Top 10 Successful and Beloved Vietnamese Actors Who Rose to Fame as Children

Born in 1993 in Hue, Lan Hà had a brief but impactful acting career, featuring in just two films: 'Đời Cát' and 'Trái Tim Bé Bỏng.' Her exceptional talent shone through, earning her two Golden Lotus awards for Best Leading and Supporting Actress, as well as a Golden Kite Award for Best Leading Actress. Despite these remarkable achievements, she chose to leave the entertainment industry after these successes. In 2011, she married and is now a lecturer at the Hue Academy of Music. Lan Hà, whose full name is Đỗ Nguyễn Lan Hà, began her acting career at the age of 13, portraying Gianh in the film 'Đời Cát' directed by Nguyễn Thanh Vân. Her performance earned her the 'Best Supporting Actress' award at the 13th Vietnam Film Festival.

Another key role for Lan Hà was her portrayal of Mai in 'Trái Tim Bé Bỏng,' which brought her the 'Best Leading Actress' award at the 2007 Golden Kite Awards and the Golden Lotus Award at the 2009 Vietnam Film Festival. With just two notable roles, she quickly became a rising star in Vietnam's film scene. However, at the peak of her career, she chose to step away from acting, marrying Hoàng Phương, who is five years her senior. After marriage, Lan Hà gradually withdrew from the screen to focus on her family.

Lưu Hà, born in 1983, is the daughter of director Đặng Lưu Việt Bảo. She started her acting career at just 12 years old, appearing in films such as 'Hoa của Trời' and 'Mùa Hè Sôi Động.' She quickly gained recognition for her charming looks and playful smile, with audiences remembering her as a sweet, innocent girl with a cute little tooth gap. Lưu Hà became widely known for her role as one of the first hosts of the weather forecast program. However, in 2009, she retired from the entertainment industry to focus on her family. She is now a businesswoman, dedicating most of her time to her family and entrepreneurial ventures.

Lưu Hà, a talented actress and television host with a radiant smile, won the hearts of many Vietnamese viewers. She made her mark in films such as 'Hoa của Trời,' 'Mùa Hè Sôi Động,' and 'Đường Thư,' and became a beloved figure in Vietnam's media landscape as an early host of the weather forecast program on Vietnam Television. Audiences will always remember her as the charming girl with the tooth gap, brimming with youthful energy and joy. In 2009, Lưu Hà made a surprise announcement that she had married a businessman, who holds an MBA from the University of Hawaii after completing his undergraduate studies in business management at the University of Florida. Today, she enjoys a happy family life with her husband and three children.

Phương Trinh, whose full name is Lê Ngọc Phương Trinh, was born in 1995 and is widely known by her stage name Angela Phương Trinh. She began her career in entertainment, taking on multiple roles as a singer, TV host, model, and film actress, starring in various productions like 'Kính Vạn Hoa,' 'Mùi Ngò Gai,' 'Người Mẹ Nhí,' 'Thứ Ba Học Trò,' and 'Mùa Hè Sôi Động.' Her most notable success came from playing the role of 'Người Mẹ Nhí,' which became strongly associated with her name. However, in 2013, Phương Trinh shocked the public by breaking away from her previously innocent image, embracing a bold and controversial persona, earning the title 'Queen of Scandals' in Vietnam's entertainment industry. Her provocative comments, daring fashion, and rumors about cosmetic surgery drew significant public backlash, leading to her being labeled 'bad girl' or 'scandal princess.'

Born and raised in An Giang, Phương Trinh has always expressed her deep affection for her hometown. Even after moving to the city for work, she often returns to An Giang whenever she needs a break. Phương Trinh started her career in 2002 at the age of 14 by competing in a televised singing competition. Initially focusing on singing, she later transitioned into acting in television dramas, where she achieved considerable success. Over time, she pursued both singing and acting, building a dual career. In 2014, she changed her stage name to Phương Trinh Jolie, and in 2017, she won first place in the 'Hãy Nghe Tôi Hát' competition.

Actress Phùng Hoa Hoài Linh, also known by her nickname Linh Mi, began acting at the tender age of 4. When she was 12, director Nhuệ Giang chose her for the role of Thu in the film 'Tâm Hồn Mẹ.' In this role, Thu was a 'young mother' who, despite her youthful innocence, portrayed a maturity beyond her years. Although just a 12-year-old girl, Hoài Linh delivered an emotionally charged performance that left a lasting impression on audiences. Her portrayal earned her the 'Best Actress' award at the Dubai International Film Festival, one of the largest film festivals in the Asia-Africa region. 'Tâm Hồn Mẹ' was also showcased in 10 universities across the United States. Hoài Linh further impressed viewers with her role in the film 'Chuyến Đi Tới Thành Phố.'

Phùng Hoa Hoài Linh was born in 1999 in Hanoi and is a child actress who has been part of the film industry for years. Her acting career began with a role in the film 'Lòng Mẹ,' and since then, she has appeared in numerous films, including 'Lều Chõng,' 'Thiên Mệnh Anh Hùng,' and notably in 'Tâm Hồn Mẹ,' where she won the 'Best Actress' award at the Dubai International Film Festival in 2011. She continued to capture the hearts of audiences with her roles in films like 'Dịch Vụ Gỡ Rối ANZ' and 'Chuyện Ở Hoàng Sơn.' In these films, Linh portrayed a girl who, alongside her father, went to the city to undergo an abortion. Her performance was touching and skillfully conveyed the inner conflict of her character.

Born in 2005 in Ho Chi Minh City, Lâm Thanh Mỹ is one of the most famous child actresses today. She gained popularity for her role as the sweet and innocent girl Mận in the blockbuster film 'I See Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass.' In addition to this, she has appeared in films such as 'The Bride Wars 2,' 'The Sharp Heel Conspiracy,' and the horror movie 'Soul Theft.' Moreover, Thanh Mỹ has also worked in advertising for over 3 years, featuring in more than 30 ads across Vietnam. Her full name is Lâm Thanh Mỹ.

At just 9 years old, Thanh Mỹ was already one of the most sought-after young stars, landing roles in over 40 advertising campaigns, more than 10 television dramas, and even working as a voice-over actress and MC. Her role in 'I See Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass' once again put her in the spotlight. Thanh Mỹ's natural and innocent appearance made her the perfect fit for the children's film, with its heartwarming storyline. Thanks to her photogenic face and natural acting ability, Thanh Mỹ is highly sought after by advertisers for various brands.

Thịnh Vinh is a beloved young actor in Vietnamese cinema. Known for his cinematic looks, radiant smile, and the innocent charm of a growing boy, Thịnh Vinh is often described by fans as looking like a handsome male lead from a romantic novel. He has appeared in several films, including '14 Days Off,' 'Happiness Within Reach,' 'The House in the Alley,' 'The Spiral of Crime,' 'The Land of Waves,' and 'Hero of Lang Ma.' However, it wasn’t until his role in 'I See Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass' that he truly captured attention. After the film’s release, Thịnh Vinh received widespread praise for his portrayal, and his character, Thiều, became an internet sensation almost overnight.

To catch the eye of director Victor Vũ, Thịnh Vinh had to outshine many other young talents. His character Thiều was particularly challenging, requiring a lot of emotional depth. The hardest scenes were the crying moments, where the director worked closely with Thịnh Vinh to bring out the character’s complex emotions. Thiều was both a lovable boy and a teenager grappling with inner conflicts—he loved his younger brother but also felt jealousy toward him. Thịnh Vinh expertly conveyed these conflicting emotions through his facial expressions, especially his eyes. After 'I See Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass,' Thịnh Vinh took on a completely different role in 'Truy Sát,' where he played a 15-year-old with autism, a role very different from his previous portrayals, showing a new side of his acting range.

Trọng Khang is a well-loved young actor. At just 13 years old, he has already built a portfolio of roles in both film and television, as well as numerous commercials. He has appeared in several TVC ads, including for Dutch Lady Milk, An Viên Television, instant noodles, instant porridge, and Japanese flan. Khang has also participated in a number of feature films such as 'Hello Cô Ba,' 'The Bride Wars 2,' 'Super Thief,' 'Dạ Cổ Hoài Lang' (2016), 'Fan Cuồng' (2016), 'Money Fate' (2016), 'Red Gloves' (2017), and 'Run and Think'... His role as Tường in 'I See Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass' marked a significant milestone, being his first major role with substantial screen time. Khang had to outshine over 50 other child actors during the audition process.

Audiences were deeply impressed by his portrayal of Tường, a witty and loving younger brother who adores his older sibling. Fans affectionately began referring to him as the 'nation’s little brother,' as his character embodies the ideal younger sibling many dream of. After the success of 'I See Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass,' Trọng Khang received multiple offers to voice characters for Hollywood animated projects, including the role of Denis in 'Hotel Transylvania 2' and Peter Pan in 'Neverland.' Additionally, he participated in the play 'My Little Angels,' written by Vietnam's famous screenwriter Việt Linh, based on a story by Nguyễn Nhật Ánh.

Thiên Tú, whose full name is Phan Ngọc Thiên Tú, was born in 1991 in Ho Chi Minh City. Despite coming from a family with no artistic background, she showed her acting talent early on, starting with her debut role as Đậu Đũa in the film 'Mother and Daughter Đậu Đũa' at just 6 years old. Her portrayal of a motherless, intelligent, and obedient girl won the hearts of many, drawing tears from the audience. Unfortunately, despite the overwhelming success of her first role, Thiên Tú decided to leave acting behind, as she was not interested in working in an industry filled with controversies.

When you think of Thiên Tú, you think of a young actress with a wealth of experience beyond her years. She has moved many audiences with her roles, including that of little Ngô in 'Silk Ao Hà Đông' and Trinh in 'The Immortal Legend' – two highly successful films in Vietnamese cinema. Afterward, she appeared in two more films, 'For June' and 'Lost' before heading abroad to study. In her previous collaborations with director Lưu Huỳnh, Thiên Tú's roles were not the leads but played crucial parts in the story’s development. In her latest project, under the direction of Áo lụa Hà Đông, she took on the leading female role, driving the entire narrative.

Em Bé Hà Nội is a 1974 Vietnamese film produced by the Vietnam Feature Film Studio and directed by Hải Ninh. The film portrays the life in Hanoi in 1972 during Operation Linebacker II, when U.S. forces bombed North Vietnam. Director Hải Ninh first met Lan Hương when she was only 3 or 4 years old. In 1972, while working on this film, after failing to find a suitable actor for the role of the Hanoi girl, he recalled Lan Hương and visited her home, requesting permission for her to star in the film. At that time, Lan Hương was just 10 years old, marking her debut role. Kim Xuân, another actress in the film, was known for her role in the famous 1953 film 'Kiếp Hoa.' Prior to this, director Hải Ninh and screenwriter Hoàng Tích Chỉ had also worked together on the film 'Vĩ Tuyến 17 Ngày và Đêm.'

For many Vietnamese film lovers, the name Lan Hương is likely familiar. Born in 1962 in Hanoi, her first role as 10-year-old Ngọc Hà in 'Em Bé Hà Nội' brought her tremendous success, solidifying her name in the film industry and shaping her future career. After this breakthrough, she studied dance and became an actress at the Youth Theater. In 2000, she pursued stage directing. Lan Hương has since appeared in numerous stage plays, including 'Cuộc Chia Tay Tháng 6,' 'Nhân Danh Công Lý,' 'Người Đá Lạc Đội Hình,' and 'Tiếng Hát Cuộc Đời.'

Nguyễn Hùng Thuận, born in 1983, is best known for his role as An in the popular TV series 'Đất Phương Nam,' adapted from the novel 'Đất Rừng Phương Nam.' Apart from his acting career, he was also a member of the music band MBK. His film career includes roles in various other TV shows and films such as 'Hoa Ngũ Sắc,' 'Dòng Đời,' 'Nàng Dâu Bất Đắc Dĩ,' and his most notable role in 'Cổng Mặt Trời.' He won the prestigious Mai Vàng Award in 1997 and has received numerous other accolades. However, his career is often marked by his portrayal of the character An, which left a lasting impression on viewers, and overshadowed his other roles. As a result, he struggled to leave a strong impact with subsequent acting performances. His singing career, both in MBK and as a solo artist, didn’t achieve significant success. In his personal life, he married Thanh Vân in 2009 and they have a son named Kim Bảo.

After 'Đất Phương Nam' aired in 1997, Hùng Thuận gained widespread recognition and officially entered the entertainment industry. That same year, he won the Mai Vàng Award for Most Popular Actor, along with several other prizes from publications like Mực Tím and Hoa Học Trò. Upon completing secondary school, he signed with Á Châu Company as an exclusive singer, joining the group Nhật Thực and released his debut album 'Không Thể Ở Bên Nhau.' After the group's disbandment, Hùng Thuận joined KC Company and formed the group MBK with members Nguyễn Châu and Huỳnh Phong. After releasing their album 'Game Over,' MBK disbanded within a year. Hùng Thuận then began his solo career, which continues to include roles in television dramas.