Vietnamese cinema marks a new milestone with the blockbuster “Tu Chien Tren Khong”

Also spotted at the premiere were director Charlie Nguyen; producer Thanh Thuy with her husband, director Duc Thinh; directors Diep The Vinh, Phan Gia Nhat Linh, Le Hoang and Huynh Lap; Meritorious Artists Trong Hai and Kim Tuyen; director-producer duo Thu Trang and Tien Luat; and a galaxy of actors including Hua Vi Van, Do Nhat Hoang, Ha Anh, Steven Nguyen, Dinh Khang, Lam Thanh Nha, Luong Gia Huy, Lam Vy Da, Ngoc Trai, Lanh Thanh, Ho Thu Anh, Le Xuan Tien, Quoc Huy, Le Phuong, Thuan Nguyen, Ly Nha Ky, Truc Anh, Tran Nghia and Anh Pham. The list continued with Truong The Vinh, Cuong Seven, Pham Khanh Hung, Vu Ngoc Anh, Minh Hang, Dong Anh Quynh, Trang Phap, Thieu Bao Tram, Song Luan, Do Phu Quy and Nham Phuong Nam; as well as supermodel Ha Anh, Miss Vietnam 2024 Ha Truc Linh, Miss Ao Dai Vietnam 2016 Truong Dieu Ngoc, Miss World Vietnam Nguyen Bao Nhi and many more.

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The film Tu Chien Tren Khong was shown in IMAX®, its action sequences magnified to breathtaking effect. The audience felt like passengers on the flight themselves, caught in every suspenseful moment alongside the characters. With this achievement, the production became the first Vietnamese action film to conquer the IMAX® screen, a milestone that brings Vietnamese cinema closer to international standards.

Former flight attendant Ngo Kim Thanh shared: “I am honoured to be invited to the premiere of Tu Chien Tren Khong. I felt as though I were reliving the 52 minutes of breathtaking confrontation with the hijackers more than 40 years ago. The actors were outstanding, capturing all the tension of facing life and death. I have seen hijacking films, but this one is different because it recreates a real event – an unforgettable chapter in the history of Vietnamese aviation. Its release on the 80th anniversary of National Day makes it all the more meaningful. I was very moved.”

Former captain Pham Trung Nam said: “I too felt nervous watching the film. As someone who experienced the incident first-hand, it was especially meaningful. I am grateful to the film crew for bringing this story to audiences.”

Sharing his thoughts on the official release of Tu Chien Tren Khong, director Ham Tran explained: “The aircraft was recreated from a real plane, although we also had to combine it with CGI. The principal filming set was rebuilt to the correct proportions. I am grateful to all the actors, who trained intensively and performed their own action scenes without stunt doubles, ensuring the most authentic footage possible.”

After his role as guerrilla fighter Bay Theo in Tunnel: Sun in the Dark, actor Thai Hoa took on a transformative performance as the villain in Tu Chien Tren Khong. He reflected: “Each role is a different life. I am not afraid to take on contrasting characters, and I hope to bring many more stories and identities to Vietnamese cinema.”

Sitting next to Ms Ngo Kim Thanh, Kaity Nguyen shared her thoughts on stepping into the role of a former flight attendant: “I feel very fortunate to be part of Tu Chien Tren Khong. It is rare to play such a strong character, and one based on reality. I do not feel the need to prove my maturity, because I am surrounded by people who support me on every journey. What I must do is work harder, keep learning and continue to grow in my career.”

Actor Tran Ngoc Vang spoke about reuniting with Kaity Nguyen after their Tet film project: “For Trinh and Khanh to convey the bond of a newlywed couple, our previous collaboration helped Kaity and me to inhabit the roles more naturally, so the story and emotions became clearer. I always seek roles that are completely different from what I have done before. Trinh’s feelings for Khanh may resemble our chemistry in the earlier film, but the personality and character are entirely new. I am grateful to Ham Tran and the crew. Ham is almost the one who ‘kicks open the door of opportunity’, giving actors the chance to shine.”

Producer Nguyen Quoc Cong also spoke about the spirit of the crew during production: “As producers, we put our trust in one another and in the work we bring to audiences. We simply strive to create the best possible film, to contribute to the industry and serve viewers with sincerity.”

Responding to questions from the press, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Truong Giang explained: “This is not a story about the police force, but about the aviation security force, a unit transferred from the army and police to protect aviation safety when the industry was still in its infancy. The film pays tribute to their service at that time. The Appraisal Council determined the age classification based on levels of violence, language, theme and message. On that basis, the film was unanimously rated T16 (suitable for audiences aged 16 and above) to ensure viewers have the maturity to grasp the content, while still allowing the film to reach a wide audience.”

With an emotional red carpet premiere in Ho Chi Minh City, Tu Chien Tren Khong affirmed its place as a Vietnamese action blockbuster, with large-scale investment and an approach to filmmaking that edges closer to Hollywood standards. It also opened up expectations for a new chapter in domestic cinema. The film promises to deliver a flight of suspense and adrenaline, right up to the final moment.

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