Favorite photographer reveals the youthful secrets of 90s beauties

The generation of actors and beauties of the Vietnamese screen in the 90s has always left a strong mark in the audience's memory. When mentioning this golden age, it is impossible not to mention the calendar photos that were once associated with famous beauty icons.

Among them, photographer Doan Minh Tuan is considered a special piece. He is not only the person behind the famous portraits, but also a classmate and someone who spent his youth with many famous actors of the 90s.

The reporter had the opportunity to "reminisce about old memories" with photographer Doan Minh Tuan with many interesting stories revealed for the first time about a generation of famous beauties and actors of the past.

Photographer Doan Minh Tuan. Photo: Provided by the character

"All the beauties are as beautiful as the sea, how can I not be drunk!"

At the alumni reunion of the first class of the Vietnam Cinema University in Ho Chi Minh City (now Ho Chi Minh City University of Theatre and Cinema) held at actor Ly Hung's house on August 9, it was known that photographer Doan Minh Tuan was the one who connected actress Diem Huong with everyone. How did the story unfold?

- You guys were in the acting class, and I was in the filming class in 1988. During our time at the same school, I became close friends with the acting class, even more so than Ly Hung (laughs). We had met many times before, but this was almost the first time everyone gathered together like this.

Recently, knowing that Diem Huong had just returned from abroad, I secretly contacted her and brought her to Ly Hung's house without telling my friends in advance. When we met, everyone was surprised and touched. That day, we didn't talk enough so the group made an appointment to meet another day. In the artist world, there are so many stories from heaven to earth, I don't know when it will end (laughs).

Back in 1988, he studied filmmaking and then became the "favorite" photographer of famous actors at that time. What led to this choice?

- From our friendship. When I was in my second year, I started to get close to my classmates in the acting class such as Diem Huong, Mong Van, Ngoc Hiep, Ly Hung… I myself am a person who likes taking photos. Photography is also a part of my studies so I often hold the camera to take pictures for my friends.

In 1989, Ly Hung and Diem Huong starred in the movie "Pham Cong - Cuc Hoa", which attracted the attention of the press. When the journalists came to interview and ask for photos of Ly Hung and Diem Huong, they said "here, Tuan is right here", then called me down to give them the photos.

At that time, I was still a student, only 19 or 20 years old. Seeing my photos taken for my friends published in the newspaper made me very excited.

So Doan Minh Tuan became the "favorite" photographer for his friends from when he was in school until he graduated?

- Our friendship started like that and continued until now. Seeing beautiful photos published in many newspapers, everyone took more photos with me to publish in the newspaper. No one thought much about it.

When we graduated, cinema and journalism were developing. Actors were invited by film studios, invited by publishers to pose for calendars, and so on, becoming stars. I also became more well-known.

Of course, there are many other photographers, not just me. But I think I am the one who is attached to you. We have beautiful stories about youth full of passion and ambition.

Do you remember the first photo series published in the newspaper, which character was it?

- That is a photo series of Ngoc Hiep. She wore a green ao dai on the cover of Saigon Giai Phong newspaper in 1989. Back then, Ngoc Hiep was very beautiful and famous. She had a very special, very wild beauty. When the photo was published, both Hiep and I were happy.

During the first years of holding a camera, what memory left the most impression on Doan Minh Tuan?

- I still remember that at that time, the photography equipment was very rudimentary, the light reflector had to be homemade from wrapping paper. At the end of 1991, director Le Van Duy asked me to take a set of photos for the characters in the book "The Flowers I Know", including Ms. Diem My (actress Diem My - PV).

At that time, she was a famous beauty. I had taken photos for many friends, but when I met a star of the previous generation like her, I couldn't help but feel shy and nervous. Luckily, she was very cute. When she saw me, she said: "Oh, Doan Minh Tuan? I know you, I know you take photos for newspapers", and quickly accepted.

On the day of the shoot, she showed up on time and worked very professionally. I spent the first 10 minutes being overwhelmed and "trembling" before her beauty. We took pictures enthusiastically from morning to night, forgetting to eat lunch. Only when I finished did she stand up and say: "Oh, I'm so tired" but before that, she did not complain at all but supported all my requests extremely professionally.

Have you ever felt lucky to have had the chance to meet and take pictures of so many famous beauties?

- I always felt very lucky. But I didn't make friends with them to gain fame or do any business. At that time, I was just one of the few people who took press photos and calendar photos without opening a photo studio.

For me, taking photos is both a way to satisfy my passion and an opportunity to show off my talent. I am a person who likes to preserve, so after all these years, I still take out the photos to look at again. On this occasion, I also want to recall the beautiful memories of the previous generation with my friends. When you are mentioned and appreciated by everyone, I am also very happy.

So have you ever had a crush on a beautiful woman?

- I was drunk, of course I was (laughs). In front of the most beautiful women in Vietnam at that time, it would be wrong to say I was not drunk because in front of a character, even a wrinkled old lady, the photographer must see the beauty of that character to be able to express it in his work. Moreover, I was their friend, knew quite well about the interesting features of each person, so not only was I moved by their beauty, but I also admired their career, talent and personality.

Unforgettable memories when taking photos for Mong Van, Diem Huong, Viet Trinh...

When did Doan Minh Tuan and actress Mong Van become close?

- Mong Van was busy performing so she appeared less often at school than her friends. After a while, around 1992, I met Van again and was overwhelmed by how different she was. Before that, Van was already beautiful, but that day she was even more gorgeous and elegant. Van gave the impression of a star full of energy, a very attractive beauty. The two brothers were excited when they met again, and have been close friends for nearly 3 decades now.

Besides appearance, what about Mong Van's personality impressed you the most?

- Mong Van may look elegant, but she is very thoughtful when it comes to taking care of her family. Van is originally from Hue and is very meticulous. From cleaning, cooking, housekeeping, to educating her children, she is very meticulous. Even I, a long-time friend, am surprised and admire this personality trait.

Many times I also ask Van for her experience in raising children (laughs). Van's children are all successful and working abroad. She lives alone in Ho Chi Minh City. Last summer, the four of them had a chance to reunite after many years apart. She was very happy.

What about Diem Huong - the person known as "the number one beauty" of the 90s screen?

- Diem Huong's smile and eyes are so pure that they make people feel sympathetic. Even now, she has not worked in the industry for decades but her appeal is still very strong.

Diem Huong is very professional and enthusiastic when working, never complaining. People often joke that Diem Huong is "rubber person" because she never gets tired. Once, while taking photos from morning to afternoon, I was quite distracted, Huong reminded: "What's wrong, are you tired, Tuan?". At that moment, I woke up immediately, threw myself into work and admired even more Huong's seriousness in her profession.

Actress Viet Trinh also had many "divine" moments through Doan Minh Tuan's lens. How attractive was Viet Trinh's beauty at that time?

- Trinh has sharp features and big, dreamy eyes. Her personality is very straightforward and outspoken.

I remember the first photo shoot for Trinh was in 1991. We had known each other before. When we went to take pictures, I saw her wearing a simple jeans jacket and light makeup. I wondered, Trinh said: "I don't have any clothes, just this much."

At that time, we were young and didn’t have much experience in posing. But after taking the photo, there was a moment that really impressed me, it was a photo of Trinh with long hair, wearing a simple jeans shirt but her beauty defied all odds. That moment was very rustic and innocent. Trinh was both a bit dreamy and a bit wild and individual.

Now that I think about it, I feel so lucky, if Trinh had worn heavy makeup at that time, she wouldn't have looked so beautiful. That was also a career experience for me!

Taking photos of so many beauties, who is your favorite "muse"?

- I don't have any preference. Each girl has different beauty and personality, especially 100% natural beauty. So when taking photos, I have different ways of taking photos, asking for different poses or changing the focal length of the lens to exploit the personality and beauty of each person.

For example, Diem Huong is playful and innocent, Mong Van is gorgeous and proud, Viet Trinh is both sharp and dreamy, Y Phung is "fiery" and Ha Kieu Anh is modern. Le Khanh and Thu Ha are both from Hanoi but their gentleness is very different.

"Rumors in the industry, outsiders do not know so can be suspicious"

The friendship between you and Diem Huong has lasted for many years. Is there any moment that makes you emotional?

- Once, the two of us went to take pictures at Van Thanh Park - a famous photo-taking spot in Saigon at that time. When we arrived, Diem Huong was startled to see acquaintances. She said they invited us to take pictures, but Huong refused, saying she was busy filming but in fact she wanted to take pictures with me. She didn't expect to meet them here.

That moment helped me realize another thing about Diem Huong. That is, each of us has our own job, but when choosing, we always give priority to our friends. I appreciate even more the feelings that Huong has for me.

At the height of her fame, Diem Huong decided to withdraw from the entertainment industry, causing much regret for her fans. As a close friend, what did you share with Diem Huong about this decision?

- Each person has criteria and life goals that are suitable for each different stage. Diem Huong started working early and has a very high productivity. Perhaps she felt that she had enough, so at that stage she wanted to focus on her family and children.

Many viewers are curious about Diem Huong's current life. Do you often contact her?

- Diem Huong now lives in America. She takes good care of her children. Some of her children are grown up, some are still in school. In recent years, Huong has been traveling back and forth, having more free time. She may look like that, but she is humorous, witty, and knows how to make people laugh.

After leaving the entertainment industry, Diem Huong was very secretive, almost "lost contact" with colleagues in the profession but still kept in touch with him?

-There is no special reason. Maybe because Huong and I have known each other since university. We went through the same student life, trusted and loved each other. We also have common relationships. Huong, Mong Van and I are the three best friends. That is the motivation for us to keep in touch and meet each other more often.

Mong Van and Diem Huong are his two close friends. They have many similarities: they are both beautiful and famous, but their love lives are unlucky and they choose to stay away from showbiz?

- Being a beautiful, talented and famous woman is often at a disadvantage because when you are a public figure, your fame and career will somehow affect your love life and family. But they are all smart, talented and proactive women in everything, never letting themselves despair or drown in suffering.

How is your friendship with actor Ly Hung?

- Ly Hung and I share the same hobby of swimming. Back then, we often met at Lao Dong Swimming Pool (District 3, HCMC). Later, I realized that most of Ly Hung's portraits published in newspapers were taken by me.

Ly Hung loves his job very much, always strives and works without rest for the past 30 years. He lives a very disciplined life, is filial to his family, is very disciplined and always exercises to have the best health.

In the past, audiences really liked the couple Ly Hung - Diem Huong and often paired them together. As friends of both, how do you feel?

- The audience loves them so much on screen that they favor pairing them up. Diem Huong and Ly Hung themselves have acted with many people, but the image of the couple Ly Hung - Diem Huong has left an impression in the audience's hearts.

What about the love rumors between Ly Hung and the beauties?

-Honestly, I don’t know the truth because it’s your personal business. But I think it was a beautiful youth, no matter what happened, I will always cherish it.

Ly Hung was once paired with Mong Van and Diem Huong but they are also friends in real life. Are you comfortable hanging out in the same group of friends?

- Outsiders don't know so they may be suspicious, but we are all in the profession so we clearly understand the nature.

Like the other day when we met again, the audience also saw Ly Hung very comfortable and close with his "on-screen lovers". We are 50 years old but still innocent and carefree, sometimes calling each other brother - sister, sometimes friend - me, sometimes you - me. Despite the distance in time and geography, when we met again, everyone was excited and had many things to talk about.

"In the old generation, people in the same profession wouldn't talk badly about each other."

When the peak of instant noodle movies passed, some actors gradually left the art world. How did Doan Minh Tuan's career turn?

- After that time, everyone moves on to another stage of life. I also do not depend on photography but return to my major in filming, producing MVs, directing and editing music videos.

During the "Blue Wave" period, I made a lot of MVs. In the last 10 years, I have been working in television. However, I always remember my youth with my friends. At that time, everyone was pure and innocent. We each had our own personality, the important thing was to trust and respect each other. When hanging out with friends, you have to admire, respect, and find the beautiful values ​​in each other.

Do you remember that time because of the "legendary" calendar photos you took? How did those photos get noticed back then?

- Once I went to film in a remote countryside, everywhere I went I saw my photos, it was so much fun. Some families even hung them on the ceiling. I asked why, they said they hung them on the ceiling so I could look at them while sleeping (laughs).

In my opinion, the public's admiration for actors shows that they are real stars, and this phenomenon has not always been the case. Nowadays, there may be people who are very famous, but not stars.

As a friend of top beauties and actors, Doan Minh Tuan must know a lot of "behind the scenes" stories in the industry?

- I can sell my body but never my friends (laughs). If it's a secret, only we know it, it can't be made public. Our generation back then wouldn't have talked badly about each other while working in the same profession. The noisy gossips like today were very different from back then.

In the past, artists asserted their professional position through their ability and courage. They were kind, humble, and sincere. Of course, each person had a different path, but the common point was that they treated each other kindly.

Photographer Doan Minh Tuan with actors Ly Hung, Diem Huong, Mong Van at a recent meeting. Photo: Character provided

According to you, why do many beautiful people appear nowadays but the audience still reminisces about the beauties of the past?

- In the past, girls were beautiful in a pure, natural way, each person had their own beauty. Later on, aesthetic thinking changed, career goals were different from before. Maybe young people nowadays want to fix unsatisfactory features on their faces. When they have done the correction, they have the standard of the correction but from there they do not have the unique, natural features of each person.

I think that is also the reason why audiences still feel nostalgic when remembering the "golden generation" of the previous decades. But I think that each era has different standards and we have to accept that change. We have to admit that the younger generation is more even-looking, more dynamic, and has more diverse careers.

Does Doan Minh Tuan himself regret the fading glory of once-famous stars?

- The sun doesn't shine from morning to evening, and no one can clap from morning to evening. Clapping too much will hurt your hands (laughs).

My friends and I have no regrets. At some point, they will know which position is more suitable for them. My friends are also very proactive, preparing themselves for every situation. So when my friends withdraw, I see it as a beautiful withdrawal.

Thanks to photographer Doan Minh Tuan for this conversation!

Image:Doan Minh Tuan