Vietnam is not immune to the gossip-bug and star celebrities are watched every moment, with the prying eyes of the tabloids and the blogosphere always open.

But several celebrity combos have worked hard to shed the image of fleeting and fickle Hollywood romance that follows wherever they go. They’re determined to prove that they can be good husbands and wives, good parents, and raise healthy families, despite the best efforts of the media to prove otherwise.

‘Love story’

The wedding of singer Quang Dung and Vietnamese-American Jennifer Pham, Miss Asia USA 2006, was a sensational scoop in 2007.

Rumors they had been dating began circulating when they costarred in the movie Nhung chiec la thoi gian (Leaves of time), but both denied any romance. But just a few months later, they announced their engagement and held lavish wedding ceremonies in both Vietnam and the US in the end of 2007.

The couple made headlines again in the beginning of 2008 when their first son, An Nam, was born. An Nam’s birth sparked a flurry of gossip, with rumor mongers and media hounds claiming that Dung was not the father. Critics said the marriage was forced or a publicity stunt.

But Pham and Dung are still together and waxing poetic about each other in the media.

Pham recently told Thanh Nien that she liked Dung’s gentleness, tact and sensitivity.

“I feel so happy with my family and son. Getting married and giving birth has given me two important duties: being a wife and a mother.”

Pham said it was overcoming challenges together that had proved her and her husband’s love was true.

On the lucky day August 8, 2008 (8 is a lucky number in Vietnamese philosophy), Dung performed a live concert he called “Love story” as a gift for his wife.

Sworn to secrecy

One of Vietnam’s hottest couples met each other on the set of the 2007 blockbuster Dong mau anh hung (The Rebel). Vietnamese-American stuntman-turned-leading man Johnny Tri Nguyen and model-turned-actress Ngo Thanh Van set the screen on fire with sizzling action sequences and steamy romance.

Rumors began to fly immediately as the starts made no bones about being seen in public together. The cameras followed wherever they went, but they refused to comment on their relationship.

However, the media got whatever confirmation they needed when TV host Vu Lynn Cathy, Nguyen’s ex-wife, said their relationship had been ruined by a “third party.”

This press easily branded the story as the Vietnamese version of the Hollywood love triangle between Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston. Reporters were soon writing that Nguyen had left Vu and his two daughters for Van.

Both Nguyen and Van have neither confirmed nor denied the hearsay, but they’ve traveled extensively abroad together and are said to live together. Public displays of affection and a sexy magazine spread featuring the duo in Thailand’s OK Magazine have only added fuel to the fire.

The couple’s new action film Bay rong (Clash), has just wrapped and will premier for Tet (Lunar New Year) 2010. Media reports say the picture features several controversial sex scenes between the two stars.

Not tied down

Actress Kim Thu and impresario Phuoc Sang have long shrugged off rumors that their relationship was on the rocks because they never married though they have two kids.

Some reports have said that the tension between two cultures was pulling them apart as Sang had a series of medical problems, including a stroke caused by high blood pressure.

But the couple said the truth was just the opposite.

Though their two kids have not brought them to wedlock, Thu, ironically or not the star of comedy blockbusters such as De muon (Pregnant by proxy) and Khi dan ong co bau (When men get pregnant), said she and Sang were happier than ever as parents.

Sang has said that it was the love of his wife and kids, named Dollar and Euro, that helped him overcome his stroke and get back to his life and work.

“We find our own way to share our lives rather than being ‘tied’ to the social conventions of a marriage,” Thu told Sai Gon Giai Phong (Saigon Liberation) newspaper. “A wedding is just a formality. The important thing is that we feel bliss and believe in and respect each other.”

Compiled by Kim