Meet illustrator, comic and storyboard artist from Vietnam, My Anh Nguyen.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m My Anh, often goes with the nickname “Buta”. I was born and raised in Hanoi, north of Vietnam. I’m currently working as an illustrator/ comic/ storyboard artist. Sometimes I think of working as a barista or running a small bistro.

Describe the city you’re living in and what it’s like to live there.

Hanoi is a pretty chill city. It’s home to me, a safe haven. 

Hanoi is a pretty chill city. It’s home to me, a safe haven. 

Give us 3 words that describe what it’s like to be a creative in your city.

Challenging, flexible, and chill. At least that’s how I feel. 

How did you start your career in art?

I’ve never thought of doing any other stuff. Making arts, especially comics or any form of story-telling was the only thing in my mind since I was little. 

I’ve never thought of doing any other stuff. Making arts, especially comics or any form of story-telling was the only thing in my mind since I was little. 

Were the people around you supportive of your decision on working as a creative?

My parents were supportive, fortunately. I appreciate that because I know it’s a hard choice for them to let me be. They’re the traditional Vietnamese parents and have a strong bias on women, on artists in particular. So being a woman plus being an artist is a no-no for them. They were against it at first.

My older sister committed suicide when I was 14. She was pretty much a role model that my mother wanted me to be. A bright girl opened up to everybody, did well in school. But after that tragic incident, lots of things changed. My parents don’t want me to end up like her so they would not want to put any pressure on me, and want to be as supportive as they could even though it could break their heart with my way of living, my career choice.  

Therefore, I appreciate everything they’ve done for me. Thank you, mom and dad.

What are some goals and ambitions you have for your future work?

Recently I was hooked up with animations and wish to throw myself into that field deeper as a storyboard artist, writer, possibly director. Also, I want to make more personal comics, graphic novels.

Recently I was hooked up with animations and wish to throw myself into that field deeper as a storyboard artist, writer, possibly director. Also, I want to make more personal comics, graphic novels.

If you could collaborate with any person in the world who would it be?

Most of the time, I’ve collaborated with other people in making their comics, now I want to make something for my own. So I think there’s no one on my wishlist at the moment. But, I would love to collaborate with a team to do something bigger like animation, or a movie. If I could work in some big studio like Pixar, Dreamworks, Sony, it would be great.

How would you describe the women around you?

They are beautiful, strong and caring. 

They are beautiful, strong and caring. 

Were there any local female creatives that you looked up to when you were growing up?

There were none. I think there were just not that many to know of around. 

Are there any challenging aspects of being a female in your industry?

I think it’s mostly the bias that you as a woman think the society is putting on you, all the stuff about getting married, having kids, sacrificing your career, etc. Once getting over it, I think there’s none. I think the same goes for any other field.

Embrace yourself and work hard. 

Do you have any advice to young women who are aspiring to work in your field?

Embrace yourself and work hard. 

Photos courtesy of My Anh Nguyen.