VietNamNet Bridge - They are overseas Vietnamese women who are well-known to the world by their outstanding talent.

"American Master Chef" Christine Ha

Christine Ha was born in 1979 and she now lives in Texas, USA. Her parents are Vietnamese. Her real name is Ha Huyen Tran.

Christine caught a rare disease that took away her vision and finally, she was completely blind in 2007. Having a degree in finance and information management from the University of Texas but Christine could not go to work because of vision problems.

Having great passion for cooking, she set up a website to post her recipes. Christine Ha’s site quickly became popular in the community who love cooking in America.

Christine Ha participated in the US Master Chef 2012 and passed over all other contestants to win the championship.

So far, she is still the only blind contestant in this contest. Christine Ha's energy during the competition made television viewers around the world touched.

Makeup artist Michelle Phan

Michelle Phan was born in 1987. She now lives in Florida, USA. She is a worldwide famous Vietnamese-American makeup artist. Michelle Phan’s the way to build her name is simple: she made video clips instructing makeup and beauty tips then posted them on YouTube.

The video clips by Michelle Phan have millions of views. Although she is not a celebrity, the reputation that Michelle Phan gains from YouTube has helped her become the representative face of many popular cosmetics brands.

She has launched her own cosmetics brand EM Michelle Phan - a bold Vietnamese name with so cute personal pronouns "EM" (I). Michelle Phan received the award “New Star” of the Womens Wear Daily Journal and entered the top faces under the age of 30 by Marie Claire magazine.

Fashion designer Nini Nguyen

Nini Nguyen was born in Vietnam and lived here for six years. Later, she went to America with her parents. Initial startup of Nini Nguyen was not easy. Having great passion for fashion but not being very good at English, Nini was refused by many fashion firms.

She had to start working as a cleaner and later as clerk of fashion shops. The biggest turning point in the career of Nini was when she decided to become a fashion designer.

Nini Nguyen’s clients include celebrities--the most notably is singer Rihanna. Nini Nguyen is now the major designer for the impressive fashion style of the Barbados singer.

Photographer Le My An

Vietnamese American photographer Le My An received the MacArthur Fellowship - the "Genius" award of America. This is a prestigious award to honor individuals who have outstanding creative activities, to recognize the dedication and impressive achievements of the individual to the community.

Le My An is known as a photographer specialized of the subject of war. Going to the United States in 1975, the works by this 53 -year-old woman are primarily inspired by the war since she had the experience of it.

A familiar topic in An’s works is the relationship between Vietnamese who settled in America and nostalgia. An has returned to Vietnam many times to take photos.

Writer Lai Thanh Ha

Thanh Ha was born in 1965 in Vietnam and resettled in the U.S. since 1975. Graduated from the University of Texas, major in journalism; Lai Thanh Ha began her career as a reporter for The Register newspaper, specializing in the information of the Vietnamese community in Orange County, California.

Thanks to this job that Ha’s English writing skills rapidly progressed. After nearly two years as a reporter, Ha decided to leave the newspaper and started focusing on writing.

Her first book was a work for children called "Inside Out & Back Again" in 2011. The book won the National Book Award – a prestigious and old annual award to honor outstanding literary works of American authors.

Mai Lan