Tang Thanh Ha in scenes from her upcoming feature Dep tung xen-ti-met (Beautiful in Every Centimeter)

Beautiful Tang Thanh Ha could steal any show in a sexy or glamorous role, but she’s known better for playing poor women who stay strong in the face of adversity.

Ha is currently playing Diem Truc, a poor but optimistic young woman, in the TV series Bong dung muon khoc (Suddenly Wanna Cry).

“I can recognize myself in Truc as my family was poor and as a small girl I had to get up at 4 o’clock every morning to help my mom prepare and deliver boxes of rice to customers,” Ha said.

The show is about an unexpected romance between Nam, a rich but good-for-nothing young man, and Truc, a pretty but illiterate girl who sells books on the streets.

Ha was only 16 and the youngest player on the set when she began acting with a small part in the TV series Doc Tinh (Slope of Love).

Ha says her favorite, and most highly acclaimed role, came as Ut nho, a strong-willed, resourceful countryside girl in the 29-episode TV series Huong phu sa (Scent of Silt) in 2005.

When Ut nho’s father falls ill, his only son doesn’t want the family boat building business, so Ut nho takes over the workshop.

Her older brother threatens to sell off the business and another boat builder seeks to sabotage her.

But with the help of the man she loves, Ut nho consolidates and expands the business.

Ha’s first feature, Dep tung xen-ti-met (Beautiful Every Inch) directed by Bong dung muon khoc’s Vu Ngoc Dang, is scheduled for release during the 2009 Lunar New Year season. It is perhaps her first foray into a Hollywood-style role.

In the film, Ha plays Ngo Dong, a beauty queen in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho who comes to HCMC to fulfill her dream of becoming a film star.

She meets a handsome photographer who helps her find herself and become famous. Of course, they fall in love in the process.

“Though Ha has never trained professionally as an actress, she possesses an actress’s charm, flair and sensibility,” says Vu Ngoc Dang. “She skillfully infuses her feelings into her roles. She doesn’t mind hard work or looking unattractive.”

Dang says it was Ha’s brilliant performance in Bong dung muon khoc that inspired him to write the character for her.

Voted Ho Chi Minh City Television’s Favorite Leading Actress in 2006, she’s now majoring in Business Administration at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) in HCMC.

“Studying has always been my first priority as knowledge and the benefits it brings lasts forever, unlike a short-lived artistic career,” says Ha.

“A good education also improves my public image and boosts my confidence,” Ha adds, saying that no matter how busy she is with her shooting schedule, she always sets aside time for her studies.

But she says acting will always be her passion. “As an actress, I’m not afraid of getting old or becoming unattractive. I’m only afraid of losing the ability to express my emotions.”

Now enjoying her success, the 22-year-old Ha says she treasures family life above all else and says the wisest way to live is be honest to oneself.

“I always try to be myself no matter what I do: an actress, a daughter in the family and a citizen in the society,” Ha says.

“That way, I’m never pressured to be someone else.”

Reported by Nguyen Van