Hồ Ngọc Hà
Hồ Thị Ngọc Hà, known professionally as Hồ Ngọc Hà, is a Vietnamese singer, model, and actress. She began her singing career in 2004 with her debut album titled 24/7. She has appeared in the films 39 Độ Yêu and Chiến Dịch Trái Tim Bên Phải.
In 2012 she received the Favourite Female Singer Award with 14,216 votes at the HTV Awards.
Early life
Hồ Ngọc Hà was born in An Cựu, Huế City, of Thừa Thiên Huế Province, and later moved to Quảng Bình province with her parents. Her parents worked in the banking sector. When she was 12 years old, she was enrolled as a piano major at the Military University of Culture and Arts in Hanoi.Career
Music
2003–2004: Debut album ''24 Hours 7 Days''
In 2003, after moving to Ho Chi Minh City, she made an appearance as a singer for the first time on the Người Đẹp Hát show. Afterwards, Quoc Bao invited her to take part in a song on his upcoming album. After receiving praise and favorable reviews on Người Đẹp Hát, she decided to pursue singing as a career path.Hồ Ngọc Hà went to Hanoi and met up with musician Huy Tuan to discuss working together on her debut album, and Huy Tuan began working on her album as a producer. The album was named, and was released in 2004 by Viet Tan Studio. The songs on the album were produced and composed by Tuan and numerous songwriters, including Duc Tri, Nguyen Xinh Xo, Hong Kien, Duong Thu, and An Hieu. The titular single attracted fans; however, the album did not garner further attention.
2005: ''Và Em Đã Yêu''
Hồ Ngọc Hà signed a record deal with songwriter Duc Tri's Music Faces Records. They then worked together for her second album following Huy Tuan's advice. Her next album title was Và Em Đã Yêu, released in June 2005 by Music Faces Records and Phuong Nam Films. There were 5 songs on the album composed by Phuong Uyen, Ho Quang Minh, and Duc Tri, and the 5 remaining songs were remixes of songs from her previous album.2006: ''Muốn Nói Với Anh'' and ''Ảo Ảnh''
Before her tour in the US, Hồ Ngọc Hà and other artists together worked on her third album named Muốn Nói Với Anh. The album was released on 15 December 2006 by Music Faces Records and Galaxy Studio in Vietnam and later in the US on 19 December 2016 by Music Faces Records. Huy Tuan and Duc Tri co-wrote the album, while Ho Ngoc Ha wrote the lead single herself and two old songs were added from the last two albums. There were 3 hit songs on this album: "Muốn Nói Với Anh", "Giấc Mơ Chỉ Là Giấc Mơ and "Đời Bỗng Vui".During that time, Ho Ngoc Ha and Duc Tuan released an album named Ảo Ảnh, which was a collection of classic songs from famous musicians such as Y Van, Van Phung, Ngo Thuy Mien, Pham Manh Cuong, Do Le, Trong Khuong and Huynh Anh. The album was released in Vietnam by Music Faces Records and in the US on 9 October 2006 by Music Published and Pops Worldwide.
2007–2009: ''Khi Ta Yêu Nhau'', ''The First Single'' and ''Và Em Đã Yêu'' Tour
In 2007, Hồ Ngọc Hà recorded her next album, Khi Ta Yêu Nhau released by Music Faces Records.However, the album did not perform well commercially.
In 2009, she released the album The First Single after a two-year hiatus. The album was widely regarded to be popular among the masses, and it received positive reviews from the audience. "Xin Hãy Thứ Tha" featuring rapper Suboi, is considered one of her most commercially successful songs. In the same year, Ho Ngoc Ha represented Vietnam at the Asia Song Festival in Korea, performing the English version of "My Apology".
At that time, she became the brand ambassador of Sunsilk Vietnam. Ha took the Và Em Đã Yêu Tour across Vietnam starting in September 2009 and fans could exchange Sunsilk shampoo bottles for tickets to her shows. The tour started on 27 September 2009 in Ho Chi Minh City and concluded on 10 October 2009 in Can Tho, and included performances from guests such as Dam Vinh Hung, Dan Truong, Phan Dinh Tung, Quang Vinh, Pham Anh Khoa, Cao Thai Son, Lam Truong and Nguyen Vu. The Và Em Đã Yêu show was aired live on HTV7 and Sunsilk's official website.
2010–early 2011: Motherhood, New album release
After giving birth, Hồ Ngọc Hà came back with her new album titled Tìm Lại Giấc Mơ in 2010. She recorded the album while pregnant and it was released after she had given birth. This was the first album without Duc Tri's collaboration and also the last album released by Music Faces Records. Duc Tri openly supported her departure and shared his thoughts accordingly, saying, "It's totally normal when she leaves, the most important thing is what remains between those who stay and those who leave". The album was released in Vietnam on 10 July 2011 and in the US on 21 July 2011. The album included songs written by songwriters Nguyen Hong Thuan, Quoc An, Hoang Anh, Duong Khac Linh and Hoang Huy Long. "Thêm Một Lần Vỡ Tan" was composed and written by Ho Ngoc Ha herself. However, the song was compared by audiences to Kylie Minogue's "Red Blooded Woman". In response, she said that two songs were completely different, and that she wasn't responsible for the final production and remix whatsoever.Hồ Ngọc Hà and the V-Music band partnered up for their album Ngày Hạnh Phúc released in August 2010. This was her second duet album and the first song without the production of Duc Tri and Music Faces Records, and her third collaboration with Viet Tan Studio. Nikon also sponsored this album.
2011: ''Invincible''
Until mid 2011, she released two new singles "Sao Ta Lặng Im", written and composed by Nguyen Hong Thuan, and "Nỗi Nhớ Đầy Vơi", featuring Noo Phuoc Thinh. Shortly afterward, the ballad single "Một Lần Cuối Thôi" was released as an opening for her sixth album Invincible – Sẽ Mãi Bên Nhau which was scheduled to be released at the end of 2011.On 15 December 2011, she held a live concert at Lan Anh Club in Ho Chi Minh City, directed by Viet Tu. The event featured 25 songs. The live show was nominated at Devotion Award 2011 in April 2012.
2012: The Voice's Coach and ''The Second Single''
Following multiple commercial successes throughout the years, Hồ Ngọc Hà and the V-Music band released a new project I Love You. I Love You is the collection of 8 songs composed by Nguyen Hong Thuan, Quoc An, Phuc Bo, Phuong Uyen and Kien Tran.In 2012, Vietnam became the second Asian country that obtained the license for the gameshow franchise The Voice, after South Korea. Ha was announced as one of the judges on [Giọng hát Việt|The Voice of Vietnam], alongside other well-known singers in Vietnam, namely Dam Vinh Hung, Thu Minh and Tran Lap. Before taking up the role, Ha had a small operation on her vocal cords.
She was the judge of Centaur Dance Showdown, an international dance competition. She was invited to the show where the Vietnam team competed with other teams from different countries, along with Singaporean hip-hop dancer Sheikh Haikel and famous Japanese break-dancer Katsuyuki Ishikawa.
In September 2012, while being a judge of The Voice Vietnam, she released "Đắn Đo" and "Chôn Giấu Một Tình Yêu". Her song "Runaway" is the English version of the song "Mãi Mãi Về Sau".
"Đắn Đo" was chosen to be the head single. However, it recieved criticism by some fans.
2013: ''Got To Dance'' judge
Hồ Ngọc Hà did a catwalk with supermodel Thanh Hang in a dress inspired by poisonous mushrooms designed by Cong Tri during the 11th Đẹp Fashion Show. She was a judge of Got to Dance along with dancer Alfredo Torres, Vietnamese-American hip hop dancer Dumbo and dance choreographer Tran Ly Ly.On 5 August 2013, at Asian Music Stars Show held by China's CCTV, with the participation of many singers from 10 countries and regions, she performed live two songs "Mãi Mãi Về Sau" and "Hãy Thứ Tha Cho Em".
On 12 August 2013, she released songs "Hãy Thứ Tha Cho Em" and "Giấu Anh Vào Nỗi Nhớ". At the16th Green Waves Award, she won "Single of the Year" Award for Hãy Thứ Tha Cho Em and Top 10 Favorite Singers.
2014: ''X Factor'' and ''Ho Ngoc Ha Live Concert 2014''
On 12 May 2014, she released the album Mối Tình Xưa, which was inspired by classic genres from 10 years ago. The album included 11 songs composed by Duc Tri, Nguyen Hong Thuan, Chau Dang Khoa and Pham Toan Thang. "It could be said that I use these 11 songs to tell a story about my 10 year including career, love and failure", she said.She accepted a deal to be a judge on X Factor
On 20 November 2014, her live concert was held in Gem Center in Saigon. Her 8 hits were linked together to make a 40-minute long musical story with choreography by John Huy Tran, Ngoc Tu, and American choreographer John-Paul "JP" San Pedro. Live Concert 2014 was the capstone of her 10-year singing career.
2016: ''Love Songs''
In May 2016, she held a concert entitled Love Songs in Ho Chi Minh City. Following this, Ha took Love Songs on tour in Vietnam, the United States, Australia, and Europe.Modelling
Early success
Before making a name for herself as a singer, Ho Ngoc Ha actually made her first marks in the entertainment industry as a model. Ha started modelling at the age of 15, and by the age of 16, she won second prize in Hanoi Supermodel competition in 2000, followed by the top prize in Vietnam Supermodel competition the following year. In 2002, Ha won Silver Prize in the Asian Supermodel competition.Coaching and television appearances
Despite her early successes in modelling competitions, Ha shifted towards pursuing music, with modelling taking more of a backseat role in her career. However, Ha remains a respected figure in the fashion industry, evidenced in her appointments as coaches and judges in modelling and fashion competitions on TV.Notably, in 2016, Ha was a coach on the first series of The Face Vietnam, alongside Miss Universe Vietnam 2015 Pham Huong and Miss World Vietnam 2015 Lan Khue. Under Ha's mentorship, the contestant Phí Phương Anh became the first ever winner of The Face franchise in Vietnam. In addition, two other mentees in Ha's team were also successful in the show: Chúng Huyền Thanh finished the season as one of the runners-up, and Lilly Nguyễn received a special prize from the show's sponsor.
In 2018, Ha was a special guest on Series 6 of Asia's Next Top Model, hosted by Thailand's Cindy Bishop, who went on to praise Ha's work ethic.
In 2023, Ha was again appointed as one of the coaches on the inaugural season of The New Mentor, a Vietnamese reality TV competition that sought to train a new generation of models with leadership qualities for the high-end fashion industry. Ha was joined by supermodels Lan Khue and Thanh Hang, as well as pageant queen Huong Giang on the show. Nhu Van, who was Ha's mentee on the show, was finished as a joint runner-up. Despite not winning the show, Nhu Van went on to win a number of national and international pageant competitions, including Miss Global 2025.
Luxury fashion houses
Ha's respected position in the fashion industry is also evident in her collaboration with prominent luxury fashion houses. In 2024, Ha was chosen by the Italian luxury fashion house Bulgari as an ambassador, a "friend of the house". Ha has also worked with Gucci, most recently as an ambassador of its Ancora campaign in Vietnam. Ha has twice attended Milan Fashion Week with Gucci, namely as a guest at its Fall/Winter 2017 and Spring 2025 shows.Acting
In 2001, Hồ Ngọc Hà was chosen by director Luu Trong Ninh to portray a character in the TV drama Hoa Co May, which was aired on the Saturday Cinema Show on VTV3 at the time. Her on-screen debut was portraying Huong, a tough Vietnamese-American girl. At that time, she was studying music as a piano major at the Military Art and Culture College in Vietnam.After releasing two solo albums, Ha returned to acting in 2025, starring in the TV series39 Độ Yêu, a 16-episode TV adaptation of a Vietnamese movie of the same name. However, the series was not well received, with VnExpress describing it as a "clumsy magic show". Later, Ha was cast in the movie titled Chiến Dịch Trái Tim Bên Phải, playing an early career teacher, Ms. Hoai An.
In 2015, after a 10-year hiatus from acting, Ha played a minor role in the musical comedy film, Hy Sinh Đời Trai, one of over 30 Vietnamese celebrities cast in the film. The film was unfortunately a commercial and critical letdown, being pulled from most major cinemas in the country within its first three weeks. In an interview, Lưu Huỳnh, who directed the film, claimed that it was against his and Ha's wishes to use Ha's image to promote the film, alleging that it was the film's producer who made that decision.
Artistic styles
Performance style
In an interview from 2007, she said that after seeing Beyoncé's performance in Bangkok, Thailand, she was inspired and attempted to "learn Beyoncé's performing style".Business ventures
In 2018, Ha co-founded her cosmetic brand M.O.I., which was said to be "the first professional cosmetics brand developed and operated by Vietnamese people". In 2021, M.O.I. launched a skincare line, DA, which stands for Dermatologist Advised. In 2023, M.O.I. was ranked by Euromonitor International in Vietnam's top 10 makeup brands, the only domestic brand on the list.Personal life
Relationship
At the start of Ha's music career, she was romantically linked to songwriter Duc Tri, who produced her first four albums as well as writing many of her hit songs. Despite their breakup, Ha and Duc Tri have continued collaborate in their music careers. Ha has credited Duc Tri to kickstarting her music career, "Without the guidance of musician Duc Tri, there would be no singer Ho Ngoc Ha".Ha was previously married to businessman Nguyen Quoc Cuong, also known as "Dollar Cuong" in Vietnam due to his lavish lifestyle. Ha and Cuong shared a son, Nguyen Quoc Hung, born in 2010.
Following her divorce from Cuong, Ha started dating Swedish-Vietnamese Actor Kim Ly in 2017, after Ly appeared in one of her music videos. In 2020, Ha gave birth to their twin children, Lisa and Leon. Ly proposed to her at the hospital after the birth of their children and they registered their marriage in the same year, despite not organising a wedding to mark the occasion. Ha has said to have prefer private celebrations of anniversary and a small, private wedding over a big wedding with too many guests.
Family
Ha is of partly French ancestry through her father, Ho Si An, who is French-Vietnamese. Ha has a close relationship with her mother, Ngoc Huong, who she has said to help her with raising her three children. Both of Ha's parents were deeply affected by the wars in Vietnam, her father as a veteran and her mother as an orphan after losing her mother to the war at a young age.Philanthropy
Hồ Ngọc Hà donated money to 20 families living in unfortunate conditions in Hoa Hiep Nam Ward.In early 2011, she and other singers participated in the show Tổ Ấm Ngày Xuân by the Citizen Committee of Ho Chi Minh City and the Bureau of Ho Chi Minh City at Tao Đàn Park. At the show, she gave away 200 presents and 400 lucky money envelopes for orphans and children living in unfortunate conditions in Ho Chi Minh City. She was rewarded with an honorary award from the Citizen Committee of Ho Chi Minh City. Later, she and other artists together held the show Ngày Hạnh Phúc.
In 2025, for her 41st birthday, Ha refused presents from her friends and instead asked for donations to those affected by the 2025 Central Vietnam floods, raising a total of 300 million Vietnam Dong.
Filmography
Hoa Cỏ May – Hương39 độ yêu Chiến dịch trái tim bên phải- ''Hi sinh đời trai ''
Television
The Voice – Judge Got To Dance – Judge X Factor – Judge The Remix – Judge Vietnam Super Model – JudgeThe Face Vietnam – Mentor- Asia's Next Top Model – Special guest Your Face Sound Familiar Vietnam – Judge
Discography
Singles
As lead artist
2000s
2010s
2020s
Awards
Major awards
;Dedication Music AwardsDedication Music Awards, is an annual music award presented by ', an entertainment newspaper in Vietnam, to recognize the discoveries and creations contributed to the richness and development of Viet Nam pop music. The award is considered as a "Grammy Award" in Vietnamese music.
| Year | Category | Artist/Nominated work | Result | Note |
| 2006 | Best Album of the Year | Và Em Đã Yêu | Nomitated | |
| 2008 | Best Female Artist of the Year | Hồ Ngọc Hà Ngọc Hồ | Won | |
| 2009 | Best Artist of the Year | Hồ Ngọc Hà Ngọc Hồ | ||
| 2012 | Best Show of the Year | Hồ Ngọc Hà Live Concert 2011 | Won | |
| 2015 | Best Show of the Year | Hồ Ngọc Hà Live Concert 2014 | Nomitated | |
| 2015 | Best Artist of the Year | Hồ Ngọc Hà Ngọc Hồ | Nomitated | |
| 2017 | Best Artist of the Year | Hồ Ngọc Hà Ngọc Hồ | Nomitated | |
| 2017 | Best Album of the Year | Love Songs Collection 3: Gửi Người Yêu Cũ | Nomitated | |
| 2017 | Best Show of the Year | Love Songs | Nomitated | |
| 2018 | Best Show of the Year | Love Songs 2: Cả Một Trời Thương Nhớ | Nomitated | |
| 2018 | Best Artist of the Year | Hồ Ngọc Hà Ngọc Hồ | Nomitated | |
| 2018 | Best Music Video of the Year | "Cả Một Trời Thương Nhớ" | Nomitated | |
| 2022 | Best Music Video of the Year | "Cô Đơn Trên Sofa" | Nomitated | |
| 2022 | Best Female Artist of the Year | Hồ Ngọc Hà Ngọc Hồ | Nomitated |
;Golden Apricot Blossom Awards
| Year | Category | Artist/Nominated work | Result | Note |
| 2005 | Favorite TV Series & Movie Actress | Chiến dịch trái tim bên phải | Nomitated | |
| 2005 | Favorite Female Pop Singer | Nomitated | ||
| 2007 | Favorite Female Pop Singer | "Giấc Mơ Chỉ Là Giấc Mơ" | Nomitated | |
| 2008 | Favorite Female Pop Singer | "Trót Yêu Anh Rồi" | Nomitated | |
| 2009 | Favorite Female Pop Singer | "Xin Hãy Thứ Tha" | Nomitated | |
| 2010 | Song of the Year | "Tìm Lại Giấc Mơ" | Nomitated | |
| 2011 | Favorite Female Pop Singer | "Tìm Lại Giấc Mơ" | Won | |
| 2012 | Favorite Female Pop Singer | "Một Lần Cuối Thôi" | Won | |
| 2013 | Song of the Year | "Hãy Thứ Tha Cho Em" | Nomitated | |
| 2014 | Favorite Female Pop Singer | "Cô Đơn Giữa Cuộc Tình" | Nomitated | |
| 2015 | Favorite Female Pop Singer | "What Is Love?" | Nomitated | |
| 2016 | Favorite Female Pop Singer | "Chạy Theo Lý Trí" | Nomitated | |
| 2017 | Favorite Female Pop Singer | "Cả Một Trời Thương Nhớ" | Nomitated | |
| - | Favorite Female Pop Singer | - | - | - |
;Green Wave Music Awards
Green Wave Music Awards' is one of the oldest and most prestigious annual music awards in the Vietnamese music industry. It was started in 1997 with the governing body being the 99.9 MHz FM radio station of the Voice of the People of Ho Chi Minh City.
| Year | Category | Artist/Nominated work | Result | Note |
| 2005 | New Female Artist of the Year | Hồ Ngọc Hà Ngọc Hồ | Won | |
| 2006 | Top 10 Artists of the Year | Hồ Ngọc Hà Ngọc Hồ | ||
| 2007 | Top 10 Artists of the Year | Hồ Ngọc Hà Ngọc Hồ | ||
| 2008 | Top 10 Artists of the Year | Hồ Ngọc Hà Ngọc Hồ | ||
| 2009 | Top 10 Artists of the Year | Hồ Ngọc Hà Ngọc Hồ | ||
| 2009 | Female Artist of the Year | Hồ Ngọc Hà Ngọc Hồ | Won | |
| 2010 | Album of the Year | Tìm Lại Giấc Mơ | Nomitated | |
| 2010 | Top 10 Artists of the Year | Hồ Ngọc Hà Ngọc Hồ | ||
| 2011 | Top 10 Artists of the Year | Hồ Ngọc Hà Ngọc Hồ | ||
| 2011 | Female Artist of the Year | Hồ Ngọc Hà Ngọc Hồ | Nomitated | |
| 2011 | Album of the Year | Love Songs Collection 2: Vẫn Trong Đợi Chờ | Won | |
| 2012 | Album of the Year | Invincible | Won | |
| 2012 | Female Artist of the Year | Hồ Ngọc Hà Ngọc Hồ | Nomitated | |
| 2012 | Top 10 Artists of the Year | Hồ Ngọc Hà Ngọc Hồ | ||
| 2013 | Top 10 Artists of the Year | Hồ Ngọc Hà Ngọc Hồ | ||
| 2013 | Single of the Year | "Hãy Thứ Tha Cho Em" | Won | |
| 2013 | Single of the Year | "Hãy Mặc Em Đi" | Nomitated | |
| 2014 | Album of the Year | Mối Tình Xưa | Won | |
| 2014 | Top 5 Artists of the Year – Top Gold | Hồ Ngọc Hà Ngọc Hồ | ||
| 2015 | Top 5 Artists of the Year – Top Gold | Hồ Ngọc Hà Ngọc Hồ | ||
| 2015 | Single of the Year | "What Is Love?" | Nomitated | |
| 2016 | Single of the Year | "Gửi Người Yêu Cũ" | Nomitated | |
| 2016 | Music Project of the Year | Love Songs Collection 3: Gửi Người Yêu Cũ | ||
| 2016 | Top 5 Artists of the Year – Top Gold | Hồ Ngọc Hà Ngọc Hồ | ||
| 2017 | Top 5 Artists of the Year – Top Gold | Hồ Ngọc Hà Ngọc Hồ | ||
| 2020 | Music Project of the Year | Love Songs Collection 4: Càng Trưởng Thành, Càng Cô Đơn |
;MTV Europe Music Awards
| Year | Category | Artist/Nominated work | Result | Note |
| 2014 | Best Vietnamese Act | Hồ Ngọc Hà Ngọc Hồ | Won | |
| 2014 | Best Southeast Asian Act | Hồ Ngọc Hà Ngọc Hồ | Nomitated |
;Wechoice Awards
| Year | Category | Nominated work/Recipient | Result | Note |
| 2015 | Inspirational Playlist | "Em Đi Tìm Anh" | Nomitated | |
| 2015 | Inspirational Playlist | "Destiny" | Nomitated | |
| 2016 | TV Show Judge of the Year | The Face Vietnam | Nomitated | |
| 2017 | Favorite Album | Love Songs 2: Cả Một Trời Thương Nhớ'' | Nomitated | |
| 2017 | Favorite Music Video | "Cả Một Trời Thương Nhớ" | Nomitated | |
| 2023 | Artist with Notable Activities | Hồ Ngọc Hà Ngọc Hồ | Nomitated |
Other awards
| Years | Awards |
| 2000 |
|
| 2001 | |
| 2002 | |
| 2003 | |
| 2007 | |
| 2008 | |
| 2009 | |
| 2010 | |
| 2011 | |
| 2012 | |
| 2013 | |
| 2014 | |
| 2015 | |
| 2016 |