The artist discusses her return to acting and how she balances life after personal challenges, coinciding with her roles in the films "Gio ngang khoang troi xanh" and "Dong ho dem nguoc".

**Why have you been appearing on screen so frequently recently?**

These two roles came at a time when I was eager to return to work after childbirth and experiencing personal turmoil. For me, it's a form of therapy. When I'm in front of the camera, I get to do what I love, temporarily step away from the pressures of my private life, and focus solely on the character. That makes me feel much lighter.

The decision to divorce helped me rediscover myself. Thanks to that, I find my acting more natural and convincing. Previously, I carried too many burdens and responsibilities, always striving to manage everything. That tension sometimes affected my performance.

When I accepted the role of Linh in "Gio ngang khoang troi xanh", I anticipated the character would face criticism, so I limited reading online comments. Fortunately, the role of Tho in "Dong ho dem nguoc" has received positive feedback. Most recently, I also participated in a feature film playing an angry and pained mother. This was a challenging yet interesting and moving role.

Lan Phuong with her two daughters, Lina, eight, and Mia, two. Courtesy of interviewee

**With your busy work schedule, how do you manage time with your two daughters?**

My children are the greatest spiritual motivation in my life. I strive to be a "safe anchor" for them with unconditional love. Lately, I haven't taken on long-term roles, mostly supporting or minor parts, which allows me to finish work in a few days and then dedicate all my time to my two little ones. There were days when I drove four and a half hours to Son La to film, then immediately returned to Hanoi that night, as I had promised my children. Last year, I also frequently flew to TP HCM early in the morning and returned late at night. Juggling many things at once is difficult, but I feel I can still maintain balance.

For the past two months, after finishing the feature film, I no longer need overnight help as before; I personally take care of my children's daily lives and studies. As a result, the three of us have more time to bond. Lina, my eight-year-old eldest daughter, is becoming more independent, caring, and shares with her mother. Her spirits are also much more relaxed and cheerful than before. Besides accompanying my children, I learn to make time for myself. I've returned to activities I once loved, like jogging and dancing, which help me feel light and happy.

Lan Phuong plays Tho, a wealthy woman who falls for a younger man and is swindled in "Dong ho dem nguoc". VFC

**How do you help your children cope with their parents' separation?**

Children are very sensitive to changes in the family. A child's brain isn't developed enough to analyze right from wrong, so they often fall into a state of confusion. Many questions will pop into their heads: "Do mom and dad still love me, why is everything different?". During that period, single parents also endure immense pressure and hurt. When we're too exhausted, it's often hard to control our emotions. There were times I blurted out to Lina things like, "Mommy is so tired, please don't do that anymore" or "Don't you see how hard Mommy works?".

But then I realized those words didn't help; instead, they made my child more worried and insecure. I also understood that she was angry and stubborn with me because she felt safe expressing those emotions. At such times, a mother's calm and sincerity can help her child find peace. When my child was able to release her emotional burden, I saw her become more obedient and cheerful. I spend time lying next to Lina, chatting about all sorts of things with her before bedtime. Thanks to this, I understand the pressure she's under and find solutions to help her.

Lan Phuong plays the third party in the film "Gio ngang khoang troi xanh". VFC

With Mia, nearly two years old, I spend a lot of time cuddling, playing, and caring for her, providing a sense of security. The journey of nurturing and protecting my children's emotional well-being is truly challenging, especially while I'm still healing myself. But my children and I have completed about 60% of the journey. Every time I see them laughing and showing affection for each other, I gain strength. When I'm stressed or tired, my assistant often shows me videos of my children on the phone.

Actress Lan Phuong. Courtesy of interviewee

**How do you share childcare responsibilities with your ex-husband?**

The appellate court hearing has not yet taken place, so the initial custody decision from the first-instance court, granting me custody of the two children, is not yet effective. Therefore, all requests regarding visiting the children proceed as per my ex-husband's wishes. I've set a clear rule that he will not come upstairs, as I need a stable private space for myself and the children. Each day, before going to work, he stops by before the children get on the bus. In the evening, after returning from work, he also meets the children in the apartment lobby. On weekends, he takes our eldest daughter, Lina, home. Occasionally, the meeting schedule changes because he doesn't come, the children don't want to go down, or there isn't enough time.

As a single mother, I am fortunate not to face significant financial pressure. Besides acting, I also have income from advertising. Additionally, I operate a restaurant business, which is running quite steadily now.

Lan Phuong, 43 years old, was born in Hanoi and moved to TP HCM with her family during high school. She graduated from University of Foreign Trade Campus 2 and College of Theater and Cinema, TP HCM. The actress is known for films such as "Co gai xau xi" (2008), "Nhung thien than ao trang" (2009), "Nhung dua con biet dong Sai Gon" (2010), "Ca mot doi an oan" (2017), "Nang dau order", and "Thuong ngay nang ve". She has also appeared in feature films like "Scandal" (2012), "Co dau dai chien phan hai" (2013), "Co gai den tu hom qua" (2017), "Thang nam ruc ro" (2018), and "Tet o lang dia nguc" (2023).

Last July, she announced filing for divorce from her British husband, David Duffy, after seven years of marriage. In September 2025, she was granted custody of their two children by a court ruling, but her ex-husband subsequently filed an appeal.

Ha Thu