Vietnam’s hottest male model, Binh Minh, talks about being good in a decadent entertainment world.
Binh Minh became the country’s number one male model after winning Vietnam’s Asia Model Hunt Contest in 2002.
Since then, he’s starred in some 10 TV series and films, and even got married last month, to the disappointment of thousands of Vietnamese teenyboppers nationwide.
In this Thanh Nien Daily interview, the “king” of the Vietnamese modeling industry speaks about his success, and what it took to make it.
Many fans say you are too young to be married. What do you think?
People say I was too quick to get married at 27.
But to tell the truth, if I had met my present wife earlier, I would have married her when I was even younger.
We dated for more than three years before deciding to marry.
I am lucky to have her in my life.
She is extremely sympathetic to my career, have a lot in common and share a deep mutual understanding.
Does your wife, a manager at HCMC’s five-star Caravelle Hotel, assist you with your business?
Yes, she has helped me and my colleagues a great deal with managing our advertising company.
Besides her excellent business smarts, what impressed me the most about her is her great love – for both me and for the people around us.
You are considered the number one male supermodel in Vietnam. Why didn’t you open a modeling agency to take advantage of your reputation?
Over the past few years, many modeling agencies have been established.
I am not afraid of the competition, but I don’t want to vie with my friends to make a living.
The directors of most of Vietnam’s famous modeling companies are my close friends.
I thought I choose another business so that we can cooperate with one another rather than compete.
This way, my friends’ agencies can provide my advertising company with the hottest new faces and vice versa.
My company, Long Khang Advertising Company, was established at the end of last year in cooperation with my best friend, stylist Long Kan.
When you initially began your career you faced a great deal of hardship. Is it hard to believe you made it?
When I came to HCMC from my small mountain town, I had neither friends nor relatives here.
I had nothing but a couple of bucks.
But I knew I wasn’t the kind of person who would do “anything” to become a successful model.
I had a degree from Maritime University, so I always knew that if I couldn’t make it in the entertainment industry in HCMC, that would not be the impasse.
I always had the option of coming home to become a captain.
It is said that of all Vietnamese male models, local gay men like you the most. In Vietnam, male models are often solicited by rich homosexuals. Have you had any experience with this?
When I decided to pursue a modeling career, I knew there was no way around this industry quirk.
Some men said they would pay me more for private shows, some offered me better money and a better life if I went away with them.
At first, I was frightened because I had never met homosexuals before.
But I learned that it’s really a simple situation.
For me, it was just about resisting the temptation of riches.
People have different thoughts and emotions.
I respect those who support me, but it doesn’t mean I should receive gifts that I would have to pay for with my dignity.
How do you assess your achievements so far?
Modeling has given me my life’s passion, money and a healthy social life.
It has also brought me into the movie industry and to my current business.
I was born to be a model.
All in all, the job has given me the world and I have paid nothing for it.
At present, I am happy with my career, my beloved wife, and my kind friends.
Do you have any advice for aspiring male models?
I think I was lucky to hit the stage at the right time when the fashion industry began to demand male models.
To become a famous model, the first and foremost thing one must have is an attractive, well-proportioned body.
To this end, I exercise regularly and keep a reasonable diet.
Another important thing is the ability to perform in a way that captures the style of the product you are modeling.
Last but not least, one must be punctual.
Seriousness and professionalism make for a long career and outstanding reputation.
Modeling is a harsh career that is less kind the older you get. What about your future goals?
I don’t have any inclination to stop modeling.
Once I’m too old for the catwalks, I’ll still be available to promote products for middle-aged men… (laugh!).
I have three lifelong targets – continuing to model, expanding my advertising company, and becoming a movie star.
Binh Minh became the country’s number one male model after winning Vietnam’s Asia Model Hunt Contest in 2002.
Since then, he’s starred in some 10 TV series and films, and even got married last month, to the disappointment of thousands of Vietnamese teenyboppers nationwide.
In this Thanh Nien Daily interview, the “king” of the Vietnamese modeling industry speaks about his success, and what it took to make it.
Many fans say you are too young to be married. What do you think?
People say I was too quick to get married at 27.
But to tell the truth, if I had met my present wife earlier, I would have married her when I was even younger.
We dated for more than three years before deciding to marry.
I am lucky to have her in my life.
She is extremely sympathetic to my career, have a lot in common and share a deep mutual understanding.
Does your wife, a manager at HCMC’s five-star Caravelle Hotel, assist you with your business?
Yes, she has helped me and my colleagues a great deal with managing our advertising company.
Besides her excellent business smarts, what impressed me the most about her is her great love – for both me and for the people around us.
You are considered the number one male supermodel in Vietnam. Why didn’t you open a modeling agency to take advantage of your reputation?
Over the past few years, many modeling agencies have been established.
I am not afraid of the competition, but I don’t want to vie with my friends to make a living.
The directors of most of Vietnam’s famous modeling companies are my close friends.
I thought I choose another business so that we can cooperate with one another rather than compete.
This way, my friends’ agencies can provide my advertising company with the hottest new faces and vice versa.
My company, Long Khang Advertising Company, was established at the end of last year in cooperation with my best friend, stylist Long Kan.
When you initially began your career you faced a great deal of hardship. Is it hard to believe you made it?
When I came to HCMC from my small mountain town, I had neither friends nor relatives here.
I had nothing but a couple of bucks.
But I knew I wasn’t the kind of person who would do “anything” to become a successful model.
I had a degree from Maritime University, so I always knew that if I couldn’t make it in the entertainment industry in HCMC, that would not be the impasse.
I always had the option of coming home to become a captain.
It is said that of all Vietnamese male models, local gay men like you the most. In Vietnam, male models are often solicited by rich homosexuals. Have you had any experience with this?
When I decided to pursue a modeling career, I knew there was no way around this industry quirk.
Some men said they would pay me more for private shows, some offered me better money and a better life if I went away with them.
At first, I was frightened because I had never met homosexuals before.
But I learned that it’s really a simple situation.
For me, it was just about resisting the temptation of riches.
People have different thoughts and emotions.
I respect those who support me, but it doesn’t mean I should receive gifts that I would have to pay for with my dignity.
How do you assess your achievements so far?
Modeling has given me my life’s passion, money and a healthy social life.
It has also brought me into the movie industry and to my current business.
I was born to be a model.
All in all, the job has given me the world and I have paid nothing for it.
At present, I am happy with my career, my beloved wife, and my kind friends.
Do you have any advice for aspiring male models?
I think I was lucky to hit the stage at the right time when the fashion industry began to demand male models.
To become a famous model, the first and foremost thing one must have is an attractive, well-proportioned body.
To this end, I exercise regularly and keep a reasonable diet.
Another important thing is the ability to perform in a way that captures the style of the product you are modeling.
Last but not least, one must be punctual.
Seriousness and professionalism make for a long career and outstanding reputation.
Modeling is a harsh career that is less kind the older you get. What about your future goals?
I don’t have any inclination to stop modeling.
Once I’m too old for the catwalks, I’ll still be available to promote products for middle-aged men… (laugh!).
I have three lifelong targets – continuing to model, expanding my advertising company, and becoming a movie star.
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