Miss Vietnam Tourism Queen International Chung Thuc Quyen after nose surgery

A doctor says 70 percent of celebrities have had image-enhancing operations, a far cry from the “conservative” Vietnam we once knew.

Huong is open about her nose-job that provided a much-needed boost to her career, but she’s been plagued by allegations, which she denies, that she had a full face-lift.

The singer says she had the nose surgery because she was always uncomfortable with her appearance, but swears she never had any other work done. Media hounds and gossip columnists say her chin and other aspects of her face also changed after the nose surgery and Huong is now doubly-criticized: once for having the nose operation, and twice for denying the extra surgery.

As conflicting perceptions of cosmetic surgery clash in Vietnam, Huong represents the perils that local artists grapple with as they go under the knife for self-beautification projects.

But many stars have managed to come out on top, having been well received after going public with their operations.

Beauty as important as talent

Phi Thanh Van is the epitome of a plastic surgery success story.

“Nobody knew me until I had cosmetic surgery, but now I’m famous.”

It’s true. The aspiring but unknown model gave her face and body a complete overhaul that shot her to fame as one of Vietnam’s top models and she now enjoys the status of soap-opera superstar.

“Nobody should laugh or judge a person just because he or she had cosmetic surgery. It’s too personal!” says the star of Co gai xau xi (Ugly Betty), one of Vietnam’s most popular television series.

Van says beauty is just as important as talent, adding that she still wants her teeth and jaw reformed.

“I’ve been through four cosmetic surgeries and I know how painful it is. But it’s not a big deal, I’ll do it again if it makes me more beautiful.”

Van says she had all of the surgeries done in Vietnam for a total of around VND100 million (US$5,500).

But the star says she’s not addicted to plastic surgery.

“I know where to stop. I feel so bad for those who abuse surgery when they’re already beautiful. I bet they’ll regret their immature decisions later on.”

‘Not a bad thing’

Miss Tourism Queen International 2008 contestant Chung Thuc Quyen has just returned from nose surgery in Thailand. She also says plastic surgery isn’t a bad thing.

“I wonder why some people have cosmetic surgery and then deny it. There’s nothing wrong with being more beautiful in other people’s eyes.

“But I don’t think people should use cosmetic surgery to become a different person. Some things are inevitable as we grow older.”

Quyen says she’s now grateful for her perfect nose.

“I hated my nose before, it didn’t match with my face. I had surgery in Vietnam two years ago, but still, it was ugly! But the surgery in Thailand was perfect and cost only $2,500. Thai surgeons have mastered the skills,” she says.

Male celebrities are also familiarizing themselves with cosmetic surgery. Pop star Minh Quan said he had cosmetic surgery on his eyes while popular comedian Minh Nhi has had procedures on both his eyes and teeth.

Opportunity knocks

Dr. Nguyen Thanh Van, managing director of the HCMC-based Thanh Van Cosmetic Clinic, says nearly 70 percent of all local singers, models and actresses have had some form of cosmetic surgery.

“Cosmetic procedures are no longer luxurious things that only the rich could afford. Today, a normal worker, or even a farmer can get cosmetic surgery. While the young want to be more beautiful, the elderly come to us for rejuvenation,” he says.

But Dr. Van urges caution.

“Cosmetic surgery is not magic and cannot transform you into a new person. Surgery can help someone look better, but it can’t turn an ugly frog into a prince or princess,” says Van.

Dr. Tran Thi Anh Tu, owner of Bac si Tu (Doctor Tu) Cosmetic Clinic says Vietnamese doctors are good at nose and eye surgery techniques as these are the most popular among people here.

“But we still don’t have enough modern equipment and cutting-edge cosmetic surgery technology in Vietnam. So some people have to go to Thailand and Korea for better, safer surgeries,” Tu says.

Reported by Do Tuan