucky USA in 2007 such as Miss Hot Import Nights and Miss Hawaiian Tropic.  In the summer of 2005, Banzer represented the United States in the 33rd annual Miss Intercontinental Pageant where she was second runner-up to Miss Swimsuit and placed in the top 20 semi-finalists.


Michelle Banzer is the second delegate of Vietnamese descent to have ever competed in the Miss USA beauty pageant after Elyzabeth Pham who had been crowned Miss Wisconsin USA in 1999.  She has worked in print, commercial, promotional and runway as a fashion model.




Link(s):

Another 50 Most Beautiful Vietnamese Women of All Time
20 International Celebrities You Didn't Know Are Vietnamese 

Nhu Loan

Nhu Loan (1981-    ) is a famous overseas Vietnamese singer who had first risen to prominence in 2001 as a performer on the popular live show music video series, Paris By Night, produced by Thuy Nga Paris.

Born as Le Thi Nhu Loan on April 20, 1981 in a town called Bao Loc in the province of Lam Dong located in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, she moved to the United States with her family resettling in Orange County, California at the age of 11.  She began collaborating as an exclusive artist for Thuy Nga Paris in 2001 and first appeared on the Paris By Night stage on volume 62, filmed in Paris, France, performing as part of an ensemble a couple of songs along with several other female singers such as Bao Han, Truc Lam, Truc Linh, Thien Kim, Loan Chau, Nhu Quynh and Lynda Trang Dai.  Despite such stiff competition appearing alongside such popular singers, Nhu Loan was still able to capture the viewer audience with her alluring presence and angelic voice.  The producers of Paris By Night were also aware of her star quality and decided to take the gamble on the very next volume of allowing her the opportunity to perform a solo.  Nhu Loan made her debut solo performance on volume 63 of the Paris By Night series, released in 2002, with a song called Men Say Tinh Ai written by Hoai An.  Her debut solo performance which entailed a flawless choreography, a group of beautiful back-up dancers and a seductive Nhu Loan, herself, clearly showed that a new star had been launched on the Paris By Night stage.

Nhu Loan has maintained her long tenure with Thuy Nga Paris which has lasted over 15 years.  She has recorded many duets with various other artists for the Thuy Nga Paris label such as Tran Thai Hoa, Diem Suong, Nguyen Thang, Thanh Truc, Tu Quyen, Lam Nhat Tien, Toc Tien, Don Ho and most of all, Luong Tung Quang.  Thuy Nga Paris has released two duet albums featuring Nhu Loan teamed up with another vocalist, Sunday Buon (2003) with Bao Han and Ta Da Tung Yeu (2012) with Luong Tung Quang.  Her first solo studio album, Tinh Lang Cam, was released by Thuy Nga Paris in 2006.  The year 2011 saw the release of The Best of Nhu Loan, a compilation album featuring a selection of songs she has recorded since signing with the Thuy Nga Paris label ten years prior.  Nhu Loan continues to record for Thuy Nga Paris and is a regular performer on the popular Paris By Night live show video series to this day.   She has performed at live shows for Vietnamese audiences all over the world.  Her good looks have also enabled Nhu Loan with an additional career as a fashion model through the years.  She is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful Vietnamese singers today.

Link(s):

30 Most Beautiful Viet Celebs of 2015
Another 50 Most Beautiful Vietnamese Women of All Time
Nhu Loan Facebook Fan Page
Nhu Loan on MySpace