People’s Artist Lan Huong Born in 1963 in Hanoi. As of now, she has just turned 61 years old, joining the U70 ranks. However, in the past few decades, people have called her “Hanoi Baby” because that was the movie that brought her name far, when she was just a 10-year-old girl. is also to distinguish between People’s Artists Lan Huong “Hanoi Baby” with People’s Artist Lan Huong “cotton” (wife of Meritorious Artist Do Ky).
People’s Artist Lan Huong plays baby Ngoc Ha in “Hanoi Baby”. Photo: TL
Sharing with Dan Viet, People’s Artist Lan Huong said: “I think, it’s because the role in “Hanoi Baby” is deeply engraved in everyone’s hearts. That role may be corny because at times I was still young but it was my first role. That role was also true to the situation in Hanoi at that time reached its peak. Therefore, when the movie was released then goes into each person’s mind and makes each person remember.
However, during my career, I always try to make this role truly “live” in the hearts of the public. Occasionally, I still catch glances or smiles at me when they recognize themselves as the baby Ngoc Ha from the past in “Hanoi Baby”.
For many years, I have been acting in films, but after each film, the most asked question I receive is “Unacceptable, why is Lan Huong so old?”. They asked that not because they criticized me for aging quickly, but because in their image, I was still a “baby”. But because of that, I became afraid of playing grandmother and mother roles.”
People’s Artist Lan Huong has a brilliant career. Photo: NVCC
People’s Artist Lan Huong was born into a family where her father was a military officer and her mother was an engineer. In 1973, when she was just 10 years old, People’s Artist Lan Huong was suddenly chosen by director Hai Ninh to star in the movie “Baby Hanoi” because he saw that she had some traits that matched the main character’s personality. However, when the director asked People’s Artist Lan Huong’s mother to let her act in a movie, he was opposed. The female artist’s mother did not want her child to participate in art too early and worried about her health. A few months later, doctor Tran Duy Hung – then Chairman of the City People’s Committee. Hanoi personally wrote a handwritten letter to her mother about filming, and she reluctantly allowed it.
“I am a special child. My mother gave birth to me when I was less than 7 months old. I was the first Hanoi baby to be placed in a German incubator for premature babies. When they brought me home, everyone said to each other: ” It’s lucky this girl isn’t crazy!”.
When I was a child, I spoke very little! I like my own world, don’t communicate much with the outside world, illness forces me to live in a sheltered place, eating places, and accommodations must be clean. Of course, at that time, keeping clean was a rare thing, but everyone always tried to keep me in that private space. When I entered elementary school, my family had to take turns carrying me to school because they were afraid of the sand and coughed… Because of that, my life was very closed, innocent and exposed like other children.
I always live at home, in a space with only dolls and imagining my own stories. I think this doll is character A, that one is character B, how will the story develop today, how will they behave. Perhaps those days were also the preparation for me to enjoy the profession and have the mindset of being a director in the future.”
A beautiful love story with a famous director 14 years older than him
After finishing grade 10 (the highest grade in high school in the 1970s), People’s Artist Lan Huong was directed by her mother to study to be a biological engineer, but she couldn’t pass the exam, so she had to let her take the entrance exam for course 1. acting at the Youth Theater. She officially entered the Theater in 1977 and remained with this “house of art” until 2018, when she retired according to the regime.
People’s Artist Lan Huong got married for the first time at the age of 18 to a dancer. However, the two broke up after two years due to personal disagreements.
“Back then, when we entered the 1st acting class of the Youth Theater, we all had to sign a commitment paper for 3 years not to fall in love, get married, and only devote ourselves to studying. I was always in violation during those 3 years of school. I was often punished the most because “people who eat dirty things know how to wipe their mouths”, and I was very rude, which I often admitted because I don’t like lying and also did not know how to lie. That day, Ms. Ha Nhan behaved The management is very strong, forcing us to write criticism all day long, while Ms. Thanh always defends us: “Well, they are still young, forgive them, as long as it doesn’t unduly affect their studies”, Artist Nhan Lan Huong resident revealed.
After a period of marital breakdown, People’s Artist Lan Huong remarried with director Dang
According to People’s Artist Lan Huong, she “fell in love” with director Dang Tat Binh because of his intelligence, talent and humor. Furthermore, because both of them have been through a boat trip and have children of their own, there is sympathy and mutual understanding between them.
Maybe it’s because in the past I was still immature, didn’t know how to love and didn’t know how to accept the bad things of the other person. To love each other and live together is to know how to accept both the bad and the good to be harmonious and lasting,” People’s Artist Lan Huong added.
Currently, People’s Artist Lan Huong still surprises many people because of her youthfulness, beauty, and charm. She has a peaceful life with her husband in a multi-storey house on Tran Quoc Hoan Street (Cau Giay, Hanoi). Both of their stepchildren are married and living on their own, so the two of them mainly take care of each other.
Recently, People’s Artist Lan Huong shared on her personal page that her husband Dang Tat Binh loves cooking but has poor eyesight so “accidents” often occur when cutting. However, every time he has free time, the director goes to the kitchen to cook delicious dishes and send them to his children and grandchildren.
“My husband has been diabetic for 20 years, so every time he cuts his hand while cooking, it takes forever to stop the bleeding. Old age and chronic illness make his muscles weak and his hands tremble. Every time he goes into the kitchen, his hands tremble. I was very worried. Many days while I was carrying a pot of boiling soup, he had a purple cough. My heart just wanted to jump out. If I could go back to my youth, I would still advise my husband to learn to be a chef because of him She is very talented in this dish”, People’s Artist Lan Huong added.
Interview between Time.news Editor and People’s Artist Lan Huong
Editor: Good morning, Lan Huong! It’s a pleasure to have you with us today. Let’s start at the beginning—can you share a bit about what it was like to become famous at such a young age?
Lan Huong: Good morning! Thank you for having me. Becoming famous as a child was both wonderful and challenging. At just 10 years old, starring in “Hanoi Baby” introduced me to a world of recognition, but it also comes with expectations. People remember that little girl on screen, and they often expect me to remain that same youthful character even as I grow older.
Editor: It’s fascinating how roles can leave a lasting impact. You mentioned that the character of baby Ngoc Ha is still recognized by fans today. Do you feel a sense of pressure to live up to that role?
Lan Huong: Absolutely. While I am proud of that role, it also creates a unique challenge. After every film, I often hear, “Why does Lan Huong look so old?”—a question filled with admiration rather than criticism. It shows how firmly the audience has locked me into that youthful image. So yes, it can be daunting to take on roles that differ from what people envision of me.
Editor: You had quite a unique childhood, being born premature and having to overcome various challenges. How did those early experiences shape your approach to acting?
Lan Huong: My early life was marked by a lot of restrictions, often having to stay in clean environments due to health concerns. This sheltered upbringing allowed my imagination to flourish. I created stories with my dolls, and perhaps that was my first step into the world of acting. In a way, my innocence and imagination nurtured my ability to feel and portray emotions deeply in my performances.
Editor: It’s interesting how childhood experiences can prepare us for our future paths. Your transition from childhood stardom to a successful adult career is inspirational. Can you share about your time in the Youth Theater?
Lan Huong: Joining the Youth Theater was a defining moment for me. I was initially guided by my mother to pursue a career in biological engineering, but I felt a pull towards acting that I could not ignore. When I enrolled, the commitment to focus solely on my craft—even to the extent of not dating—was intense! I must admit, I didn’t always follow those rules, but it was all part of the journey that led me to where I am today.
Editor: And what about your relationships? You navigated love and marriage during your formative years in the theater.
Lan Huong: My first marriage was brief, and it taught me a lot about navigating personal relationships amidst my career. I learned the importance of understanding and connection, especially when I remarried director Dang Tat Binh. We bonded over mutual respect for each other’s talents and experiences. Love can be especially fulfilling when both partners share similar backgrounds and understanding.
Editor: You lived such a rich and diverse life. Looking back on your career, what remains the driving force that keeps you passionate about acting?
Lan Huong: The love from the audience and the theatrical community truly drives me. When I see a glimmer of recognition from fans who see me as baby Ngoc Ha—even decades later—it fills me with warmth. It’s a reminder of the emotional impact films can have on individuals. I strive to create performances that resonate and stay etched in people’s memories.
Editor: Thank you, Lan Huong, for sharing your insights and experiences with us today. Your journey is a remarkable testament to resilience and passion in the arts.
Lan Huong: Thank you for the opportunity to reflect on my journey! I hope it can inspire others to follow their dreams, no matter the hurdles they face.