A major event completely changed the life of actress Hong Dao.

I think it's time to live for myself.

- At the beginning of 2024, Hong Dao appeared in the highest-grossing film in history, "Mai", and at the end of the year, she closed the book with the main role in "Linh Luc - Quy Nhap Trang". How do you arrange your time to travel back and forth between the US and Vietnam to film continuously like that?

Actually, I have more free time now because my children have finished college and graduated, have jobs, even have lovers and their own lives. I think this is the time to live for my passion, do whatever I like.

Traveling so much, in addition to working I also combine it with going out. Like recently making a movie.LynxIn Hue, on the days I don't film, I try all the food in Hue and then take the train to Da Nang to play. I do everything with a relaxed mindset and no pressure because I've been in showbiz for so long, I've experienced everything, so now I really enjoy the work I do.

- What is so interesting about the role of Me Bich in "Linh lich - Quy nhap trang" that convinced Hong Dao to participate?

The interesting thing is that I have never watched any horror movies before, I just turn on the TV and see the blood and gore and I turn it off. But since I have never acted in a horror movie in my life, I thought why not do it?

In the movieTomorrow,My character often says: 'Life is too short'(Life is very short- PV) so this is the time I want to do all kinds of roles I've never done before. That's why I accepted the role of Me Bich inLynxand try acting in a horror movie. In addition, the crew also wanted to convey Vietnamese culture through the movie, so I agreed to participate because I thought it was a good idea. When I read the script, I found the story and the interesting twists and turns.

After 5 days of filming the cemetery scene, I told director Vo Thanh Hoa that I couldn’t stand it anymore and asked to return to Ho Chi Minh City. That night, I dragged my suitcase back to my apartment and slept straight through until morning, even without my assistant sleeping with me like usual. That’s why I think thanks to this horror movie, I’m less afraid of ghosts.(laugh).

- In the movie "Linh Luc", you had many scenes with Miss Thuy Tien. As a veteran actor, what was interesting about acting with an amateur actor for the first time?

When I first met Thuy Tien, I didn't think this was her first time acting in a movie. I found her to be very professional, always punctual and intelligent. The first day I practiced pronouncing Hue dialect, I already couldn't speak well and couldn't understand what Thuy Tien was saying.(laugh).

After that, I went back to the US for 3 weeks and when I came back, I saw that Thuy Tien was completely different because she had practiced and was very determined. When filming a difficult scene, even though everyone wanted to quit, Thuy Tien wanted to do more to have a better choice. I think in her first role, Thuy Tien did very well.

Now I don't worry as much as I used to.

- Before meeting you, I looked up your real age because I heard people say that Hong Dao is young and full of energy in real life, and that's true. So what is your secret to maintaining your youthfulness?

Thanks to the professional makeup artist who helped me look like this today.(laugh).But maybe it was because I had been training since I was young. I was very careful, I checked my weight every morning and had a tape measure to measure my body.

But for about 5 years now, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve allowed myself to relax a bit, not requiring my body to be as perfect as before. I eat more, gain a little weight, but still maintain waking up at 5am, jogging 6-7km, then going to the gym to lift weights within my capacity. I allow myself to eat carelessly 1-2 days a week, but after that I have to be more careful.

- I heard that you had a serious health incident a few years ago. Did that affect your thinking and lifestyle?

I have serious health problems. I am very careful about what I eat and exercise regularly, but when I get sick, it gets very serious. Meanwhile, I have friends who live comfortably, eat whatever they want but do not get sick. That is why, after the incident, I thought I had to loosen up and do what I like because life is very short. Now I do not worry too much like I used to.

Before, I always thought that if my child graduated and got a job with that salary, would he be able to save money to buy a house? Now, I enjoy my current life. For example, when I go to Hanoi this season, I try to buy a bunch of daisies and I feel happy. I seek joy every day. I often watch Korean romantic movies and remember a character who puts a piece of paper into a jar every day to write down everything he has encountered, whether it is happy or sad. I also imitate that but only write happy stories.

Now I'm alone

- You said you have more time now because your children are grown. I wonder if your two daughters live with you?

In America, when they turn 18, they go to college and after they finish school, they are independent. I told my children that I only take care of them for the remaining 4 years of college. After that, if they want to study more, they have to borrow money from the school and the government. After 4 years of studying, luckily they found jobs and did not rely on me. Now I live alone, but my parents live very close by. In the morning, my grandmother walks over and in the evening, she comes home to my grandfather, while I live alone.

- When you're not making films, what's your daily life like in the US?

Over there, I still go to shows on weekends and work as a representative for a government insurance company for the elderly. After finishing my work in Vietnam, I return to the US and have a very peaceful life. I wake up early in the morning to exercise, then talk to my parents and go to work. I have a group of friends who occasionally go out to eat together. Many people may find it a bit boring, but I like this kind of life after all the hustle and bustle, fun, and glamour.

No need to look for a shoulder to lean on

- Have you thought about finding a shoulder to lean on in your old age to avoid loneliness?

I think I am very happy, fulfilled and satisfied now. Whenever I feel like I need a shoulder to cry on, I will go find one. After finishing my work in Vietnam, I return to the US and my children come back to cook and chat with me. I also have many friends there to confide in.

- Many artists when they get old choose to return to Vietnam, have you thought about that possibility?

I haven’t thought about that yet. Actually, my thoughts on where I will live and where I will move will change depending on some unforeseen event. Right now, I go back and forth between Vietnam and the US because my two children are still there. Even though they are grown (the oldest is 28, the youngest is 22), they still need my attention. The three of us have a group chat where we share anything. Maybe right now they need me as a shoulder to cry on and they are my shoulder too.

- Do you regret that your two daughters do not pursue art?

Both of my children have been learning piano since they were 5 years old and are very good at it. I let them learn everything from dancing to playing instruments. When I was in high school, there was a program about Broadway musicals. My eldest daughter was very passionate about this subject, but after 12th grade, she did not choose to pursue art. They live a private life, using private social networks only in a closed group. But I am happy that they have such a peaceful life. Pursuing art requires passion, overcoming all joys, anger, love and hate, so if you are not passionate, you should choose another life because showbiz requires many trade-offs!

- Looking back at all the glory and loss, what do you think you had to give up to be able to pursue acting until now?

Later, I was startled to realize that from the time my children were born until they were 18, I had never been home for Christmas or New Year because I was too busy with work. Because my children understood that their parents had to go to work on those days, I felt that they were at a disadvantage. When my children were young, they always had to stay with their grandparents on weekends. The sacrifice they had to make was also a loss for me.

My Anh