On Victor Vu’s 50th birthday on 25/11, Dinh Ngoc Diep shared a video capturing moments with her husband, writing, "Half a century is not just a number but a journey you've traveled with passion, perseverance, and a heart always dedicated to family. Happy birthday, my dear husband."

Victor Vu and Dinh Ngoc Diep stand together in life. Video: Provided by subject.

The couple first met while collaborating on Victor Vu's debut feature film in Vietnam, *Chuyen Tinh Xa Xu*, released in 2008. Their romantic relationship developed after years of working together. Victor Vu initially knew Dinh Ngoc Diep only through her public persona. Over time, he observed her deep love for family, witnessing her care and attention towards her parents and siblings. He realized she was not only cheerful and carefree but also kind and profound.

Victor Vu entered her life during a challenging period when she felt unbalanced and disillusioned with her career. He quietly offered support for her studies, helping her regain a positive outlook. Dinh Ngoc Diep was touched when Victor Vu purchased books for her to use in charity work. The director admitted his admiration for Dinh Ngoc Diep, stating that his support was a natural way to get to know her better. He proposed to the actress at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France, in 2012, and they married in Ho Chi Minh City in 2016.

The artist couple in matching outfits on national day 2/9. Photo: Provided by subject.

Since marrying, the couple has collaborated professionally. Dinh Ngoc Diep, a self-taught, intuitive actress, transitioned into a film producer. She manages household finances, then expanded into marketing, film sales, investment, and crisis management for Victor Vu's projects. Despite admitting she is not adept with numbers, her husband's trust empowered her to take on responsibilities he once handled alone.

In her role as a producer, Dinh Ngoc Diep understands the need to foster her husband's creative process. She is the first to read his scripts, watch his films, and even approves content Victor Vu posts on social media. She believes her strong writing skills provide the sensitivity required to balance the often-dry technical aspects of his films.

Victor Vu respects his wife's decisions, never pressuring her into tasks she dislikes. He shared his experience of working in office IT for seven years, which nearly led to depression, making him understand the burden of unfulfilling work. He patiently guided his wife on how to write emails without being overly emotional and how to communicate to avoid misunderstandings. Despite this, as a disciplined director, Victor Vu maintains strict principles and does not show favoritism, even to his wife. Dinh Ngoc Diep still had to audition for roles in his films, including the character Hanh in *Tham Tu Kien*.

Beyond their professional lives, the couple finds joy in spending time with their children. They enjoy taking their sons on outings or exposing them to new experiences during film shoots. Their two sons, though raised in the city, adapt to various environments, comfortably playing with farm animals in rural settings. Victor Vu rarely socializes with friends, prioritizing returning home to play with his children. When not engaged in film projects, he takes the family on trips, strengthening their bonds.

Dinh Ngoc Diep credits her mother-in-law's advice, "treat each other with respect as if newlywed," as key to their marital happiness. They work to reconcile their opposing personalities to keep their marriage vibrant. Victor Vu describes himself as introverted and meticulous. He rarely expresses emotions and insists on thorough, careful, and detailed preparation, down to every punctuation mark in a script. In contrast, Dinh Ngoc Diep is carefree, frank, speaks her mind, and enjoys expressing herself playfully. She often "collects" her husband's smiles by teasing him to create a cheerful atmosphere at home.

The couple's romance stems from small, everyday moments. Victor Vu expresses affection by kissing her cheek and reminding her to eat well. Dinh Ngoc Diep enjoys writing cards for her husband on special occasions.

The actress stated that 10 years of living with Victor Vu has been a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. "Our love is perseverance, empathy, and connection over time", she said.

Dinh Ngoc Diep and Victor Vu with their two sons visited family in the US in july this year. Photo: Provided by subject.

Dinh Ngoc Diep won the title of Miss Tay Do in 2004 and Favorite Model at the Nguoi Mau Viet Nam awards in 2006. She also hosted the television program *Thoi Trang va Cuoc Song*. The beauty is known for the series *Anh Chi Co Minh Em*, *Hoa Da Quy*, *Mua Thuy Tinh*, and feature films like *Chuyen Tinh Xa Xu*, *Co Dau Dai Chien*, and *Nguoi Bat Tu*. In addition to acting, she served as a film producer for *Toi Thay Hoa Vang Tren Co Xanh* and *Nguoi Vo Cuoi Cung*.

Victor Vu has made his mark with films such as *Co Dau Dai Chien*, *Thien Menh Anh Hung*, *Scandal*, and *Qua Tim Mau*. In 2015, *Toi Thay Hoa Vang Tren Co Xanh*, adapted from Nguyen Nhat Anh's story, became a box office sensation, earning Victor Vu the Best Director award for feature film at the Vietnam Film Festival. In 2019, *Mat Biec*, an adaptation of the novel, grossed 180 billion VND, ranking among the top 5 highest-grossing Vietnamese films at the time, and won the Golden Lotus award in 2021.

Hoang Dung