Ngo Thanh Van's practical parenting experience at age 46: No pressure, and going with the child's lead.
Nine months after welcoming her first daughter, Ngo Thanh Van shared her parenting philosophy, prioritizing multi-sensory experiences, and how she and her husband overcame the challenging postpartum period.
After welcoming baby Gạo in August 2025, actress Ngô Thanh Vân and her husband, businessman Huy Trần, officially embarked on their journey as parents. At 46, the "action heroine" of Vietnamese cinema admits to some initial bewilderment, but she has learned many valuable lessons in caring for and raising children based on scientific knowledge and practical experience.
Early childhood education philosophy through multi-sensory experiences.
Instead of buying expensive toys, Ngo Thanh Van chose to turn everyday household items into learning tools for her children. She believes that a vegetable basket, a wooden spoon, or simply observing adults doing housework can stimulate a child's brain development more effectively than electronic devices or flashing toys.
Based on research on early childhood development, the actress prioritizes allowing her children to use their senses in a natural environment. This helps the brain create stronger connections as children directly touch real objects and observe real life around them. To further enhance her knowledge, Ngo Thanh Van has spent a lot of time studying specialized books on childcare.
The journey to overcoming sleep crises
The biggest challenge for Ngo Thanh Van over the past nine months has been the sleepless nights spent with her child. In particular, Baby Gao experienced two sleep regression episodes in the fourth and eighth months. Instead of resorting to folk remedies or forcing her child into a routine, she chose to observe and adapt to the child's biological rhythm.
The actress shared that a child's sleep doesn't depend on a single factor, but rather on a combination of conditions such as light, activity time, digestion, and the sleeping environment. Instead of aiming for her child to sleep through the night, she prioritizes creating the safest and most relaxing environment for the baby. By the ninth month, the baby began to have deeper and longer sleep cycles.
The role of the partner and the realities of postpartum life.
Since having a child, the couple's life has completely changed. Ngo Thanh Van has temporarily put aside work and events to focus on recovering her health and taking care of her baby. She doesn't hesitate to share about the downsides of motherhood, such as sleep deprivation, hormonal changes, and no longer having time to take care of herself.
Notably, businessman Huy Tran is called "father of the year" by his wife for proactively taking on tasks from bathing and changing diapers to putting the baby to sleep. This support helps the actress reduce stress and have time to recover after giving birth. The couple now frequently shares simple family moments on social media, spreading positive energy about the happiness of parenthood.
