Get To Know the Young And Cool Men Redefining Contemporary Culture In Vietnam
These four men are leading the charge as the vanguards of Vietnam’s cultural renaissance, where tradition and innovation converge in powerful new forms of expression
The vanguards of cool
VMAN Southeast Asia ventures into the heart of Indochina for The Vietnam New Wave Issue, our first digital cover, featuring four of Vietnam’s coolest and most intriguing men.
Set against the historic Chợ Bến Thành—a century-old bustling market that stands as a living testament to Saigon’s enduring spirit—the cover unites four of the nation’s coolest and most intriguing men: Content creator Huang Long (@hgxlong), actor Cuong Duong (@congduongxx), photographer Thien Minh (@thienminh1990), and music producer WOKEUP (@wokeupat4am.444).
Vietnam has experienced a remarkable resurgence in artistic expression, fueled by a new generation of creators eager to explore and reinterpret their cultural heritage. These four men are leading the charge as the vanguards of Vietnam’s cultural renaissance, where tradition and innovation converge in powerful new forms of expression.
With VMAN SEA’s inaugural digital cover, we capture a cultural rebirth that honors its roots while boldly embracing contemporary identity. This is Vietnam’s New Wave.
Get to know a little more about each cover star via the excerpts below! Check out their full cover stories via the links provided and learn more about why these young and cool men are the next big names to watch out for from Vietnam and Southeast Asia.
Cong Duong: the actor who learned more languages to become a superstar
Cong Duong is an actor, singer, and performer who’s also a self-taught ‘language ninja:’ he’s fluent in Vietnamese, English, Thai, and French. It has worked to his favor, as he’s found success in roles that have required him to speak languages other than Vietnamese. As such, Cong Duong amassed a following not just in Vietnam, but across Southeast Asia.
With his knack for languages and a deep love for the arts, Cong Duong stands out as a young and cool individual who isn’t afraid to express his authentic self. “‘Cool’ is confidence—it’s the way you carry yourself, your creativity, and how you inspire others. It’s about embracing your individuality and living passionately with purpose—and that’s the essence I try to embody every day.”
Read Cong Duong’s full cover story HERE.
Thien Minh: the dashing photographer and creative multi-hyphenate
Thien Minh has had the privilege of representing the best of Vietnamese arts and culture through various pursuits. Photography is his chosen mode of expression—he’s been a pro at the art form for over a decade now, renowned for his black-and-white photography—but he’s also an actor, singer, performer, and all-around creative guy.
With a broad perspective of arts and culture, the 35-year-old thinks of being young and cool in a more nuanced way. “It goes beyond appearances. It’s about confidence, daring to think big, and appreciating local culture. It’s a combination of a modern mindset and a commitment to preserving traditional roots.”
Read Thien Minh’s full cover story HERE.
Huang Long: the content creator redefining men’s beauty
At 23, Huang Long has achieved an enviable level of success that most content creators dream of having. His fashion, makeup, and skincare videos have caught the attention of a modeling agency in New York (where he is now signed). He’s also made it on the official Instagram account of Rihanna’s global beauty empire, Fenty Beauty, where one of his videos has garnered more than a million views.
Huang Long leads the wave in changing perceptions of men’s beauty in Vietnam. “It’s good that the young generation can change and improve the art, fashion, [and beauty] scene in Vietnam. Being open-minded, different, and unique will definitely make you young and cool,” he says.
Read Huang Long’s full cover story HERE.
WOKEUP: the music producer who should be on your playlist
Though relatively new in the Vietnamese rap and hip-hop scene, DJ and music producer WOKEUP has made a name for himself for what audiences call a ‘fresh’ and ‘unique’ take on the genre. Though he was born in Vietnam, he studied for a while in the United States. There, he received an education in classical music and got exposed to Western rap and hip-hop—quite an unconventional combination, but one that has made him stand out in Vietnam.
“I think Vietnam’s youth culture in recent years has seen a lot of changes and foreign influences. A lot of young people like myself have been doing things that the youth of five to ten years ago would not have imagined,” he notes, alluding to his own international background. Now, WOKEUP is just excited to join the pack of young and cool men who are set to redefine the Vietnamese cultural landscape.
Read WOKEUP’s full cover story HERE.
Photography Nhu Khoi
Creative direction Vic Lee
Fashion Freddy Nguyen
VMAN SEA Fashion direction Rex Atienza
Grooming Xi Quan Le
Hair Quan Le
Vietnam Art direction Huy Hoang and Nguyet Duong
VMAN SEA Art direction Mike Miguel
Retouching Dam Thoai My
Video Minh Luan Nguyen
Production Artclass Vietnam
Fashion assistants Dieu Vy, Minh Tuan, and Tuan Anh
Support Thanh Sang and Pham Huy Hoang
Sittings editor Patrick Ty
On location Saigon Central Post Office (cover), Ben Thanh Market (Cong Duong and Thien Minh), and Doan Van Bo Apartment (WOKEUP and Huang Long)
ON THE COVER:
On Huang Long Jacket MAI LAM / Shoes YSL
On Cong Duong All clothing HUDB+ / Scarf MAI LAM
On Thien Minh Jacket HUDB+ / Trousers MAI LAM
On WOKEUP All clothing and accessories MAI LAM
