Hien DangReturning to NEXT Awards 2025 as both Host and Advisor, Liêu Hà Trinh views this not merely as an engagement with an awards platform, but as a journey to sow “the seeds of influence” where values are nurtured through perseverance, responsibility and courage.
Original Vietnamese version available here: Đọc bài viết tiếng Việt
This year, she once again holds the mic and contributes behind the scenes as an advisor for categories related to community, art, and content creation. After years of working alongside influential brands, artists, and social projects, she continues her partnership with NEXT Awards out of a conviction that true influence is not measured by media exposure, but by the ability to spark meaningful change in collective awareness and action.
In conversation with Nữ Doanh Nhân – BusinessWoman Magazine, Liêu Hà Trinh reflects on the art of cultivating influence through one’s lifestyle, introduces her “6C filter” for identifying authentic impact, and reveals why she chooses a single word to define the new generation of influencers: “Bravery”.
You served as both host and advisor last season and now you’ve returned once more. What drew you back to NEXT Awards?
I’m returning not only as the person holding the microphone, but also as a storyteller and content advisor. Having worked across various award programmes, brands, artists, and impactful initiatives, I wish to contribute an authentic voice grounded in experience. I want to help the organisers identify the right “seeds”, individuals with both substance and potential, to embody the NEXT spirit and nurture the next generation. NEXT Awards offers me a platform to amplify positive values in a structured and sustainable way.
As someone deeply immersed in communication, storytelling and inspiration, how do you perceive the role of “influencers” in today’s digital era?
To me, an influencer is not merely a connector who drives digital transformation for businesses or inspires behavioural change in individuals or small groups. Influence has the power to shape the mindset of an entire generation, from advocating sustainability, upholding ethics, to honouring cultural heritage. When that happens, influence is no longer defined by views or likes, but by the tangible shifts in thinking and behaviour that ripple through communities.
Was there a particular moment in your career that made you realise the true power of influence? Could you share a memorable story?
I’ve realised that true power rarely stems from one person alone, it comes from collective harmony when many voices unite. When celebrities, businesses, communities, and artists breathe in sync, influence becomes cohesive, lasting, and profoundly strong.
I was deeply moved when witnessing our nation’s collective pride during the 80th National Day celebration. The way people across Vietnam turned their hearts towards the capital reminded me that when influence is wielded at the right time, in the right way, and in unity, it becomes a spiritual current that reaches every heart — reigniting a nation’s faith in itself.
On a more personal level, through my social work, I’ve seen that when truly dedicated influencers invest their intellect and emotions into causes — supporting women, children, or marginalised groups — the reach and impact can multiply exponentially. In commercial contexts too, KOLs and brands strive for meaningful collaborations that deliver accurate information, promote truth, goodness and beauty, and ultimately improve lives.
As a public figure, what pressures have you faced? How do you maintain your personal integrity amidst the noise of media and public opinion?
My greatest pressure isn’t defending my words, but taking responsibility for the negative impact they might unintentionally cause. Every thought, statement or action from a public figure carries consequences. Not every opinion deserves to be heard if it fails to reflect the full truth.
Each message should be examined from multiple perspectives, ensuring that ego doesn’t overshadow fairness. In today’s media whirlwind, only a solid core of values can protect us from temptations — money, contracts, or content compromises that betray one’s beliefs.
I’ve learned to say no to campaigns that don’t align with my principles, in order to preserve the “straight line” of ethics and respect for my audience.
In an era where anyone can rise to fame overnight, how do we distinguish between temporary visibility and profound influence?
Time and audiences are the fairest filters, but I often apply a personal framework — the 6Cs:
- Consistency – Messages, behaviour and projects must align over time, not change colour with trends.
- Credibility – Facts, data, and accountability matter; and one must be ready to correct mistakes.
- Contribution – Impact should extend beyond personal gain, adding knowledge, professional standards, or community support.
- Community – Not a passive fanbase, but an ecosystem that learns, acts, and grows together.
- Continuity – Initiatives with legacy, long-term goals, and sustainable planning — not one-time sparks.
- Conversion to Change – Transforming “pretty” metrics like views or likes into “living” ones such as behavioural shifts, funds raised, or policy improvements.
Superficial fame relies on buzz and fades with scandal or trends. Deep, lasting influence relies on trust: the more crises it endures, the stronger it becomes. At NEXT Awards, we encourage candidates to demonstrate depth indicators — sustained impact, scalability, and legacy — instead of short-lived media performance.
Does greater fame automatically translate to greater influence? Or can quiet influence be more powerful?
I believe fame accelerates exposure, but doesn’t guarantee lasting impact. Some values are cultivated only through quiet persistence. I’ve met artists who devote their lives to painting, music, or community exhibitions with no intention of going viral — yet their work radiates authenticity that moves hearts.
That reminds me: sometimes, silence penetrates deeper and lasts longer than any spotlight.
How do you differentiate between “trendsetters” and “value creators”? Which do you believe our new generation needs more?
Trendsetters trigger visible waves; value creators quietly build foundations for generations. In today’s world, however, creating value without learning to share it is also a weakness.
If your impact doesn’t reach others, it remains confined. That’s why influencers must master both — creating genuine value and sharing it widely so others can learn and grow.
I deeply appreciate young artists like Phương Mỹ Chi, who seamlessly infuse national pride and cultural heritage into modern music. She’s a prime example of balancing value creation with trend expression, inspiring youth while preserving cultural roots.
What do you think young people are doing well, and where do they still fall short in their journey to becoming true influencers?
Today’s youth are quick, tech-savvy and endlessly creative. Yet I see a paradox — many aspire to be meaningful content creators, yet settle for “fast laughs” and shallow trends that lack coherence or purpose.
True influence lies not in mirroring fleeting pleasures, but in confronting the pain points of society and proposing real solutions. Influence isn’t about numbers on a dashboard — it’s about action that shapes mindsets and lifestyles for the better. For 2026, I believe two words matter most: “Lifestyle transformation”. Changing one’s lifestyle means changing the planet.
Lasting influence doesn’t come from viral moments, but from the rhythm of daily living — how we speak, treat others, respond to challenges. The crowd might remember a viral clip, but they will follow someone whose lifestyle remains consistently inspiring.
That’s the distinction between a trendsetter and a value creator. The first alters appearances; the second transforms from within.
So, if you wish to be truly influential, start by shaping your daily habits. Lifestyle, to me, is an unspoken language — it whispers, “I live this way; perhaps you could too”. Especially in these turbulent times, changing our way of living is how we can, in fact, change the world.
Can influence be taught, or is it innate? What role does NEXT Awards play in this journey?
As a communicator who observes many entrepreneurs, I believe influence is a blend of personal strength and disciplined cultivation. Everyone holds unique capital — stories, energies, experiences. But if left unsharpened, that power fades quickly.
What I hope for in the younger generation is the ability to turn influence into measurable, replicable action: not just sharing beautiful messages, but launching real community projects; not just speaking of sustainability, but practising it daily; not just discussing mental health, but creating safe spaces through podcasts or workshops.
NEXT Awards serves as a disciplined launchpad — where candidates are recognised not merely for achievements, but for sustainability, accountability, and tangible social impact. When influence is tied to responsibility — and responsibility turns into action — that’s when one evolves from being “famous” to being a thought leader.
Influence, then, is the harmony of two forces: inner potential and purposeful learning. Every individual possesses a unique, unrepeatable voice — yet without refinement, that voice may fade.
I care deeply for the younger generation — full of vitality, yet vulnerable to missteps that lead to long-term consequences. That’s why I pour my heart into projects like my healing podcast “Chị À” — not only to comfort, but to awaken self-reflection, resilience, and inner growth. This, too, reflects NEXT Awards’ essence: recognising and nurturing those who dare to grow through challenge and transform hardship into wisdom.
What kind of legacy do you hope to leave behind through your work?
I don’t aspire to fame, but to a spiritual legacy — to inspire life and awaken dormant values. I hope future generations realise that beauty doesn’t have to be confined within tradition; it can be reborn through contemporary creativity. If that’s called a “legacy,” I wish it to be the courage to reinvent timeless values, fuelling communities to keep creating, sharing, and evolving.
That’s also the purpose behind my healing podcast series “Ly Vỡ” and “Chị À”. They’re not just artistic projects, but journeys of reflection and renewal — reminding listeners that healing begins with understanding, and growth begins with empathy. If I could leave behind one thing, it would be this belief: that everyone can turn their story into something worth remembering — a story that uplifts others long after we’re gone.
If you could choose one word to describe the generation of influencers you hope will emerge from NEXT Awards 2025, what would it be and why?
I choose “Brave”. In a world ruled by algorithms and viral trends, courage is the most essential virtue. Courage to try something new. Courage to uphold goodness even when it’s unpopular. Courage to tell one’s truth instead of following safe scripts. And courage to go against the current, believing that what you’re doing matters in the long run.
That’s also the spirit behind my show “Ly Vỡ.” Only by facing pain, fragility, and imperfection can we find true healing. We don’t avoid life’s broken pieces; we gather and honour them, weaving them into stories that remind others they are not alone. I hope the next generation of influencers will do the same, turning personal struggles into shared light, transforming vulnerability into connection.
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In Liêu Hà Trinh, influence doesn’t roar — it resonates quietly through discipline, kindness, and consistency. In an age where fame can arrive overnight, she chooses the long path, where “lifestyle” defines worth, and “bravery” illuminates the way forward.
At NEXT Awards 2025, she returns not only as a storyteller, but as a cultivator of the next generation — those who dare to live authentically, take responsibility, and pursue goodness with unwavering heart.
Because, ultimately, influence is not just power, it’s a commitment. A commitment to live, to create, and to contribute meaningfully.
If you carry within you a story that inspires, a project that uplifts, or simply a way of living that radiates value, NEXT Awards 2025 is where your journey will be seen, heard, and celebrated.
Nominate yourself or someone you admire, whose courage, creativity, and consistency are shaping change. Because every small step can become the next step towards a more meaningful world.
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