Henrii Nguyen on Dance, Identity, and Creative Freedom

A life between cultures

Henrii Nguyen is a Vietnamese artist whose work spans dance, performance, and fashion. He is building a career shaped by his multicultural upbringing and a growing desire to bring his work to wider audiences, both at home and abroad.

Though he did not grow up in Vietnam, the country has played a formative role in his life. Summers and holidays spent moving between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City left lasting impressions that continue to inform his sense of identity.

“What shaped me the most is the cuisine,” he says. “Growing up in Russia, my mom cooked every day with different menus and a wide variety of meals. That experience made me fall even more in love with Vietnam, especially Northern-style family meals, visiting Hanoi, and sharing food with the people I love.”

For Henrii, these moments around the table shaped his understanding of family and community, values he now carries into his work as an artist.

Language as identity

Language has also been central to his creative development. Fluent in Vietnamese, English, and Russian, Henrii says each language brings out a different side of his personality.

He likens the process to cooking, where no single ingredient dominates. Instead, balance gives a dish its character. The same principle, he says, applies to his art.

The pull of the stage

Dance remains at the core of his creative life. He speaks most vividly when describing the feeling of being on stage, standing under the spotlight as the audience watches.

“That moment is priceless,” he says. “It is not only about dance, but about art in general.” Performance, for him, is the exchange of energy between artist and audience.

While Henrii has explored modeling and other creative avenues, he does not see these pursuits as separate or competing. “Art is art,” he says.

Style, discipline, and self-belief

That openness extends to his personal style. Henrii enjoys fashion and describes himself, with self-awareness, as a shopaholic. He gravitates toward color and experimentation, using clothing as another way to express his evolving identity as a performer.

Still, he emphasizes that appearance alone does not define an artist. “Believe in yourself. Be yourself. Do not be dramatic. Just be a good person,” he says. “Having a good soul helps you go far in your career.”

Vietnam continues to serve as both inspiration and grounding force. In Ho Chi Minh City, he finds motivation in the city’s pace and resilience.

That momentum mirrors his approach to discipline, which balances physical training with everyday pleasures. “Vietnamese food is tasty, healthy, and makes me happy,” he says. “Living here, I do not worry too much about food choices. For me, food is the key. A total win-win.”

Connection beyond words

Being multilingual, Henrii says, has also deepened his ability to connect with audiences. While language opens doors to different cultures, he believes emotional connection goes beyond words.

“Sometimes you do not need language at all,” he says. “Eye contact and gestures are enough.” Still, learning different languages has helped him understand cultural norms and sensitivities, allowing him to communicate more thoughtfully and share what he describes as positive energy.

The Vietnamese artist is also focused on growth and visibility. He hopes to perform more frequently and on larger stages, reaching audiences beyond those who already follow his work.

“I would love to perform more on stage in front of a lot of people,” he says. “Fingers crossed. Hopefully one day you will be there to see me perform.”

For Henrii, the future is less about narrowing his focus than expanding his reach. His work continues to evolve at the intersection of movement and personal expression, shaped by a belief that art is most powerful when it remains open, generous, and deeply human.

As seen in the pages of VMAN SEA 05: now available for purchase!

Chief of Editorial Content Patrick Ty

Photography Trần Hoàng Vũ

Fashion Freddy Nguyen