Nguyet Hang to play a crime boss in the upcoming VTV drama, “Doc Dao”
My children are used to their parents being away for film shoots.
– What drove you, a veteran actress, to travel over a hundred kilometers to a mountainous location to film a single scene for the crime drama “Doc Dao,” and then return to Hanoi?
As a seasoned actress, I understand the importance of an actor’s presence on set, as it not only affects their performance but also the entire crew’s dynamics. Due to weather conditions, we had to reshoot, and my dedication to the craft and professional ethics kept me going until we got it right. When you love and sacrifice for your art, honest labor will undoubtedly bring you rewards, and the hardships fade away.
– How do you, as a long-time actress, set aside your ego and take directions from younger directors?
I understand the director’s role and trust their vision, as I won’t know the full story until it airs. The director arranges the characters to fit the narrative puzzle, and my interpretation of the character may not always align with the deeper intentions. So, I respect their guidance.
I tend to gravitate towards intense, introspective roles, often infusing my own psychology and instincts into the character. However, my initial approach may not always be suitable, so the director helps me find the right balance. Hence, I always value their input.
– What attracted you to the role of the crime boss in “Doc Dao,” and why did you persist despite not being the lead character?
Mrs. Moc is a complex character with a heavy psychological burden. She’s not your typical wife or mother, and her psychological evolution is intriguing, with many hidden layers. So, despite the limited screen time, I found the role very appealing.
2024 has been a landmark year for Nguyet Hang, as she received the Meritorious Artist title and became a grandmother.
– You’ve been busy with film projects, which requires you to be away from home often. How do you and your husband manage your time to care for your youngest daughter, who is still very young?
My children are used to their parents being away for work. They’ve learned to be independent and adapt to our absence. We feel for them, especially the youngest, as we became parents later in life. We try to arrange our schedules to spend as much time with her as possible. Thankfully, we have a helper at home, and my second daughter, who works freelance, can also lend a hand.
We don’t want to force our children to follow in our footsteps.
– Do any of your children show an interest in pursuing a career in acting?
None of them. My husband and I don’t want to force them into this challenging profession. We’ve dedicated our lives to this career and still struggle to provide a comfortable life for our children. From a young age, we’ve taken them to film sets to show them the hardships we face, and we want them to choose their own path.
Our eldest daughter, who studied business administration, secretly applied to the University of Theater and Cinema without our knowledge. She didn’t pursue acting, knowing the challenges and feeling she lacked the exceptional looks. She only confessed after getting accepted as a director, but she dropped out after one semester.
Nguyet Hang and Anh Tuan recently celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary.
Anh Tuan is a better cook than I am, and he’s the one who usually plans the meals.
– Are you and your husband disappointed that your children didn’t follow in your footsteps?
I’m not disappointed because it’s their future, and they should pursue their passions and desires. Acting is a demanding career, and without solid support, it’s challenging to fully dedicate oneself. Our second daughter studied ethnic music but later switched to the beauty industry. Now, she takes care of my makeup and hair whenever I need it.
– Have there been times in your decades-long career when you and Anh Tuan felt exhausted?
I have a passion for acting, and Anh Tuan understands that. For many years, I did voice-overs for films because theater work didn’t pay well. Although voice-over work provided a modest income, it helped me tremendously. Tuoi Tre Theater had its shining moments with the “Doi Cuoi” series and later with television dramas. While my work didn’t make me rich, it covered all my expenses. I also took on teaching gigs.
My well-loved roles led to invitations to join various projects. Anh Tuan handles the business side, partnering with Vinh Xuong. Before their success with crab noodle soup, they had failed with five previous restaurants, leaving them in debt. Once their business took off, our income stabilized, and it relieved some of my burdens.
However, I didn’t rely solely on my husband, and I continued working to support our family. Knowing my dedication to my craft, Anh Tuan left the theater early on to pursue a film career, support me, and care for our family.
– No one would guess that you’re already a grandmother, as you always look so youthful…
I’m always surrounded by children. Earlier this year, I spent two months in Germany, helping my daughter after she gave birth to her first child. I’m a professional nanny, and I don’t mind taking care of kids. In fact, I have a bit of a hyperactivity issue because, even after work, I can’t sit still.
When I have nothing to do at home, I feel sick. So, Anh Tuan and I often plan picnics or cross-country trips for the family. We maintain our daily routine, meeting for lunch in Hanoi if we’re both in the city. And unless we’re on a distant film set, we always have dinner together.
Nguyet Hang with her family.
– Who usually cooks at home?
We have a helper who takes care of the cooking, but Anh Tuan often goes to the market, buys the ingredients, and cooks because he knows I’m tired from work. He enjoys good food, so he takes charge of the kitchen and plans the meals (laughs).
– It seems that 2024 has been a year of fulfillment for you, with the title of Meritorious Artist, becoming a grandmother, and having continuous film projects. Do you feel that way?
I believe it’s a result of my continuous efforts over the years, and it all came together at once. Our leader at the theater, Chi Trung, always had the mindset of “filling the stomach to support the art,” so he wanted our troupe to perform as much as possible. Therefore, we focused on that instead of prioritizing competitions. I feel a bit disadvantaged compared to my peers, who have already achieved success. However, I’m not sad because my contributions are recognized by the audience, and that’s priceless.
Of course, the title is important to artists as it signifies success. But whether I have it or not, my life remains the same, and I’m still fortunate to do what I love and be cherished by the public. That’s what truly matters.
Nguyet Hang with her granddaughter.
– Do you aim to become a People’s Artist?
For me, the title of Meritorious Artist is enough. To become a People’s Artist, one must have opportunities, enter competitions, and win awards, but I don’t think it’s that crucial.
Photos: FBNV, VTV
