On my very last night in Hanoi, I had the privilege of meeting Thanh Hai Pham, the lead in Viet & Nam, and Nguyễn Nam Linh, who plays the daughter in Don’t Cry, Butterfly. Both films premiered at international festivals in 2024/25, and this casual coffee meeting offered an intimate glimpse into the lives of these young actors.

Despite the acclaim of their first major roles, both Thanh Hai and Nam Linh exuded warmth, humility, and a grounded approach to life. They spoke openly about how they landed their roles: Nam Linh, then a production assistant on Viet & Nam, was recommended by the producer and embraced the opportunity, while Thanh Hai, a game designer in his day-to-day life, shared some of his incredible design work. Their stories of touring films at international festivals were filled with wonder and awe, but they were equally clear that life in Vietnam simply resumed afterward.

What stood out most was the contrast between their experiences and those of young actors in the West. Their approach to acting, and life, is unpretentious. They focus on living comfortably, pursuing what they love, and embracing the moment. Their performances were exceptional, and in person, they were equally remarkable, gracious, thoughtful, and entirely genuine. Meeting them was not just inspiring; it was a lesson in humility, dedication, and joy. Also they literally did not stop smiling and I love that they were best friends and came together for a coffee with joy.