Biography

Born Do Thi Hai Yen in Bac Ninh Province, Vietnam, Yen started her acting career in 1999 at 17 years of age with a minor role in The Vertical Ray of the Sun (2000), and then in 2002 in Song of the Stork (2002), which took her to the Paris Film Festival in 2003, as the film was nominated for a Grand Prix Award, and had previously won Best Feature Film at the Milan Film Festival that same year.

Her break out role came in 2002 when she was cast as the female love interest in The Quiet American (2002). She followed that with leading roles in Chuyen cua Pao (2006), Adrift (2009), and The Floating Lives (2010). Do Thi Hai Yen's latest work at the time of this writing was in the 2015 production of Big Father, Small Father and Other Stories (2015)

Do Thi Hai Yen is also a Vietnamese ambassador and honor guest for several luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Motorola V8Luxury, and Escada.

- IMDb Mini Biography By: Unknownian

Do Thi Hai Yen is a Vietnamese actress, producer and entrepreneur. A Satellite Award nominee for Best Supporting Actress, Hai Yen is the first Vietnamese actress to have reached international acclaim in Hollywood.

Born in Bac Ninh Province, Vietnam; Hai Yen spent her formative years in Ha Noi, where she studied and graduated from Vietnam Ballet school. At the age of 17, Hai Yen was casted in her first role in Tran Anh Hung's French film "The Vertical Ray of the Sun". Which was nominated for Chlotrudis Awards for Best Cast and Best Cinematography in 2002. In 2000, Hai Yen appeared again in "Song of the Stork," directed by Jonathan Foo and Phan Quan Binh Nguyen. The film was awarded "Best Feature Film" at the Milano Film Festival in 2002 and was nominated for Grand Prix award at the Paris Film Festival in 2003.

In 2001, Hai Yen starred as leading role in "The Quiet American," alongside Academy Award winners, Sir Michael Caine and Brandon Fraser. Establishing herself as the leading actress in Vietnam, her role as Phuong marked the first time in history that a Vietnamese actress was selected as the main English speaking character in a Hollywood movie.

"The Quiet American" received numerous accolades, including American Film Institute Film of the Year, London Critics' Circle Film Awards, a Satellite award and National Board of Review Award. With a total of 13 nominations, including an Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, and BAFTA, "The Quiet American" received critical acclaim worldwide.

In 2005, Hai Yen starred and co-produced her first film "Story of Pao" with Ngo Quang Hai, a touching story depicting a young girl from the Hmong population, searching for her birth mother. The film received 4 Golden Kite Awards, including Best Feature Film and Best Actress. Hai Yen received the Curtain Call award - the summit of emerging Asian stars - at Pusan International Film Festival in 2006. As well as the Golden Lotus award for Best Actress in 2007.

The film received further Special Jury Award at the Asian Pacific Film Festival and received Official Selections for numerous categories at Montreal World Film Festival, Pusan International Film Festival, Cinequest Film Festival and Bangkok International Film Festival, in 2007. "Story of Pao" was selected as Viet Nam's Official Academy Award submission for the category of Best Foreign Language Film in 2007.

Beyond the film industry, the "Story of Pao" established a connection within Academia. Screened in top tier Universities such as Harvard University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Yale University, Dartmouth College, University of California Berkeley, University of California Los Angeles, and University of Southern California; the "Story of Pao" garnered appreciation for both cinematography and narrative.

In 2008, Hai Yen starred in the leading role in "Choi Voi" (Adrift), a film directed by Bui Thac Chuyen, co-produced between Vietnam and France. Set in modern Vietnam, the film portrays homosexuality and loneliness of a young generation. "Choi Voi" was selected to participate in Venice Film Festival, Toronto Film Festival, Pusan Film Festival, and Bangkok International Film Festival. It was awarded the International Critics Prize during the 66th Venice Film Festival 2009. At the Cines del Sur Festival 2010, the film won the NETPAC award.

In 2010, Hai Yen starred in "Canh Dong Bat Tan" (Floating Lives), directed by Nguyen Phan Quang Binh, based on author Nguyen Thi Ngoc Tu's bestselling short story "Boundless Rice Field." Hai Yen was awarded Best Actress at Vietnam International Film Festival. The movie premiered in 15th Pusan International Film Festival and was selected to participate in Cinemanila International Film Festival, Far East Film Festival, Asian Film Festival, and Vietnam International Film Festival. Awarded a Golden Kite for Best Picture in 2010.

In 2015, Hai Yen returned to the role of co-producer, whilst cast as leading role in "Cha, Con và..." (Big Father, Small Father and Other Stories) directed by Phan Dang Di. The film premiered at 65th Berlin International Film Festival, becoming the first Vietnamese film to compete in world renowned film festivals. Including Belin International Film Festival, Hongkong International Film Festival, Nantes Three Continents Film Festival, Chéries-Chéris, Five Flavors Asian Film Festival, and CinemAsia Film Festival. The film was awarded the Young Audience Award at the Nantes Three Continents Film Festival in 2015, and commercially released in Paris cinemas in 2016.

Throughout her career, Hai Yen served as Vietnamese ambassador to luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Escada and more.

Following the birth of her first son in 2015, Hai Yen took a sabbatical from acting to journey into entrepreneurship. In 2018, Hai Yen and her husband Calvin Tai Lam founded Lavelle Academy, a preschool focused on green living and learning where a children's sense of wonder is nurtured.

Since then, Lavelle Living was established as a lifestyle brand dedicated to bringing joying experiences through innovative daily living. Through varying channels such as dining, home decor, dance and art, the Lavelle Living aims to curate experiences and exhibitions to the community to foster connection with art and nature.



List of Awards Received by Do Thi Hai Yen

. 2002 - Golden Satellite Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Drama - "The Quiet American" (Nominated) . 2006 - Viet Nam Cinematography Association's Golden Kite for Best Actress - 2006 "Story of Pao" (Won) . 2006 - Curtain Call - the summit of emerging Asian stars at Pusan International Film Festival - "Story of Pao" (Won) . 2007 - Viet Nam Film Festival - Golden Lotus for Best Actress - "Story of Pao" (Won) . 2010 - Vietnam International Film Festival - Best Actress Award - "Floating Lives" (Won)

List of Jury Affiliation . Member of the International Jury for the Featured film Competition "EurAsia" in Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. . Member of the International Jury for the Featured film Competition at Meridian Film Festival. . Member of the Jury for the Featured film Competition at Vietnam Cinematography Association's Golden Kite. . Member of the Jury for Featured film Competition at Vietnam International Film Festival

- IMDb Mini Biography By: Crystal Lam