'Calendar Queen' earns more than 10 taels of gold, was once mistaken for Ly Hung's wife
Possessing outstanding beauty and a series of famous roles, the actress not only gets paid a "huge" salary but also makes the audience mistakenly think she is Ly Hung's wife in real life.
For Vietnamese audiences in the early 1990s, Diem Huong was an irreplaceable name – a beauty icon, “calendar queen” and “first screen beauty” of the time. Her pure, fragile beauty and expressive eyes helped her become the most beloved face in commercial films – also known as “instant noodle” films.
Diem Huong's real name is Ngo Hoang Dieu Huong, born in 1970. She possesses a gentle, attractive beauty with a delicate face, smooth white skin and a characteristic clear gaze.
During the late 1980s to early 1990s, Diem Huong was a face that covered the big screen with a series of hit films such asPham Cong – Cuc Hoa, Kieu Nguyet Nga, Hai Lua Phieu Du, Distant Love, Student Tears, Encirclement of Sin.Those roles not only brought her name to the top but also engraved Diem Huong's image in the minds of many generations of audiences.
Standing out among dozens of contemporary actresses, Diem Huong not only covered the screen with her roles but was also the most sought-after name on wall calendars, student notebooks, notebook covers... At that time, presence on calendar photos was a measure of reputation.
Possessing a round, kind face, big, sparkling eyes, a gentle smile and an indescribable pure temperament, Diem Huong became the “dream girl” of many people. Although she acted with many famous actors, the couple Diem Huong – Ly Hung is still considered a legend.
From movies to wall calendars, images of the two together have been mistaken by the public for a real-life couple.
In an interview, actor Ly Hung revealed that he had many times "laughed and cried" because the audience mistook him for Diem Huong's real-life husband.
Because the two often acted together in famous movies of the 90s, playing lovers or husband and wife with many romantic scenes, their image gradually became ingrained in the public's mind as a real couple.
“Every time I go on tour to the Central or Northern regions, the audience asks me why I don’t bring my wife along. I’m surprised and ask: “Why don’t I bring my wife when I’ve never been married?” People say: “Ly Hung is always joking, Diem Huong is Ly Hung’s wife,” Ly Hung said.
He explained many times, but the audience still did not believe. Even when the two were no longer acting together, he still often received handwritten letters wishing… that they were really married. He had to hire assistants to write handwritten letters to each audience member so they would understand.
During her heyday, Diem Huong received a salary of more than 10 taels of gold - an astonishing figure at that time. Artist Quyen Linh once revealed that he had to ask to act as an extra for many days without pay just to see her and get her autograph.
Artist Hong Van also recounted that once when she performed in Da Nang, a large crowd of spectators gathered under the hotel. Diem Huong had to wear ao dai and a conical hat and go out to the balcony to wave and blow kisses for more than 20 minutes just to please the fans.
Photographer Doan Minh Tuan, who has taken many famous calendar photos, commented that Diem Huong is one of the most professional and beautiful actresses he has ever met:“There were days when I took photos from morning to afternoon and I was tired, but Huong still smiled and posed the whole time without a single complaint.”
However, at the peak of her career, in 1997, Diem Huong suddenly disappeared from showbiz. Many sources said that the reason was her love affair with an overseas Vietnamese. However, Diem Huong did not make any announcement, quietly withdrawing, leaving the public stunned and regretful.
Later, many close colleagues revealed that Diem Huong married a lawyer 18 years older than her, settled abroad, and lived a private life with her husband and four children.
According to artist Hong Van, despite being the mother of four children, Diem Huong still maintains her youthful beauty and graceful demeanor as ever. Not using social networks, not participating in events, Diem Huong's name has almost "disappeared" but her image still lives forever in the memories of cinema lovers.
In 2022, Diem Huong caused a stir when she suddenly appeared with her old co-star Ly Hung. This reunion surprised the audience when they saw Diem Huong's still radiant beauty. Ly Hung shared:“Seeing Huong again after many years, I see she is still the same – innocent, cute and… still surprisingly beautiful.”
Currently, Diem Huong lives a private life in the US with her family. Although she has been away from the stage for nearly three decades, she still maintains her love for art. When she misses her profession, Diem Huong quietly re-opens old films she used to act in and sheds tears. However, she has never had any intention of returning to the screen, just wanting to live a peaceful life with her family.
Although not active in the arts, Diem Huong still keeps in touch with old friends such as actors Mong Van, Ngoc Hiep, Quyen Linh, and Doan Minh Tuan.
After the spotlight, Diem Huong chose a quiet life, without much fuss. The image of the muse with a clear gaze from years ago is still imprinted in the hearts of the audience - as a timeless beauty symbol of Vietnamese cinema.
