Clips of the performer wiggling his belly and joking with visitors inside a large aquarium tank in Nha Trang have attracted thousands of likes online.
The man behind the viral videos is Le Nguyen Phong who now performs at a local aquarium. Standing 1.71 metres tall and weighing 108kg, he has become a humorous highlight of the underwater shows.
Phong said he came across the job by chance. In early January, he saw a recruitment post for a “fat merman” performer and decided to apply out of curiosity. He unexpectedly passed the selection rounds.
His distinctive appearance and natural performance style quickly caught the attention of visitors. Videos of his act have since spread widely online, drawing more people to the venue.
Phong leaves a deep impression on visitors during his performances (Photo: Provided by character).
Training 11 hours a day on a single breath
Behind the light-hearted performances lies an intense training routine. The 21-year-old spent up to 10 to 11 hours a day underwater during his first weeks, learning breath control and how to perform without oxygen tanks.
Born and raised in Nha Trang, Phong is no stranger to the sea. He learned to dive at a young age and previously worked as a diving guide for coral tours. However, he said performing as a merman is very different from conventional diving, where oxygen tanks allow extended time underwater.
In the early stages of training, he spent nearly the entire day in the water, taking only short breaks to eat before resuming practice.
One of the biggest challenges was adapting to the mermaid tail costume. With both legs tightly bound, he had to relearn how to move, relying on hip movements instead of normal swimming strokes.
“At first I felt panicked, like I had lost control of my body,” he said.
Giving up the oxygen tank was another hurdle. Each dive now depends on a single breath, requiring careful control of breathing and energy while performing.
“Before, diving with an oxygen tank felt comfortable. Now I have to take one breath and perform while managing it, which was difficult at first,” he said.
After training, Phong can hold his breath for about 30 to 40 seconds per dive. His comedic movements, such as flips and exaggerated belly shakes, often make him run out of air faster than his colleagues.
Phong performs a belly wiggle (Photo: Provided by character).
A more stable income under the sea
Phong performs twice daily, at around 11.30 am and 4.30 pm. Before each show, he and fellow performers prepare costumes, check equipment and warm up.
The performances follow a fairy-tale theme featuring a princess and a prince, followed by freestyle interaction with the audience. This is when Phong’s personality stands out most.
Rather than complex choreography, he relies on humour, waving at spectators, teasing fellow performers and engaging children watching through the glass. His antics often spark laughter and excitement among younger visitors.
From inside the tank, however, he cannot clearly see individual faces due to lighting differences. “Outside is dark while the tank is bright, so I cannot see faces clearly. But when children jump and wave, I know they are happy,” he said.
Sound is also muted underwater, forcing performers to rely on visual cues to keep time. Safety divers remain on standby in case of emergencies.
Growing up in the coastal area of Nha Trang City, Phong independently explored, learned, and became accustomed to diving (Photo: Provided by character).
Unlike many performance jobs that require strict physical standards, Phong said his role comes with fewer restrictions. “I can eat normally, there is no strict diet,” he added.
