Le Tuan Anh – The Charismatic Anti-Hero of Vietnamese Cinema
Le Tuan Anh, known for his charismatic and romantic on-screen persona.
The Vietnamese film industry in the 1990s witnessed the rise of two actors with the same surname, Le Tuan Anh and Le Cong Tuan Anh. While sharing a similar name, these two talented individuals carved distinct paths, with Le Tuan Anh often portraying antagonistic roles, while his namesake specialized in gentle and loyal characters.
Le Tuan Anh’s rugged, masculine, and romantic charm seamlessly fit the mold of a silver screen anti-hero. His portrayal of complex and promiscuous characters earned him the nickname, “The Most Handsome Casanova of Vietnamese Cinema.” He stood among the three most sought-after actors of that decade, alongside Ly Hung and Le Cong Tuan Anh, starring in iconic films such as Hai Duong Trang, Cong Tu Bac Lieu, and Nua Doi Phong Dang…
The role that cemented his success was that of Thai Salem in the movie Lenh Truy Na, where he starred alongside Ly Hung and Viet Trinh. After this performance, many fans began addressing him by his character’s name rather than his real one. From then on, he became synonymous with the charismatic yet cold-hearted and ruthless playboy archetype.
Viet Trinh, Le Tuan Anh’s co-star during his heyday.
At the peak of his career, Le Tuan Anh dominated the box office with his appearances in commercial films. He commanded an astronomical fee of 30 million VND per film, equivalent to approximately 60 gold bars in today’s value, a true testament to his star power.
“Sometimes I quoted a high fee to deter producers from hiring me, but they still insisted. When I told them I was busy with other film crews, they offered to negotiate with those crews,” Le Tuan Anh reminisced about his golden days.
Director Le Hoang vividly recalled the mid-1990s, when Le Tuan Anh’s image was inseparable from his Jeep Wrangler, fedora, and hunting rifle, as he roamed the country, captivating the hearts of women with his rugged, romantic charm.
He was the heartthrob of many female fans during that era.
Before his rise to fame, Le Tuan Anh experienced a tumultuous youth. Having lost his mother at an early age and facing his father’s remarriage, he ran away from home at 17, supporting himself through various odd jobs, including selling cakes and working as a laborer and a waiter. With no sense of security or future prospects, he yearned for a stable family life.
Eventually, he graduated from the College of Theater and Cinema in 1989. His acting debut came at 22 in the film Bi Mat Thanh Pho Cam. His final role before stepping behind the camera was as journalist Quang in Gio Qua Mien Toi Sang in 1998.
The role of journalist Quang was one of the few positive characters he portrayed in his career.
Quang was one of the few positive characters Le Tuan Anh played, marking the end of his acting career, unable to escape the shadow of his more prominent villainous roles, especially that of Thai Salem. At the pinnacle of his success, Le Tuan Anh bid farewell to the entertainment industry, leaving his fans with a sense of regret and longing for more.
For over 20 years, Le Tuan Anh has not returned to the screen in any acting capacity. He directed his first and only film, U Thon, marking his transition behind the camera.
Le Tuan Anh and Hong Van: A Tale of Missed Connections and Eventual Happiness
Le Tuan Anh and Hong Van, both alumni of the College of Theater and Cinema, shared a romantic history. Recalling their time together, Hong Van described it as “the most beautiful moment of my life.” She recounted how, as young lovers, a misunderstanding led her to break up with him after seeing him with another girl, resulting in a decade-long separation.
Le Tuan Anh and Hong Van were each other’s first love, their relationship blossoming after starring together in a music video for a female singer.
“But what’s meant to be will always find its way. When we reunited after 10 years, he gave me a silver necklace as a memento. I still keep it and occasionally take it out to reminisce about our youthful love. As our family grew, so did our love for each other,” Hong Van shared about their reunion in 2003.
During their time apart, Hong Van married an architect and had two children, while Le Tuan Anh also experienced a failed marriage. However, fate brought them back together, and they remarried, forming a blended family and finding happiness in each other’s arms.
WATCH: NSND Hong Van confesses, “If there’s another life, I’d find Le Tuan Anh again.”
Prior to his relationship with Hong Van, Le Tuan Anh had a romantic involvement with singer Phuong Thao. They quietly parted ways, and she later found love with musician Ngoc Le, settling abroad. Meanwhile, Le Tuan Anh reunited with Hong Van, and the rest is history.
The couple’s wedding photo.
Hong Van and Le Tuan Anh’s wedding took place five years after their civil marriage, at the restaurant he owned. Leaving the limelight behind, he focused on his business ventures, managing a restaurant and a pub, personally selecting ingredients, and working alongside his staff in the kitchen. He once stated that a family couldn’t have two artists, and one had to sacrifice their career to provide financial stability.
The couple found happiness together after a decade-long separation.
As artists, Le Tuan Anh and Hong Van shared a deep understanding of each other’s passions and careers. Their family grew with the birth of their daughter, Bi Ngo (real name: Ngoc Chau). Le Tuan Anh also embraced Hong Van’s children from her previous marriage, Xi Ngau (Hoang Chau) and Tre Phi (Khoi Nguyen), as his own.
Le Tuan Anh’s dedication to his stepchildren earned the admiration of his peers and juniors in the industry.
“Father Tuan Anh taught me a lot of things, especially those that only a man can understand. I admire him, and I’m happy to call him my father,” Khôi Nguyên expressed his gratitude towards his stepfather. He affectionately referred to Le Tuan Anh as “Mr. Buddha” due to his ability to understand his children’s thoughts and feelings.
“It’s not that he doesn’t show affection, but the way a father expresses love is different from a mother. When faced with difficulties, I try to solve them on my own, and only when I can’t find a solution do I confide in my mother. But when I want something or need to ask for something, I turn to my father because he’s like a Buddha to me,” Khôi Nguyên added.
Xi Ngau (Hoang Chau) on her college graduation day in 2019.
On the occasion of Hoang Chau’s college graduation in the US, Le Tuan Anh penned a heartfelt letter to his stepdaughter, reflecting his profound love and pride: “My dear daughter… What brings us, your parents, the greatest joy and satisfaction is witnessing your maturity, resilience, and sense of responsibility in life. The way you interact with people and manage your tasks, both big and small, with precision and finesse, never ceases to amaze us, my dear.
With all that you have achieved and continue to achieve, your grandparents, your mother, and I are utterly reassured and confident that you and your future spouse will find success and happiness. We are proud of you, and so is your entire family…
As time goes on, I trust and hope that this feeling will only intensify. Always strive to be your best, and may you forever be blessed with happiness. With love, your proud father.”
Le Tuan Anh attends his stepdaughter Xi Ngau’s wedding in the US.
Hong Van and Le Tuan Anh during Xi Ngau’s wedding ceremony in Ho Chi Minh City.
Today, Hong Van and her husband are proud grandparents, as their daughter Xi Ngau has started her own family in the US. Hong Van continues to thrive in the entertainment industry, running her own theater and mentoring numerous actors. In recognition of her contributions, she was honored with the prestigious title of People’s Artist in 2011.
A Man of Integrity: Le Tuan Anh’s Selfless Acts of Friendship
Beyond his on-screen persona, Le Tuan Anh is a man of integrity and loyalty, known for his kindness and strong bond with his friends. He shared a close friendship with fellow actors Quyen Linh and Phuoc Sang and the late artist Le Cong Tuan Anh. Even years after Le Cong Tuan Anh’s passing, Le Tuan Anh still visits his friend’s grave, cherishing their memories together.
Le Tuan Anh once confided, “After Le Cong Tuan Anh’s death, I felt like I woke up. I realized that I had to accept reality and find a different path.” Many believe that the sudden loss of his friend played a role in Le Tuan Anh’s decision to retire from acting.
Le Tuan Anh, Quyen Linh, and Phuoc Sang pay their respects at Le Cong Tuan Anh’s grave.
Le Tuan Anh’s friendship with Phuoc Sang is a testament to his selfless nature. He once mortgaged his house to loan money to Phuoc Sang for the production of the film Tinh Yeu Vuc Tham (1990). This film’s success established Phuoc Sang as a prominent film producer.
Having stepped away from the limelight, Le Tuan Anh finds contentment in his peaceful life. At one point, he paid less attention to his physical appearance, and his weight exceeded 120 kg.
Confronted with health issues, he and his wife committed to a weight loss journey, surprising many friends and juniors with his transformation, shedding over 42 kg, and maintaining a healthy weight of 71-73 kg, befitting his towering height of nearly 1.8 m.
