"The Legend of Dạ Trạch":

Officially released in theaters nationwide from February 10th, "Legend of the Night Marsh" opens up a new approach for Vietnamese films in exploring history, culture, and national identity.

The film conveys many unique aspects of ancient Vietnamese culture.

Rich in cultural and folk values.

"The Legend of Dạ Trạch," directed by Tôn Văn and produced by Hanoi Radio and Television, is a historical-romantic drama. The film is inspired by the legend of Chử Đồng Tử – one of the four immortal saints in Vietnamese folklore: Chử Đồng Tử, Mẫu Liễu Hạnh, Tản Viên Sơn Thánh, and Thánh Gióng. Chử Đồng Tử is a symbol of filial piety, kindness, and the aspiration to become wealthy through commerce.

The film recreates the famous love story, passed down through millennia, between Princess Tien Dung and the poor young man Chu Dong Tu, whose filial piety led him to bury his only loincloth with his father, leaving himself naked. Against the backdrop of ancient Vietnamese communities exploring, building, and protecting their living spaces, these two free-spirited and ambitious individuals overcame prejudice and class distinctions to become husband and wife. Together, they taught the people how to cultivate swamps, develop silkworm farming, and expand trade.

In "The Legend of Dạ Trạch," love transcends personal emotions and becomes the foundation for a sustainable culture and community. The film unfolds the journey of the Văn Lang people in establishing their livelihoods, struggling for survival, and mastering nature, where Chử Đồng Tử emerges as a pioneer, leading the community with compassion, fairness, and a desire to create a prosperous life.

Launched in April 2025, the film brings together a talented and experienced creative team, including director Ton Van, screenwriter Vu Liem, and visual artist Nguyen Thanh Phong… The appeal of “Legend of Da Trach” lies in its cast of beloved actors such as Nguyen Xuan Phuc (playing Chu Dong Tu), Le Tran Thanh Tam (playing Tien Dung), and veteran artists: People's Artist Trong Trinh, People's Artist Bui Bai Binh, Meritorious Artist Van Bau, Meritorious Artist Chieu Xuan...

The film was shot in many unique locations in the Northern region of Vietnam. Many scenes were filmed directly in Chử Xá (now Bát Tràng commune, Hanoi) – the birthplace of Chử Đồng Tử – and the Dạ Trạch wetland area ( Hưng Yên province), associated with the legend of the love story between Chử Đồng Tử and Tiên Dung. Watching the film, viewers also gain a vivid insight into the living space of the Vietnamese people during the Văn Lang period and pre-Đông Sơn cultural elements through customs such as tattooing, wrestling, folk beliefs, and handicrafts like bronze casting, weapon making, boat building, and pottery making.

To ensure the high degree of authenticity regarding the Dong Son culture and the Hung King era, director Ton Van stated that the film crew spent considerable time researching and collecting over 20,000 images of archaeological artifacts from museums both domestically and internationally. They also organized numerous in-depth seminars and consulted with historians and archaeologists during the scriptwriting, character design, and setting development process.

Spreading cultural identity in a contemporary context.

Regarding the bold decision to release the film project "Legend of Dạ Trạch" in theaters, journalist Nguyễn Kim Khiêm, Director General of Hanoi Radio and Television Station, stated that this is a cultural and creative project that contributes to spreading national identity values in the contemporary context. When developing film projects about Vietnamese history and culture, Hanoi Radio and Television Station hopes that the public, especially the younger generation, can visualize more vividly and realistically the historical and cultural space created by their ancestors.

"National history is not dry at all; the issue lies in how to convey and retell those stories in an engaging, vivid way that suits the tastes of today's audience, thereby arousing pride and a sense of preserving and continuing traditions," journalist Nguyen Kim Khiem expressed.

Through this project, Hanoi Radio and Television also affirms its role as an active producer participating in the field of theatrical films, alongside its established reputation in television programs and dramas. The bold decision to release a feature film in theaters during Tet 2026 also demonstrates a direction towards expanding creative space, contributing to the development of the cultural industry in accordance with Resolution No. 09-NQ/TU of the Hanoi City Party Committee on “Developing the cultural industry in the Capital City in the period 2021-2025, orientation to 2030, vision to 2045” and Decision No. 2486/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister approving the “Strategy for the development of Vietnam's cultural industries to 2030, vision to 2045”.

In the context of the Lunar New Year film season in recent years, which has mainly revolved around themes of family psychology and modern romance, "Legend of the Night Marsh" offers a different perspective to the audience, taking them back to their roots and connecting them with national history and culture. The film also becomes the second work from the North, alongside "The Scent of Pho," to be included in the 2026 Lunar New Year film season, creating balance and diversity in the film market.

"Legend of Dạ Trạch" also opens up expectations for a more sustainable direction for Vietnamese cinema by exploring the treasure trove of national legends and history with contemporary cinematic thinking.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/huyen-tinh-da-trach-chuyen-tinh-chu-dong-tu-tien-dung-buoc-len-man-anh-rong-731270.html