The fear of actress Hoang Xuan, a once-famous actress in her 50s.

- At nearly 50 years old, you're still young and beautiful, and recently you've been acting in films more frequently. Does this mean Hoang Xuan has more time for art?

I just turned down a film because I want to dedicate my time to supporting my children's education. My eldest daughter is taking her university entrance exams this year. She's a very good girl, she just studies. Filming takes up a lot of time. For example, last year I accepted two film projects at the same time.Walking amidst the brilliant skyandThe Secret Order of the Milk FlowerSome days I leave for work before my daughter wakes up, and by the time I get home she's already asleep. Other days I leave home at 6 am and don't get back until after 4 am the next morning. Honestly, I often feel guilty towards her. My daughter is about to finish her 12 years of schooling, so I want to be with her as much as possible.

I want to wait until July, after my child finishes their university entrance exams, before considering returning to filmmaking. Recently, someone from VTV offered me a role in a new film, but I told them I needed a few more days to think about it.

The acting profession has suitable roles for people of all ages, so the important thing is to be fully committed once you've accepted a role. To achieve that, your home life needs to be stable. Only then can I travel with the film crew without worrying about other things. My younger sister is currently on the U14 team of the Hanoi Women's Club, so she only comes home every two weeks.

I believe all my sacrifices were worthwhile.

- Why did you agree to let your daughter pursue a professional football career?

Talking about her is a long story. She's suffered a lot. My daughter and I have been together for so many years, and I'm incredibly happy that she's where she is now. I only care about what my daughter wants and whether she can fulfill her passion. We have an agreement that if she can't keep up with the team after this year, she has to go back to school.

However, I will also let my son pursue amateur football and fulfill his wish to attend the University of Physical Education and Sports and then study abroad. He has agreed to that deal, and I am now seeing him determined to achieve his goals. I see a huge difference in him; he is more independent and mature, so I am truly very happy right now.

What I have is the result of my hard work and that of my whole family. That's the happiness of a mother. For women, the most important thing is that their children live decent, respectable lives and pursue their passions.

- During the time you were away from the arts to take care of your children, did you miss your profession? Did you feel your sacrifice was worthwhile?

I am content with everything I have done and chosen because each thing has its own value. I feel that all my sacrifices have been worthwhile. Occasionally, every two years, I take on a small role to ease my longing for acting and to have time to take care of my children.

Last year, when my daughter joined the national team, I had more free time, so I accepted a film project and worked non-stop from May to December. However, since the beginning of this year, I haven't dared to accept any film projects, even though I'd love to. This isn't a priority for me; I want to dedicate more time to my daughter as she transitions into school and grows into adulthood.

- You're a family-oriented person, but last year you spent eight months on film sets. Where did you find the time to spend with your children and manage household chores?

The most fundamental reason is that the person who needs my care the most is right there on the national team. My older child can manage everything on their own, but I still often go to the market to pack ready-made food in the fridge so they can cook for themselves when they get home. When I'm filming, I also asked the crew not to shoot two evenings a week because I have to take my child to and from school far away. Luckily, everyone was supportive, so I was able to do two or three things at once.

Whether you are happy or not depends on yourself.

- Many viewers commented that your glamorous image doesn't suit playing suffering roles; you're more suited to playing wealthy or president characters. Are you as rich and comfortable in real life as you are in the movies?

I believe happiness depends on oneself. At this point, I'm reasonably satisfied with my current life. But honestly, getting to where I am now has been the result of relentless effort. During high school, my family was poor and my parents worked very hard. I was always late paying my tuition.

That's why I've always been determined. My peak was in 1998-1999 with incredibly high fees. Some days I would shoot calendar photos from morning till night. Sometimes a simple product advertisement at that time would earn me tens of thousands of USD. I've been conscious of saving since then. When I got married, I also had my own assets. Therefore, I always believe that happiness and suffering depend on oneself; nothing comes naturally, and haste makes waste.

- Surely the acting fees aren't enough to support you and your family?

I still have my own job and am currently in charge of all marketing for my family's company. In 2008, I decided to move from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi to work for my sister and start a flower business, making artificial flowers. At that time, I had some assets, money, a house, and a car, but for me, that wasn't the end point because if you stop striving, you'll never progress further.

Now, even though I could relax and just sit back and support my children, in this new era, if you don't move forward, you'll fall behind. I want my children to look at me and see that their mother is still striving. My eldest daughter once said something to me that still brings tears to my eyes when I think about it: "When I grow up, I will be a mother like you." That statement from my daughter motivates me to try even harder.