A publicity shot of Bui Viet Ha

A succession of careers has not changed an erstwhile model’s approach to life.

Starting out as a top model in 1999, Ha has traversed through different careers without losing her passion for art and entrepreneurship.

Soon after she hung up her modeling boots, Ha became the director of a new company named Visual.com, focusing on casting models and advertising. Then she became a “wedding planner,” opening the bridal gown shop Casey on Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street. Later still, she was the marketing manager for a local magazine, a part-time teacher at the John Robert Powers School (a training center in style for celebrities) and is concurrently artist relations manager and VJ for music channel YAN TV, Vietnam’s first professional music channel.

Ha says she used to throw herself into work motivated solely by the thought that she has the energy and confidence to follow her wishes. But now, after many ups and downs in both private and public life, this young, but mature mom does some soul-searching before making decisions.

“When I was over 20 years old, I have to accept that I was hungry for success, so I just did what I liked, although the possibility of what I did being successful or not was about half-and-half. But now I tend to look for a safe future, not only in life but also in my career. I do not like to challenge any more. I just want to do my creative job wholeheartedly and still have time with my kid.”

Toward the end of 2008 and later, her business slowed down. At that time, Ha was invited to be the artist relations manager and VJ of the Rewind program, introducing old hit songs, for music channel YAN TV. She has since stopped all other work to focus on the new field.

“Making most of the experiences and relations gained from my modeling career, I have enough confidence and interest in what I am doing now. People usually say a modeling career is a complicated environment with many lures. And it is, really. But for me, it launched my career, helped me grow up and made me self-reliant.”

Ha says the YAN TV music channel with nearly 10 programs of high quality has met partly the demand of Vietnamese music tastes. Bui Viet Ha’s main jobs are to establish and foster relations with both local and foreign artists and be the VJ for hit songs from the 90s backward.

Ha has no choice in these assignments but she is satisfied with the opportunity to assert herself in artistic activities and personal life. Now Ha also does some extra work in VJ casting for many upcoming projects of YAN TV, which has a style and format similar to the “senior” music channel MTV.

“Surely YAN TV will give the audience surprises month after month,” Ha asserts confidently.

Dreams of a full house

A single mom devoted to five-year-old son Viet Ky, Ha feels lucky to have a big family and many friends, including her former husband who helps her raise their child.

“I am happy and lucky to have them in my life. Now I am not only living for myself but also for my beloved friends and other folk.”

The secret of her happiness is clear.

“I have never regretted bygones, because I could stand up and keep going forward. Thanks to the falls and failures, you grow up and have more respect for what you have at present, and you prepare carefully for the future.”

This does not mean that she does not have her share of “unsolvable problems” that cannot be shared by anyone. When these threaten to overwhelm, she takes off.

“At times, when I am totally stressed out, I have to go somewhere alone, to relax and get back my optimism. This solution is very effective for me.

“I have also dreams about myself at this age. This could change, but in general, I want to be an active woman who knows how to enjoy her life and love. If I have a dream, it would be a complete family, a man with two or three more kids over the next ten years.”

For now, her son is her foremost concern.

“He has very good aptitude in art, especially in music on the piano. But I will respect his choice and let him grow up naturally. My son should have enough confidence, but not become haughty and arrogant.”

Reported by Kim