Many international audiences recognize Lana Condor through Netflix’s hit romantic comedy series To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, but not everyone knows that the actress was born in Vietnam. Born Trần Đồng Lan in Cần Thơ, Lana was adopted by an American family at a young age and later grew up in Chicago. Despite building her career in Hollywood, she has continued to speak openly and proudly about her Vietnamese heritage throughout the years.

Cre: lanacondor

From an early age, Lana developed an interest in performing arts, particularly dance and acting. She trained professionally in ballet before eventually transitioning into film and television. Her first major Hollywood role came in 2016 when she appeared as Jubilee in X-Men: Apocalypse, introducing her to global audiences through one of the world’s biggest superhero franchises. Although the role was relatively small, it marked an important starting point in her acting career and opened the door to larger opportunities within the entertainment industry.

The biggest turning point came in 2018 with Netflix’s To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, where Lana starred as Lara Jean Covey, a shy high school student whose private love letters unexpectedly get sent out to her crushes. The film quickly became one of Netflix’s most successful teen romantic comedies and helped spark a new wave of popularity for the rom-com genre on streaming platforms. Lana’s warm and relatable performance earned widespread praise from audiences and critics alike, turning her into one of the platform’s breakout stars almost overnight.

Cre: Netflix

Following the success of the trilogy, Lana continued expanding her career across multiple genres and formats. In addition to live-action projects, she also voiced the lead character in the animated film Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken in 2023. Over the years, her growing influence in entertainment and media led to her inclusion in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2021, recognizing her impact as one of the rising young figures in Hollywood.

Beyond acting, Lana Condor has consistently used her platform to discuss identity, adoption, and cultural belonging. In interviews, she has openly reflected on her journey as a Vietnamese adoptee growing up in America, while also expressing a strong desire to reconnect with her roots. In 2018, she established a scholarship fund supporting Vietnamese girls, demonstrating her commitment to giving back to the country where she was born.

After visiting Vietnam in 2022, Lana also shared her excitement and emotional attachment to the country across social media and interviews, further strengthening the connection many Vietnamese audiences feel toward her. Today, Lana Condor represents more than just a successful Hollywood actress - she also stands as one of the most recognizable Vietnamese-born figures currently working in global entertainment.

Cre: Báo Lao Động

“We’re so lucky to have this job. But I’m nothing if it’s not from where I came from. It’s like I have to pay that back and pay that forward.” Her statement resonated strongly with many fans, especially within Asian and Vietnamese communities, as it reflected both gratitude and a continuing connection to her cultural origins.