The film "Legend of the Night Marsh" brings a breath of fresh air to the Lunar New Year film race.

After more than 8 months of production, Hanoi Radio and Television Station has just announced that the film "Legend of Da Trach" will be released nationwide during the Lunar New Year of 2026. The film explores historical and cultural elements, recreating the life of ancient Vietnamese people during the Hung King era and the love story of Chu Dong Tu and Tien Dung.

The film "Legend of Dạ Trạch" draws on historical and cultural elements, recreating aspects of the life of ancient Vietnamese people living along the Red River.

Recreating the immortal love story of the nation-building era.

The film "Legend of Dạ Trạch" is a historical-romantic feature film produced by Hanoi Radio and Television, inspired by the legend of Chử Đồng Tử - one of the four immortal saints of Vietnamese religious culture (along with Tản Viên Sơn Thánh, Phù Đổng Thiên Vương, and Thánh Mẫu Liễu Hạnh).

Saint Chu Dong Tu is a symbol of filial piety, kindness, and the aspiration to become wealthy and prosperous through commerce. He is worshipped in temples in many places throughout the country. His main temple is currently located in Chu Xa, in the former Van Duc commune of Gia Lam district (now Kim Duc commune, Hanoi).

The portrayal of Chu Dong Tu in the film "Huyen Tinh Da Trach".

The film recreates the immortal and unique love story between Princess Tien Dung and the poor young man Chu Dong Tu, who only had a loincloth to cover himself. They overcame prejudice and discrimination to love each other and build a life by the Red River.

The film recreates the working and fighting activities of the ancient Vietnamese people during the time of the Hung Kings' founding of the nation.

Against the backdrop of ancient Vietnamese communities exploring, building, and protecting their living spaces, two free-spirited, ambitious individuals, daring to transcend the boundaries of social status and class order, fell passionately in love, thereby transforming an entire community and creating one of the greatest love stories in Vietnamese legend.

The portrayal of Princess Tien Dung in the film.

In the film "Legend of the Night Marsh," love is not the sole destination, but becomes the origin of a sustainable cultural foundation and community. Throughout the journey of establishing a livelihood, struggling for survival, and mastering nature during the founding of the nation by the people of Van Lang, Chu Dong Tu emerges as a symbol of a pioneer, leading the people, representing a love that is not possessive or coercive, but rather spreads through fairness, compassion, and the will to create a prosperous life.

The role of Princess Tien Dung is played by young actress Le Tran Thanh Tam.

Folk legends are harmoniously combined with historical and cultural elements, creating an epic in a transitional period of ancient Vietnamese history, where personal love intertwines with national aspirations at the dawn of history, along with the struggle to protect the living space from natural disasters and foreign invaders in the early days of nation-building.

The film "Mysterious Night Love" will have early screenings on February 6th and officially premiere in theaters nationwide from February 10th (23rd day of the 12th lunar month), coinciding with the Lunar New Year 2026 and Valentine's Day (February 14th).

A surprise of the Lunar New Year film season.

As is customary every year, Lunar New Year films often explore themes of family psychology, emotions, and generational conflict—a familiar formula that is usually successful because it easily resonates with the feelings of togetherness and closeness of Vietnamese audiences. "The Legend of Dạ Trạch" has breathed new life into this year's Lunar New Year film program by bringing the love story of Chử Đồng Tử and Tiên Dung, along with elements of Đông Sơn culture, to the big screen for the first time.

The customs, costumes, and festivals of ancient Vietnamese people are recreated in the film.

With the addition of "Legend of the Night Marsh," this year's Lunar New Year film race has become richer and more diverse, creating a more vibrant and unpredictable competition in terms of revenue.

Besides its entertainment value, the film gives viewers the opportunity to experience a journey back to the sacred cultural roots of the nation right in the early days of the new year, filled with the warmth of brotherhood, as one character in the film says: "Where there is land, water, and human kindness, that is home."

The film features many famous artists and actors. Pictured is the role played by Meritorious Artist Nguyen Chieu Xuan.

"The Legend of Dạ Trạch" is a film and also a cultural and artistic project that contributes to spreading national identity values ​​in the contemporary context. For any Vietnamese person, the stories and values ​​forged over thousands of years of national history remain a source of deep, enduring pride and have a greater impact than any image from outside.

General Director of Hanoi Radio and Television Station Nguyen Kim Khiem

The film offers viewers a vivid glimpse into the living spaces of ancient Vietnamese people during the Van Lang period and pre-Dong Son cultural elements, from traditional rituals such as tattooing, silkworm hunting, wrestling, and folk beliefs, to handicrafts such as bronze casting, weapon making, shipbuilding, pottery, agriculture , and irrigation.

The film was shot in various locations with beautiful scenery along the Red River.

The film was shot in many locations with unique scenic and cultural value. Many scenes were filmed directly in Chử Xá (Kim Đức commune, Hanoi) – the birthplace of Chử Đồng Tử – and the Dạ Trạch swamp area (Khoái Châu, Hưng Yên ), which is associated with the true legend of the two main characters, Chử Đồng Tử and Tiên Dung.

The release and screening of the film "Legend of the Night Marsh" in theaters nationwide during the Lunar New Year of 2026 was a surprise, as Hanoi Radio and Television had previously kept the release date a secret, creating excitement among audiences across the country.

A scene from the film "Legend of the Night Marsh".

Traditional historical education through film.

General Director of Hanoi Radio and Television Station Nguyen Kim Khiem shared: ““The Legend of Da Trach” is a feature film and also a cultural and artistic project, contributing to spreading national identity values ​​in the contemporary context. Through this project, Hanoi Radio and Television Station continues to affirm its role as a reputable and pioneering producer, accompanying the strategy of developing the cultural industry in the spirit of Resolution 09-NQ/TU of the Hanoi City Party Committee and Decision No. 2486/QD-TTg dated November 14, 2025 of the Prime Minister.”

The film crew attempted to recreate the image of ancient Vietnamese people as authentically as possible, with the advice of cultural, historical, and archaeological researchers.

According to Mr. Nguyen Kim Khiem: "For any Vietnamese person, the stories and values ​​forged over thousands of years of national history remain a source of deep, enduring pride and have a greater impact than any image from outside."

When developing film projects about Vietnamese history and culture, Hanoi Radio and Television Station hopes that the public, especially the younger generation, can visualize clearly what their ancestors created, and the historical and cultural space of the Vietnamese people.

The film recreates the living spaces of ancient Vietnamese communities during the nation-building period.

History itself is not dry; the issue lies in how it is conveyed. Vietnam has a long, rich, and proud history, no less significant than that of any other country in the region or the world. However, how can we tell our own stories in a captivating, vivid, and impactful way, similar to how countries with developed cultural industries like South Korea, China, and the United States have done and continue to do?

Besides its emotionally rich and sacred story perfectly suited to the atmosphere of the Lunar New Year, the film "Legend of the Night Marsh" also attracts attention due to its cast of talented actors and dedicated creative team. Young director Ton Van (who previously directed parts of the film series: "For the Love of Hanoi - Hanoi in My Eyes"), screenwriter Vu Liem (known for films such as "Investigation Team No. 7," "The Lone Path," "Black Drug," etc.), and art director Nguyen Thanh Phong were entrusted with the responsibility of making the film.

An ancient Vietnamese weapon is recreated in the film.

Many ancient artifacts and musical instruments have been reconstructed based on archaeological research.

The film features a cast of experienced actors, including People's Artists Nguyen Trong Trinh and Bui Bai Binh; Meritorious Artists Van Bau and Nguyen Chieu Xuan; and other artists and actors such as Viet Lien, Nguyen Xuan Phuc (as Chu Dong Tu), Le Tran Thanh Tam (as Tien Dung), Hoang Kim Ngoc, Minh Tiep, Tran Trung Kien, Nguyen Bao Anh, Truong Minh Hoang, Lam Vy Da, and Hua Minh Dat…

The film "Legend of the Night Marsh" will have an early screening on February 6th and officially premiere in theaters nationwide from February 10th (23rd day of the 12th lunar month), coinciding with the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026 and Valentine's Day (February 14th).

Trailer for the film "Legend of the Night Marsh" by Hanoi Radio and Television Station.

HAPPINESS AND PEACE

Source: https://nhandan.vn/phim-dien-anh-huyen-tinh-da-trach-thoi-lan-gio-moi-vao-duong-dua-phim-tet-post938125.html