Cover The second instalment of the Lam Giau Voi Ma series returns with a story of inheritance disputes told with both humour and depth

Part two of the Lam Giau Voi Ma series is more than just a comedy about property quarrels. Under the direction of Trung Lun, moments of laughter serve as a mirror reflecting the darker corners of human nature.

Vietnamese commercial cinema has endured its share of highs and lows, yet one thing is unchanged: audiences continue to seek experiences that feel both intimate and absorbing enough to keep them in their seats. Lam Giau Voi Ma: Cuoc Chien Hot Xoan answers that desire. Building on the success of the first film, Trung Lun resists the safe route and instead elevates every detail from narrative structure and casting to production scale and editing rhythm. The outcome is a work that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, encouraging audiences not only to laugh but also to ponder how quickly greed can corrode friendship and family bonds.

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Not content with surface-level comedy, Cuoc Chien Hot Xoan broadens its scope with a fierce battle over a diamond ring valued at nine billion VND. Beneath the mind games, scuffles and frenetic chases, each character is forced to confront a choice: preserve their dignity or sacrifice everything for money. It is here that the film achieves a fine equilibrium between amusement and biting satire.

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Above Cuoc Chien Hot Xoan broadens its scope with a fierce battle over a diamond ring valued at nine billion VND

Director Trung Lun has long been admired for his storytelling flair, and here he demonstrates that his signature charm can coexist with rapid action. The humour is never overplayed but carefully placed, allowing audiences to relax without losing the momentum of the plot. Swift editing, meticulous set design and considered lighting infuse the film with a modern sensibility, while retaining the warmth that defines Vietnamese cinema. In this way, laughter evolves from mere entertainment into an artistic device, underscoring a timeless truth: greed carries a cost.

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Above Lam Giau Voi Ma Director Trung Lun

Beyond its technical merits, the real draw of Lam Giau Voi Ma: Cuoc Chien Hot Xoan lies in its cast. The presence of Meritorious Artist Hoai Linh acts as an anchor, lending the film its balance. After many years on stage and screen, he continues to master comic timing, crafting refined performances without ever appearing self-conscious. At the height of his career, Hoai Linh offers reassurance to his younger colleagues while reminding viewers that his star power remains undimmed.

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Tuan Tran brings a new dimension. If in the first part he was still constrained by a familiar image, then in the sequel, the role of Minh Gon marks a distinct transformation. From appearance to voice, with a medical jaw giving a different tone, everything reflects a serious commitment. His eyes, expressions and measured restraint lend the character many layers, showing that Tuan Tran is steadily forging his own style on the big screen.

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Above Lam Giau Voi Ma Actor Hoai Linh
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Above Lam Giau Voi Ma Actor Tuan Tran

Vo Tan Phat, in a role rarely seen in Vietnamese cinema, emerges as an unexpected highlight. He leaves an impression not only through his distinctive character in Lam Giau Voi Ma: Cuoc Chien Hot Xoan, but also through his willingness to take on demanding action scenes.

Another welcome surprise is Ngoc Xuan. Affectionately called the “new muse” of Vietnamese cinema by audiences, she chose not a safe role but the challenge of portraying… a corpse. This was no small feat: acting with almost no dialogue, limited movement, yet requiring subtle control of expression. The mental strain did not diminish her natural charm; instead, it added a distinctive quality to her performance.

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Above Lam Giau Voi Ma Actor Vo Tan Phat
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Above Lam Giau Voi Ma Actress Ngoc Xuan

It would be remiss not to mention Diep Bao Ngoc. Taking on a villain for the first time, she cast aside her gentle persona to transform into a cold, calculating female robber. This reinvention allows audiences to witness a very different Diep Bao Ngoc: daring, sharp-edged and layered with inner conflict.

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Above Lam Giau Voi Ma Actress Diep Bao Ngoc
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Above This new transformation allows audiences to see a completely different Diep Bao Ngoc in the film industry

With all these elements, Lam Giau Voi Ma: Cuoc Chien Hot Xoan is more than holiday entertainment. It also serves as a subtle reminder of life’s other side. The nine-billion ring is a symbol, but what surrounds it reflects universal experiences in modern society: temptation, moral boundaries, and the pursuit of wealth without sacrifice. In this, Cuoc Chien Hot Xoan asserts its worth: a commercial film that entertains while provoking reflection.


Lam Giau Voi Ma: Cuoc Chien Hot Xoan, produced by Bluebells Studios and distributed by Galaxy Studio, is set for release on 29 August 2025.

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