Diep first came to the public’s attention when she won a Mekong Delta beauty pageant in 2004 while studying journalism at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

Stepping out on the catwalk at the same time, demure Diep quickly became a favorite face thanks to her eye-catching looks and professional style.

“The catwalk and fashion have given me a lot and made me what I am. Still, I decided to leave modeling to concentrate more on journalism and give acting a go, though I still pose for the occasional ad,” the 25-year-old said.

Before Passport to Love, Diep played pristine, girly characters in a few TV series like Hoa da quy (Wild sunflowers) and Mua thuy tinh (Glass rain).

But she loathes being typecast and wants to test her acting ability by playing negative types, which is why she’s spending most days in the studio from dawn till dusk making Thien su long bong (Vagabond angel).

“Loving and understanding the character is my motto. It gives me the motivation to live the part. Unlike the snobbish and childish Jennifer in Passport to Love, my character Le Ly in Vagabond Angel is really ill-natured and has lots of bad habits,” Diep said.

“She’s sharp-tongued, light-fingered, artful and a little bit wanton, but she’s just a victim of circumstances, more sinned against than sinning. I feel sympathy for her and try to make the audience feel the same.”

Diep’s rapid progress in acting is obvious. To director Victor Vu, Diep is a telegenic and sensible beauty who has made the switch to acting with ease.

Said Diep: “I am not pleased with my previous acting efforts. I want to do better, go as far as possible, and try to learn from experience. The biggest lessons come from becoming the character and coming back to myself. It is like I am living in different worlds, but I always know which one is real.”

“I think beauty is important but it’s not the sole attribute of an actress. Just as important is charm and how you let people see it through your screen characters.

“I am proud that I have fairly rich experiences in the vicissitudes of life. I came to art with a “nothing to lose” attitude. It seems life has given too much to a dogged girl like me,” Diep said.

She feels lucky to have found good friends in the complicated world of showbiz, people like Ngoc Quyen, make-up artist Duc Hien, the model Hoang Yen and the singer Quach An An.

“We complement each other. They are the ones that I can bare my soul to. They overcome obstacles with me and I totally believe in them. I do not judge by appearance, because looks can be deceptive.

“Besides friends, my family is always my moral sheet-anchor too,” said Diep.

Rumors abound of her love affair with the “big boss,” cosmetic surgery, but Diep has found a way of coping with them.

“I no longer respond immediately but take time out to think and get to the root of the matter. It stops me from becoming miserable, which would affect my work. Sometimes you must learn how to ignore what people say and get on with life,” said Diep.

Acting isn’t the entire world of this versatile young woman; she still hopes to become an active and successful journalist.

“I collaborate occasionally with the magazine Thoi Trang Tre (Young Fashion) and host the odd program on Ho Chi Minh City Television,” she said.

Having graduated from journalism school, Diep is currently studying in the international relations department of the same university.

“I’m passionate about journalism, and maybe I’ll do it full time in the near future. To me, a career is like a meal with many scrumptious dishes. We have to eat our whole life, right? I will never give up the best of what life has to serve,” said Diep.

“I believe human potential is boundless. Though we cannot know the future, we can decide how we should live. Just catch it if you can!”

“Say in ten years from now I’d like to be a mom with one or two children and a happy family. I adore a woman’s vocation and the orbit of maternal love. Watching my children grow up will be extremely interesting!” Diep said.

Reported by Kim