Cao Ngan is known to the audience as the runner-up of VietNam's Next Top Model 2014. In 2017, the female model continued to cause a stir when she appeared on the VietNam's Next Top Model program with an alarmingly skinny body.
After a long time of trying to cure her illness, Cao Ngan is currently pursuing her passion for fashion while starting a business by selling salt and chili tea on the sidewalk.
"At first, many viewers came to my tea cart out of curiosity."
- Cao Ngan just started a business with a salt and chili tea cart to earn money to cover living expenses and pursue her dream. Where did you get this idea?
I studied business administration so I have a passion for business. However, because I don't have a strong financial potential, I chose a small business model of a salt and chili tea cart.
This business helps me create more work and income for my family members and is also an opportunity for me to meet my beloved audience.
Besides modeling, Cao Ngan also started a business selling salt and chili tea on the sidewalk.
- As a famous model who has won certain achievements in the profession, but started a business with a salt and chili tea cart, how did your relatives, friends and audience react to your business decision?
I think it is very normal to have a side business besides your main job. Many of my colleagues also choose to do business in some field to ensure their finances because modeling is not always too busy.
My relatives are very supportive and ready to help me when I intend to do business.
- From a salt and chili tea cart in Kien Giang to a sidewalk restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City must have been a journey with many interesting things. Can you share more about this journey?
I started with a salt and chili tea cart in my hometown because the COVID-19 pandemic had just ended and the fashion industry was not yet bustling. I went to bartending school and learned more recipes to create a special salt and chili tea called “Ngan Do”. Luckily, customers all praised the drink for its deliciousness and were willing to come back to support me.
After that, I joined The New Mentor, the filming of the show lasted for several months so I couldn't continue to manage the salt and chili tea cart in my hometown.
When the competition ended, everyone advised me to open a new branch in Ho Chi Minh City, so I decided to find a location and open a shop. Even though it was just a sidewalk business, I received a lot of support from many people. That gave me a lot of motivation to continue trying to perfect my business model.
Cao Ngan admitted that at first, many viewers came to her salt and chili tea cart because they were curious about "a model selling tea on the sidewalk".
- How does the title of model and runner-up help your business?
Being known also gives me many advantages. At first, most customers came to support me or were curious to see how the model selling tea on the sidewalk was doing. But then, people rated the drinks as quite delicious, so they all came back.
- As a model – who is associated with a glamorous image on stage, you opened a sidewalk tea shop. Are you afraid that this will affect your work?
Actually, my image has always been very simple, somewhat “rustic”, so I never thought I would lose my image. On stage, I can transform into different concepts, but in real life, I am just an ordinary girl.
Selling tea on the sidewalk is also honest work so I'm not worried it will affect my modeling job.
Cao Ngan
Selling tea on the sidewalk is also honest work so I don't have to worry about it affecting my modeling job.
- Many artists always want to be associated with a proud, splendid image. Why did Cao Ngan choose a different direction for herself?
I think that only when you are yourself can you be most comfortable. People love you for who you are, not for your pretentiousness or splendor.
I don't know how to act to make myself look more "posh" so I just be myself.
"I also don't know how to act to make myself look more "classy", Cao Ngan shared.
- While working as a model and developing your business, have you ever felt overwhelmed?
Actually, the feeling of “being exhausted” is because my health is not good. For example, with the same amount of work, others may find it normal, but for me it is a bit “exhausting”.
I have to take herbal medicine while working to continue treating my lung disease. However, I think that everyone's life has many challenges and we have to be strong to overcome them.
"I forgot the feeling of sadness and depression when being body shamed"
- When mentioning Cao Ngan, many people still think of your image in the program Vietnam's Next Top Model 2017, what do you think about this?
I feel happy because after a long time people still remember me in VNNTM 2017. Many times when I performed far away, the audience recognized me and called my name, which made me very emotional.
Honestly, at that time, receiving negative reactions about my body also made me very sad. But later everything changed when people understood and loved me more.
Controversial image of Cao Ngan in 2017.
- How did Cao Ngan overcome the difficult period of both treating her illness and facing controversy related to her body in 2017?
Looking back at that period, I found it a bit “difficult”. I was so passionate about the catwalk that I disregarded my health to participate in the program Vietnam's Next Top Model. And after going through it all, I realized that I have nothing to regret.
To this day, I can no longer remember how sad or depressed I felt because of the “body shaming” words at that time. I only remember that after that, I had to try very hard to improve my health and appearance. Sometimes the audience’s reaction was the motivation for me to be stronger.
- How is your health now?
My health is currently stable. The lung disease cannot be cured completely so I still have to maintain treatment. I am healthy enough to continue modeling and running a salt and pepper tea cart.
Currently, Cao Ngan is still receiving treatment for lung disease.
- When mentioning Cao Ngan, many audiences are impressed by her humor and efforts towards her modeling career. What was the most difficult stage in your journey to pursue your dream?
Each stage has its own difficulties and challenges, but after overcoming them, I find myself more mature and stronger. I usually don't think too much about the difficulties I have to go through because it makes me lose my "mood". Always be optimistic and move forward no matter what happens, that's how I face everything.
- Is the modeling profession as glamorous and wealthy as the image audiences often see in the media?
I think every profession has people who have achieved great success. Many senior models have affirmed their names and positions, so they will receive worthy results.
- What is it about this profession that has made you pursue it diligently and dedicate yourself to it over the years?
I think passion is what keeps me in modeling for so long. Every time I stand on the catwalk, I feel like I'm living life to the fullest.
Thank you for sharing this.
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