The 27-year-old Hanoi resident gave birth to her first child in 9/2023. However, she underwent surgery for uterine fibroids and a hand tumor simultaneously. A weakened body, covered in scars, acute nephritis, and the pressure of childcare led to a mental breakdown. She developed symptoms of depression, experiencing sleepless nights filled with tears. She became self-conscious, withdrawn, and consumed by anxiety and negativity. At her lowest point, she contemplated an overdose of sleeping pills, but her husband intervened.

"During that desperate time, my husband's words, 'Do you want to try learning to dive like a mermaid at the aquarium?', pulled me out of the darkness and gave me a second chance at life," she shared.

27-year-old Ngoc Anh performing as a mermaid at an aquarium in Hanoi, 2025. Photo: Provided by the subject.

Ngoc Anh explained that since childhood, she had loved swimming and dreamt of becoming a mermaid like in fairy tales. Her husband's suggestion rekindled her spirit when she had lost her purpose in life. Not only did he support her, but he also bought her a mermaid tail, fins, costumes, and accessories for diving. In the beginning, swimming brought her peace of mind, reducing negative thoughts as she focused on her breathing and learned to slow down underwater.

"Instead of isolating myself in my room, I swam 3-4 hours daily as a way to rest my body. Wearing colorful costumes, putting on beautiful makeup, and diving underwater brought joy back into my life," she said.

What started as a therapeutic hobby evolved into a serious pursuit. Anh wanted to become a professional mermaid, interacting with marine life.

In 4/2024, she auditioned for a major aquarium in Hanoi but was rejected due to insufficient skills and was mocked for her appearance as a "fat mermaid." She realized the profession demanded not only beauty but also physical strength, technique, safety consciousness, and high endurance.

Undeterred, she enrolled in professional diving classes. During her training, she often bumped into the pool floor, collided with others, got her tail caught on props, and struggled to express facial emotions underwater. The most challenging aspect was breath-holding; she often ran out of breath after only 20 seconds, while the requirement was 1-2 minutes. Alongside technique, she also needed to improve her physical fitness. She adopted a strict diet, limiting high-calorie foods and drinks. Additionally, she started going to the gym to lose 10 kg and maintain a toned physique for better underwater performance.

"Focusing on my training helped alleviate my depression," she stated.

After a year of persistent training, in 4/2025, she secured a contract at a 3-meter-deep aquarium. During her first official performance, in front of thousands of spectators, she felt both nervous and elated. She swam in the miniature "ocean," playing with jellyfish and sharks, interacting with the audience through games like rock-paper-scissors, and creating heart-shaped bubbles with her hands.

"At that moment, I realized I had truly come back to life. I was happy to make people cheer, and my husband and child were proud of me," she said.

Anh's husband, 29-year-old Tuan Trung, was surprised that mermaid diving helped his wife overcome her depression. After giving birth, she hadn't smiled for eight months. She was constantly worried, suspicious, overthinking everything negatively, and having dark thoughts. He tried various approaches, like horseback riding lessons, recreational sports, and frequent conversations, but nothing worked. She was even reluctant to communicate with him.

"When I mentioned swimming and mermaid diving, I saw a positive shift in her emotions. She became more cheerful and excited, and thankfully, it helped her find relief," Trung said.

He researched professional diving courses for her. Regular diving stimulates the body to produce endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine – mood-boosting hormones. Moreover, performing and interacting with the audience and marine life fosters social connection, increases engagement, and reduces stress.

"During her pregnancy, there were times when doctors asked us to choose between her life and the baby's due to the risks involved. The difficult childbirth journey likely had a significant impact on her mental health," Tuan Trung explained.

Earlier this year, Ngoc Anh's social media videos about her journey of overcoming depression through mermaid diving unexpectedly garnered tens of millions of views. Besides expressing amusement and curiosity, many people admired and respected her skillful performances and acknowledged the dangers of her profession.

The 27-year-old "mermaid" now performs about 20 thirty-minute shows each month. While the pay ranges from a few hundred thousand to a few million dong per show, she considers it a side job that fulfills her passion and provides emotional release. Her primary occupation remains teaching children with disabilities in Hanoi.

"Now I not only live but live two lives: a normal life as a teacher and a fairy-tale life as a mermaid. I feel valued and appreciate life more," Ngoc Anh shared.

Nga Thanh