#1 Guide: Best Actor In Vietnamese Drama

Vietnamese media seems to be like “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” thanks to the Academy Award recognition given to Vietnam-born actor Ke Huy Quan for his supporting role in the movie. Does this make him the best actor in Vietnamese drama? Surprisingly, beneath its vibrant language, culture, and travel spots, Vietnam is home to many talented actors (the competition is tough) and well-crafted movies and T.V. shows. If you’re studying the Vietnamese language, one of the most effective ways to master the skill is by watching local films. This article will list the actors whose work is worth checking out. Ready to roll? Read on

Top Contenders For The Best Actor In Vietnamese Drama

Oh, boy, is it tough to name just one best actors in Vietnamese drama. Since we already have a list of Vietnamese actresses who excel in the industry, let’s reserve this list for Vietnamese men, each of whom is fitting to be called the best actors.

Lý Hùng

From 1991 to 1999, this Vietnamese actor, who began his career with a minor role in 1982, consistently earned awards from respected local newspapers. He secured his first leading role at the age of 12 and has continued to act in various films and dramas ever since. In fact, he holds the distinction of having played the most leading roles in Vietnamese movies, as recognized by the Vietnam Record Book. Besides acting, he has also ventured into directing, producing, and singing.

Johnny Trí Nguyễn

Regarding action-packed Vietnamese dramas, Johnny Trí Nguyễn takes the cake – and perhaps even eats it while performing a mid-air somersault! Born in Saigon, his family immigrated to America when he was nine years old. He competed for the U.S. national team in martial arts, which opened doors for him to become a successful stunt choreographer in Hollywood. In 2007, his brother and director Charlie Nguyễn influenced him to return to his roots and create the highly successful period martial arts film “The Rebel.” This marked the beginning of a successful career in Vietnamese cinema, and he also played supporting roles in foreign films in India and Thailand.

Trần Anh Khoa

Interestingly, his first film, “Ròm,” took eight years to complete. Khoa was still studying in high school when it started, and he was only allowed to film after school. The lead role wasn’t initially intended for him, and he only stepped in, but as luck would have it, his instinctive and energetic performance earned him the Best Actor award at the Asian Film Festival in 2021. The film also received the top award in 2019 at the Busan International Film Festival in the New Currents category.

Đơn Dương

Although his later years as a Vietnamese actor were marred by controversy, nobody can deny his contributions to the industry. He displayed his screen prowess in over 50 films since he began his career as an actor in 1982. Some of his notable works include “Dấu Ấn của Quỷ” (Devil’s Mark), for which he received the Best Actor award in 1992, and “Cỏ Lau,” which was honored with the Vietnamese National Film Award for Best Picture in 1996.

Nguyễn Xuân Trí

This Vietnamese-American actor, whose family was once relocated to a refugee camp in Arkansas from Guam during his teens, elevated Vietnam’s reputation on the global stage. His Hollywood journey began with a role as a Cambodian freedom fighter in “Magnum, P.I.” Afterward, his acting career continued to thrive with roles in films like “Charlie’s Angels” and “Little Fish.” He also made appearances in Vietnamese cinema, a practice he continues today. Additionally, he ventured into directing with the fantasy film “Once Upon A Time In Vietnam.”

Vietnamese-American Actors Making History In Hollywood

Two Vietnamese-born actors splashed in the 2023 Oscar nomination list – Hong Chau for Best Supporting Actress and Ke Huy Quan for Best Supporting Actor.

Vietnamese-American actor Hong Chau secured a nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the movie “The Whale.” Prior to this recognition, she had already garnered critical acclaim for her performance as a supporting actor in the 2017 film “Downsizing.

Here are the most asked online questions about a Vietnam-born actor (supporting actor): Which Vietnamese actor won an Oscar? Who was the first Vietnamese actor to win an Oscar?

The answer to all these questions points to Ke Huy Quan or Jonathan Ke Quan of the “Indiana Jones” fame. His nomination as Best Supporting Actor and eventual triumph at the Academy Awards (he also won the Golden Globe Awards) for his role as Waymond Wang in the movie “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” opposite another Asian star, Michelle Yeoh, helped bring the spotlight not only to Vietnamese-American but all to Asians in Hollywood pursuing the American dream.

Being the first Vietnam-born actor to win the Oscars was a memorable feat for Ke Huy Quan. He could not believe that he could still achieve this when his career mainly had stagnated after appearing as a child actor opposite Harrison Ford in the second episode of the “Indiana Jones” franchise in the 80s.

The success of these actors is breaking down barriers and paving the way for more culturally rich and inclusive storytelling in Hollywood and beyond.

Vietnamese Words Related To Acting

The Vietnamese language isn’t as challenging to learn as you might think. You can bet your last đồng (Vietnamese currency) on it without a chance of losing. Here are a few samples to get you started on your journey to mastering Vietnamese:

Boost Your Vietnamese Skills With Ling

Are you ready to become more fluent in Vietnamese to the point that you no longer need to rely on English subtitles when watching a local drama?

Look no further than the Ling app! Available for download on both the Play Store and the App Store, Ling is your one-stop solution for mastering Vietnamese and a host of other languages. The best thing about this app (aside from its accessibility) is that the activities are interactive and fun. It will make you feel like you’re playing, even though, in reality, you are already becoming proficient in the language of your choice. Give it a try now!