Anne Lan was born in Limousin, France, to parents who were country doctors. Lan moved to Paris to pursue higher education, however she decided to begin a professional painting career instead. Being of French and Vietnamese descent (by her mother and father respectively), she has integrated both cultures into her art.

Since 1978, Lan has had a number of one woman shows in Paris, and other areas of France, as well as international shows. She has exhibited in Berlin, in Libreville, Gabon, and at Art Expos in Los Angeles and New York. She also exhibited in Switzerland, and in Osaka, where she received the Gold Medal at the International Festival. She has also received the Bronze Medal of the city of Paris, the Silver Medal of Art, Sciences and Letters, the Steiss Sarrouy Violet prize, the Jury Bernay prize, and many others. Lan has won many awards highlighting the achievements of her extraordinary career.